Covid 19 Guide

We Get it!

This COVID-19 crisis is a lot to take in.  There are so many unknowns.

This guide was created to help make it a little easier to quickly find the help you need.

Whether you need food, a job or just some help with your bills, it’s all here.

If you know of other resources that we should add to the list, let us know at [email protected].

Emergency Information

IF YOU THINK YOU COULD HAVE COVID-19: Call 682-236-7601 (24/7) to speak with a Texas Health Resources nurse.

LOCATE A COVID-19 TESTING CENTER:  https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8bf7c6a436a64bfe9a5ce25be580e4ff&extent=-12201973.8228%2C2963904.7537%2C-9071113.1443%2C4455955.5458%2C102100 

COVID-19 DISASTER DISTRESS HELPLINE: 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to “66746” (24/7)

LOCAL COVID-19 HELPLINES 

  • ALLEN: The Allen Fire Department has setup a coronavirus helpline at 214-509-4333. The helpline is staffed from 7:00am-11:00pm by Allen Fire Department Paramedics who can answer coronavirus related questions.
  • COLLIN: 211, Select Option 6
  • DALLAS: 972-692-2780
  • DENTON: 940-349-2585
  • TARRANT: 817-248-6299 

GENERAL HELPLINES 

If you need immediate help with an emergency situation, DIAL 9-1-1. 

  • ALCOHOL & DRUG HELPLINE: Call 800-662-4357 (HELP) (24/7), English and Spanish
  • CRISIS TEXT LINE: Text “HELLO” to 741741 (24/7)
  • EATING DISORDER HELPLINE: 1-800-931-2237, -Thurs. 9:00am–9:00pm, Fri. 9:00am–5:00pm (EST)
  • MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HOTLINE: 1-877-422-5939
  • MILITARY HELPLINE: 1-888-457-4838(24/7/365) Support for service members, veterans, and their families
  • PARENT HELPLINE: 1-855-427-2736
  • RUNAWAY SAFELINE: 1-800-786-2929
  • SENIORS & ADULTS LIVING WITH DIsABILITIES FRIENDSHIP LINE: 1-800-971-0016
  • SUICIDE HOTLINE: 1-800-273-8255(24/7) 

ABUSE/VIOLENCE HELPLINES 

  • CHILD ABUSE (TEXAS HOTLINE): 1-800-252-5400
  • DOMESTIC ABUSE HOTLINE: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) 24/7
  • HUMAN TRAFFICKING RESOURCE CENTER: 1-888-373-7888 24/7or text “HELP” or “INFO” to 233733
  • SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE: 1-800-656-HOPE 24/7
  • TEEN DATING VIOLENCE HOTLINE: 1-866-331-9474 (24/7), Text “loveis” to “22522”

LGBTQ HELPLINES 

  • LGBT SUICIDE LIFELINE: 1-866-488-7386
  • LGBT YOUTH TALKLINE: 1-800-246-PRIDE (7743)
  • TRANS LIFELINE: 1-877-565-8860 (24/7) 

COVID-19 GENERAL INFORMATION/HELP

GENERAL INFORMATION

NEED HELP WITH MONTHLY BILLS?

CARES ACT FUNDING: WANT $10,000?  GET UP TO $10,000 FROM YOUR GOVERNMENT  

GENERAL – ALL BILLS: https://www.needhelppayingbills.com 

CAR PAYMENTS

Many auto finance companies are offering flexible payment options. If your finance company is not listed below, contact your provider see if they are offering flexible payment arrangements and/or payment extensions for those impacted by COVID-19. 

HOUSING – MORTGAGE/FORECLOSURE 

If you cannot pay your rent or mortgage on time, you should contact your lender or landlord to let them know about your financial situation. Below are a few resources (local and state level) to help.

  • AFFORDABLE HOUSING: There may be vouchers fromTexas Health and Human Services Commission to assist those in need with paying their rent. You’ll also find information about government assistance with other needs, including lease application fees, information on low-income housing and security deposits. Dial 1-877-541-7905 to find additional ways to get rent help.
  • HUD COUNSELING: Many HUD-approved counseling agencies in Texas are providing free foreclosure counseling, including expert assistance on avoiding foreclosure and advice on which programs and options an individual qualifies given their specific situation.
  • HUD HOMEOWNERSHIP ASSISTANCE: Texas offers programsthat can help you with paying your mortgage and also avoid foreclosure. Local resources, including government and non-profit assistance, can help qualified homeowners.
  • TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS: Call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) for foreclosure prevention resources 

MORTGAGE SUPPORT

PHONE/INTERNET 

RENT/EVICTIONS

STUDENT LOANS

TAX RELIEF 

UTILITY BILLS 

Many utility providers are offering flexible payments and are suspending collections and service disconnections. If you need help, check with your provider for details. Here are a few of the programs offered. 

