When an Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19

Suffolk County Health Department will investigate positive cases. We understand that employers may want to reach out to their employees before our investigation is complete.

If an employee reports a positive test to their employer, you should consider the following:

Was this person on-site when symptomatic or 48 hours before symptoms started?

If the answer is yes, the individual with a positive test result should identify who they were in close contact with while symptomatic. New York State defines a close contact as being within 6 feet of a person displaying symptoms of COVID-2019 or someone who has tested positive of COVID-2019. The contact should be ten minutes or more.

The employer should notify the individuals who were identified by the employee who tested positive.

The employer should also disinfect the work space:

CDC Guidance on disinfecting:

Hard (Non-porous) Surfaces

• If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
• For disinfection, most common EPA-registered household disinfectants should be effective.
  • A list of products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 is available on the EPA website. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products for concentration, application method and contact time, etc.
  • Additionally, diluted household bleach solutions (at least 1000ppm sodium hypochlorite) can be used if appropriate for the surface. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application, ensuring a contact time of at least one minute, and allowing proper ventilation during and after application. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.
  • Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted. Prepare a bleach solution by mixing:
    • 5 tablespoons (1/3 cup) bleach per gallon of water or
    • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water

Soft (Porous) Surfaces

• For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning:
  • If the items can be laundered, launder items in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and then dry items completely.
  • Otherwise, use products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19 and that are suitable for porous surfaces

We hope this information is helpful. We appreciate your assistance with the response to this unprecedented event.

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Determining Whether a Business Enterprise Is Subject To a Workforce Reduction under Recent Executive Orders

Executive Order 202.8 is a directive issued by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo that requires businesses in New York State to reduce the number of employees working at individual locations in New York State to help combat the COVID-19 outbreak.

Employers are required to reduce the number of employees working at each location by 100 percent effective March 22, 2020 at 8 p.m. The employment reduction requirements apply to all for-profit and not-for-profit employers in New York State, unless such business is deemed an essential business or entity providing essential services. These entities are considered “Essential Business.”

An Essential Business is any business providing products or services that are required to maintain the health, welfare and safety of the citizens of New York State.

Guidance as to whether a business is an “Essential Business” can be found on the website of Empire State Development at: https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026

If your business is determined to be an Essential Business, only those employees that are needed to provide the products and services that are essential to provide such products or services are permitted to work at the business location. In addition, Essential Businesses are still required to utilize telecommuting or work from home procedures to the maximum extent possible. Those employees who do report to work must adhere to the requirements set forth in the Department of Health guidelines, which can be found at: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

If your firm is not an Essential Business, your business is required to comply with the employment reduction provisions contained in Executive Order 202.8 which requires the number of employees working at each location be reduced by 100 percent effective March 22, 2020 at 8 p.m.

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Providing Face Coverings for Public and Private Employees Interacting with the Public

New York State Executive Order 202.16 provides that any employees who are present in the workplace at all essential businesses are to be provided and shall wear face coverings when in direct contact with customers or members of the public. Businesses must provide, at their expense, such face coverings for their employees.

This requirement became effective Wednesday, April 15 at 8 p.m.

For more information, visit: Interim Guidance on Executive Order 202.16 Requiring Face Coverings for Public and Private Employees Interacting with the Public during the COVID-19 Outbreak April 14, 2020.

Information on Homemade Cloth Face Coverings https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

Additional New York State Executive Orders can be found at: https://www.governor.ny.gov/executiveorders

 

How can I be tested for COVID-19?

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How can I be tested for COVID-19?

Widespread transmission of COVID-19 in the United States is expected to occur. Continue to practice all the protective measures recommended to keep yourself and others free from illness.

If you are sick, reach out to your Primary Care Physician (PCP) or call your local Urgent Care Facility to assess your conditions/symptoms. Your Primary Care Physician or Urgent Care Facility should be able to discuss your symptoms to eliminate other possibilities, such as influenza, allergies or the common cold before being tested for COVID 19.

• Most people have mild illness and are able to recover at home.
• There is no treatment specifically approved for this virus.
• Testing results may be helpful to inform decision-making about who you come in contact with.

NYS Department of Health Protocol for Diagnostic Testing

As New York State aggressively expands COVID-19 diagnostic testing capacity, the Department of Health has revised guidance to increase testing for frontline workers, including all first responders, health care workers, and essential employees who interact with the public, while continuing to prioritize resources. Testing for COVID-19 shall be authorized by a health care provider for individuals who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• An individual is symptomatic or has a history of symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough, and/or trouble breathing), particularly if the individual is 70 years of age or older, the individual has a compromised immune system, or the individual has an underlying health condition; or
• An individual has had close (i.e. within six feet) or proximate contact with a person known to be positive with COVID-19; or
• An individual is subject to a precautionary or mandatory quarantine; or
• An individual is employed as a health care worker, first responder, or other essential worker who directly interacts with the public while working; or
• An individual presents with a case where the facts and circumstances – as determined by the treating clinician in consultation with state or local department of health officials – warrant testing.

NYS Department of Health Testing both Stony Brook University/Jones Beach

The New York State Department of Health has issued guidance to ensure that New York State prioritizes the resources to meet the most urgent public health need.

Suffolk County residents who want to make an appointment for the COVID-19 test can call the NYS Coronavirus Hotline 1-888-364-3065 and they will be screened by a nurse or a healthcare professional.

Stony Brook Medicine has also established (631) 638-1320 as a coronavirus triage phone line for the community. