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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

Last Updated December 19, 2024

This page has government and non-government resources for New Yorkers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 & HEALTHCARE

COVID-19 Alert Level

  • For updated information about COVID-19 transmission rates and guidance from NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

COVID-19 Free Test Kits

  • Every home in the U.S. can order four free sets of at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests from the federal government. There are no shipping costs and you don’t need to enter a credit card number.

Get a COVID-19 vaccine

  • Now Eligible: Anyone 6 months old and older can get a COVID-19 vaccine.
    • Parents or guardians must consent to have their child vaccinated. Children younger than 15 years must have an adult with them when they get vaccinated.
    • Workers get additional leave under CITY law to get their kids vaccinated. Workers get 4 additional hours of sick leave for EACH child; and EACH vaccine injection.
  • Vaccine bivalent booster shots are now available for New Yorkers ages 12 and older. These shots boost your immunity from an initial vaccination series.

Locations for COVID-19 testing

  • Find a testing site near you. You may have to pay for testing depending on the site.
  • Tests are free and no appointment is needed at NYC Health and Hospitals testing sites.
  • At-home testing is available for all immunocompromised residents and anyone 65 and older. Call 929-298-9400 to schedule an appointment.
  • You can also call 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319) for information about testing, medical advice, quarantining, mental health support, and more.

COVID-19 Treatment

  • Treatment for COVID-19 is available for people 12 and older who test positive for COVID-19.
  • There are two types of treatment: Oral antiviral pills and monoclonal antibodies.
  • If you test positive, call your health care provider to ask about treatment options. If you do not have a health care provider, call 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319).

NYC COVID-19 Citywide Information portal

Low-cost health insurance

  • You can enroll in public health insurance at any time.
  • GetCoveredNYC is a free service that helps you enroll in health insurance.
  • Every New Yorker can get health insurance regardless of immigration status. There are counselors to help you choose a plan.

Low-cost or free healthcare from NYC Care

  • NYC Care is a health care program that gives you access to a doctor and medical services at little or no cost.
  • You can get health care regardless of your immigration status or ability to pay.

Free mental health support from NYC Well

  • You can get mental health help regardless of insurance coverage or immigration status.
  • NYC Well is a confidential 24/7 helpline staffed by trained counselors. You can get counseling and referrals to care in over 200 languages.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Free Financial Counseling

  • If you are experiencing sudden changes to your household budget or income due to COVID-19, counselors from NYC Financial Empowerment Centers can help you:
    • Manage your money and set up a spending plan
    • Contact creditors about existing loans, including student loans
    • Draft letters to creditors to lower payments or temporarily suspend payments due to hardship

Unemployment insurance

  • You may be eligible for weekly payments if you lose your job.

Emergency cash grants (aka “One Shot Deal”) from HRA

  • You may be eligible for an emergency cash grant to:
    • pay back rent to avoid eviction
    • pay bills to maintain or restore utility service(s)
    • pay for moving expenses, security deposit vouchers, broker’s fees, or temporary storage for furniture and personal belongings

Free tax filing help from the City

  • You qualify for free tax filing with NYC Free Tax Prep if your family earned $80,000 or less or if you’re a single filer who earned $56,000 or less in 2022.
  • When you file your 2022 tax return, you might be eligible for a number of tax credits that can increase your refund or reduce the taxes that you owe:

Up to $9,000 per funeral related to COVID-19

  • You can get money from FEMA to pay for funeral expenses related to COVID-19.
  • The person who died did not have to be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or immigrant with satisfactory immigration status.

Burial Assistance

  • New Yorkers with low income may be eligible for financial help to pay for funeral expenses.
  • Assistance includes a burial allowance up to $1,700 and burial costs up to $3,400.
  • You can apply up to 120 days from the date of the individual‘s death.
  • All applications will be reviewed regardless of immigration status.

Federal student loan payments paused until June 30, 2023

EMPLOYMENT AND JOB TRAINING

Paid Safe and Sick Leave Updates

  • NYC employees have legal rights to paid and unpaid leave, including new rights provided by State and Federal laws related to COVID-19.
  • You can take unpaid and paid leave to care for yourself or family members impacted by COVID-19.

NYS Paid Family Leave

  • You may be eligible to take up to 12 weeks of paid time off to care for family.
  • Your job and health insurance benefits are protected when you’re on leave.

Find job services and resources on WorkingNYC

  • Browse free job and adult education programs and learn about eligibility criteria and how to apply for programs.