  • ATMOS: will work with you to prevent water service disconnects and set up a payment plan,  but you must call 888-286-6700, https://www.atmosenergy.com/customer-service/get-help-paying-your-bill
  • COSERV: https://www.coserv.com/About/COVID-19
  • CONSTELLATION, ATLANTIC CITY ENERGY, BGE, COMED, DELMARVA POWER, PECO) are offering deferred payment plans, but customers must call 866-917-8271. Exelon has also committed to donating $1.5 million to local and national COVID-19 relief efforts.
  • TEXAS COVID-19 ELECTRICITY RELIEF PROGRAM: The COVID-19 Electricity Relief Program temporarily keeps Retail Electric Providers in the parts of Texas open to customer choice from disconnecting electricity for customers who can’t pay their whole bill because of serious financial troubles caused by COVID-19. https://www.txcovid19erp.org
  • COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (CEAP): If you reside in Collin, Cooke, Denton, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt or Rockwall county and meet eligibility requirements, Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG@texomacog) can provide utility assistance for co-payment of electric, gas and/or propane bills. Applications can be submitted online attcog.com/energy/apply Applications cannot be processed without ALL requested documentation and can take up to 28 days to process. https://www.tcog.com/energy-services/#apply
  • TXU ENERGY: is waiving late fees, extending payment due dates with no down payment required, reducing down payments and deferring balances over five equal installments. TXU customers can also receive additional bill-payment assistance through its TXU Energy Aid SM program 1-800-242-9113 https://www.txu.com/help-center/covid-19.aspx 

INCOME RESOURCES

CARES ACT FUNDING: WANT $10,000 GET UP TO $10 FROM YOUR GOVERNMENT?  

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE- EMPLOYMENT 

  •  FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT: If you are an employee who must stay home to care for minor children whose schools or care providers are unavailable due to COVID-19, some employers may be required to temporarily extend Family and Medical Leave Act  (FMLA) benefits to accommodate.  Specific information  can be found here. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fmla/pandemic    
  • SICK LEAVE BENEFIT: If  your ability to work has been impacted by COVID-19,  you may qualify for paid sick leave http://d31hzlhk6di2h5.cloudfront.net/20200318/da/6f/10/8e/017f5f363afcb9dc8a5b03c8/Coronavirus_Paid_Leave_Memo_2.0.pdf
  • UNEMPLOYMENT – (REGULAR) UNEMPLOYMENT: Anyone who has lost their job, has had reduced hours, due to coronavirus, has had to take time off to self-quarantine or care for a sick relative (and do not get paid sick time from work), contact Texas Workforce Commission at 800-939-6631 from 8am- 6pm, Monday – Friday or visit the TWC website to find more info or apply for Unemployment Insurance 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE – ALL      

If you have lost income due to COVID-19, your income may qualify for help with things like food, rent, utilities, etc. Additionally, many local charities have new grants specifically to help families struggling with COVID-19. Below are a few agencies in the larger Collin County cities.    

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE – FOOD & BEVERAGE/RESTAURANT/HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY  

RESTAURANT OPPORTUNITIES UNITED: https://rocunited.org  

ANOTHER ROUND, ANOTHER RALLY FUND: Is offering $500 relief grants for hospitality workers who lost their jobs or had their hours cut due to COVID-19. https://airtable.com/shrGnfOGraPN9XZkN 

APPLEBEE’S EMERGENCY SUPPORT FB GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/applebees/ 

 

CHILI’S EMERGENCY SUPPORT FB GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/313931222904991/ 

CORE GIVES: CORE grants support to children of food and beverage service employees navigating life-altering circumstances. https://coregives.org

GO TIP ‘EM!:  Share a photo of your evening’s home beer, wine, spirit or cocktail on the social media channel of your choice. Use #gotipem. Then select your favorite (or random) bartender from this list. Tip a $1, $2, $5 or any amount to that bartender’s preferred mobile payment service. https://gotipem.com   

IHOP Emergency Support FB GROUP  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2573648942877499/ 

LIFT YOUR SPIRITS FUND: Make a video mixing your favorite drink, say a toast to those affected in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry, and post it to your social media accounts using #LiftYourSpirits.  Then challenge your friends to do the same and to send a gift to the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. Your gift will then be donated to restaurant, foodservice and hospitality workers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. https://www.liftyourspirits.org/grant/ 

HORIZON BEVERAGE COVID RESOURCE LIST  https://www.horizonbeverage.com/covid-19-industry-funds 

ONE FAIR WAGE EMERGENCY FUND: Providing free, cash assistance to restaurant workers, delivery drivers and other tipped workers and service workers – who have lost income because of COVID-19. OFW Emergency Fund  

RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE RELIEF FUND: $500 Grant – apply here. https://rerf.us/apply-for-aid/  

RWCF CRISIS RELIEF FUND: A crisis relief fund to direct money to organizations leading on-the-ground efforts in the restaurant community, to provide zero-interest loans to businesses to maintain payroll during closure or re-open once this crisis has passed, and to establish a relief fund for individual workers facing economic hardships or health crises as a direct result of COVID-19. https://www.restaurantworkerscf.org/news/2020/3/15/resources-for-restaurants-and-workers-coping-with-the-covid-19-emergency.   

UNITED STATES BARTENDERS’ GUILD – BARTENDER EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE: available to all bartenders or the spouse or child of a bartender. USBG Emergency Fund. https://www.usbgfoundation.org/beap 

 LOAN  

DISASTER LOAN ASSISTANCE. You can apply online or  by mail. For more info call 1-800-659-2955 or e-mail [email protected]ov. Here’s an overview of the three-step process for Disaster Loanshttps://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Three_Step_Process_SBA_Disaster_Loans.pdf 

FOOD RESOURCES

FOODPANTRIES.ORG

GROCERY DELIVERY – ALLEN/PLANO SENIORS & PERSONS AT RISK

STUDENT MEALS

JOB SEEKERS

COMPANIES HIRING NOW

33 COMPANIES HIRING: (as of 4/14/20) https://finance.yahoo.com/news/24-major-u-companies-hiring-200430718.html

JOB SEARCH RESOURCES 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES – FOOD & BEVERAGE/RESTAURANT/HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY

  • ATTA – SERVICE INDUSTRY JOB BOARD Job board to match displaced servers, bussers, bartenders, cook, etc. with work to tide them over during the crisis. https://www.facebook.com/groups/229792644832739/
  • GET SHIFT DONE connects food/beverage workers with short-term jobs with non-profits in need of help. https://www.getshiftdone.org/
  • RESTAURANT OPPORTUNITIES CENTERS UNITED RELIEF: https://rocunited.org/relief/application/

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES https://www.restaurantworkerscf.org/news/2020/3/15/resources-for-restaurants-and-workers-coping-with-the-covid-19-emergency

LEARN A NEW SKILL

HEALTH & WELLNESS

FITNESS

GENERAL

MENTAL HEALTH

  • LIFEPATH: Call 972-422-5939 to schedule a service.  Their crisis line is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week—if you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact 1-877-422-5939.. They are helping with housing and utilities as well. 

STUDENT RESOURCES

ONLINE LEARNING

  • BRAINLY: Brainly is a free online knowledge-sharing community where 150 million students and experts put their heads together to crack their toughest homework questions. https://brainly.com
  • KHAN ACADEMY: Free online learning assistance by course. https://www.khanacademy.org

FOOD

  • STUDENT MEALS – SEE FOOD SECTION

STORAGE

  • COLLEGE STUDENT STORAGE U-Haul offer of limited free self-storage for college students. https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/u-haul-offering-limited-free-self-storage-to-college-students/97-b22a6d68-bf9d-4a49-91b2-115c78d6fd20?fbclid=IwAR3CJazPieUxHdSjKGkOAJV4LzXFEllzMDWjN4Wmf6PO-RmnVGoohWwUweESTUDENT LOANS – 90 DAY EXTENSION

STUDENT LOANS

  • STUDENT LOANS – 60 DAY EXTENSION On March 20, 2020, theS. Department of Education announced that all borrowers with federally held student loans will automatically have their interest rates set to 0% for a period of at least 60 days. In addition, each of these borrowers will have the option to suspend their payments for at least two months. This allows borrowers to temporarily stop payments, without accruing interest. To do this, contact your loan servicer and put in a request to suspend. Visit StudentAid.gov/coronavirus for additional details.

TECHNOLOGY

  • COMCAST: Low-income families in the Comcast service area can sign up for 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service, normally available to all qualified low-income households $9.95/month. Comcast is also increasing Internet speeds for the Internet Essentials service for new and existing customers. To sign up visit internetessentials.com or call 1-855-846-8376 for English and 1-855-765-6995 for Spanish. For additional information, visit Comcast Increases Access to and Speeds of Internet Essentials to Support Americans Through Coronavirus Pandemic.
  • KAJEET: Offers Smartspot as a product offering and they have the ability to connect to 6 different 4G LTE networks, which is a filtered hotspot. For more information and pricing: Kajeet Smartspot Plans Kajeet Distance Learning Bundle
  • SPECTRUM: Beginning March 16, Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription. Installation fees waived for new student households. Call 1-844-488-8395 for more information.
  • SPRINT: offers a program called Sprint for ConnectED. We are not sure how long it would take to execute and obtain the devices. Sprint for ConnectED FAQ
  • SUDDENLINK: For households with K-12 and/or college students who may be displaced due to school closures and who do not currently have home internet access, Altice USA is offering its Altice Advantage 30 Mbps broadband solution for free for 60 days to new customer households within our footprint. Eligible households interested in this solution can call 888-633-0030 to enroll in the Suddenlink region, which includes Texas.

PARENT RESOURCES

MISC. OTHER