Learn new skills through the SUNY Online Training Center

  • Take a wide range of short and free online skill-building programs that will prepare you for a new job.
  • If you successfully complete a certificate and have a high school diploma, you’ll be eligible for automatic enrollment to any SUNY community college or SUNY Empire to continue to an associate or bachelor’s degree.

Access nearly 4,000 free training courses through Coursera

  • Grow or learn new skills in data science, business, and technology.
  • Request a free account through the NYS Department of Labor.

Apply for free training programs through NYC Small Business Services

  • Programs are available for jobs in technical, transportation, and healthcare fields.
  • To be eligible, you must be a NYC resident, be above 18 years old, be legally able to work in the US, and meet selective service requirements.

FOOD

Food pantries and soup kitchens near you

  • Find the nearest food pantry or soup kitchen. 

SNAP (food stamps)

  • You may be eligible for SNAP benefits to help pay for groceries.
  • You will receive a debit card with funds that you can use at many grocery stores including some online stores and farmer’s markets.
  • You can check your SNAP balance on your phone with the Providers app (not government operated).

Groceries from NeON Nutrition Kitchens

  • Visit a NeON Nutrition Kitchen to get free groceries. There is a Nutrition Kitchen in each borough.

Get free fruits and vegetables from CityHarvest

  • CityHarvest’s Mobile Markets provide fresh produce in the 5 boroughs.
  • Residents of certain zip codes and housing developments are eligible for free produce.

HOUSING

 

Money for homeowners at risk of default, foreclosure, or displacement

  • UPDATE: Applications are no longer accepted. You can sign up for a waiting list.
  • Homeowners may be eligible for up to $50,000 if they lost income or had increased expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To qualify, you must:
    • Own a home, co-op, or condo in New York State
    • Live in the home
    • Be in forbearance or late with payments including: mortgage, maintenance charges or HOA fees, property taxes, bills

Get assistance if you are at risk of becoming homeless

  • Homebase can help you develop a personalized plan to overcome an immediate housing crisis and achieve housing stability. You may be eligible for Homebase services if you:
    • Are at imminent risk of entering the New York City shelter system
    • Are low-income
    • Want to remain stably housed in your community

Affordable housing lotteries through NYC Housing Connect

  • Find an affordable rental unit near you and apply to its lottery. 

Free Affordable Housing Application Assistance

  • Ready to Rent, offered by the NYC Housing Preservation & Development, helps New Yorkers prepare to apply for affordable housing.
  • Get free financial counseling and assistance with affordable housing applications.

Address problems with your landlord using JustFix.NYC

  • JustFix.nyc provides tools to help you fight for a safe home.
  • You may use JustFix.nyc to send a letter to request repairs from your landlord.

Report housing search discrimination with Unlock NYC

  • Unlock NYC is a non-governmental tool that lets you learn about your rights and report landlords you believe are refusing housing vouchers to the NYC Human Rights Commission for potential intervention.

Help for survivors of gender-based and domestic violence

  • Survivors of sexual violence, human trafficking, stalking, and intimate partner and family violence can get free and confidential services at NYC Family Justice Centers (FJCs).
  • To get help with domestic violence, call 800-621-4673 for help from the NYC Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline. For the hearing impaired: TTY 866-604-5350.

INTERNET AND PHONE

Up to $30 discount per month for internet service

  • You might be eligible for a discount on internet service. Apply to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) today.

Up to $9.25 discount per month for telephone service

  • Lifeline is a federal program that offers a $9.25 monthly discount on phone or internet service to qualified low-income customers.

IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES

Free and safe legal help for immigrants

  • ActionNYC can screen you for free to see if you qualify for any immigration benefit.
  • You can also get free legal help from an experienced legal representative for immigration-related cases.
  • Services are offered in your language.
  • You are eligible if you’re an immigrant living in New York City, regardless of your documented status.
  • Call the ActionNYC hotline at 800-354-0365.

Get an IDNYC card

  • You can enroll for IDNYC, a free ID card from the city, if you are age 10 or above. Having an ID card allows you to apply for NYC government services and benefits.

Additional Resources for Immigrant Communities

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES 

View COVID-19 Resources for People with Disabilities

  • A list of city resources for food, social services, and more.

Get free financial counseling through EmpoweredNYC

  • Get help managing your SSI or SSDI benefits, tackle SSA overpayments, and transition to work.
  • EmpoweredNYC sessions will be conducted over the phone.

Citywide accessible dispatch program

  • Request a wheelchair accessible yellow and green taxi from anywhere in the five boroughs.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

More resources from the City of New York

Last Updated December 19, 2024

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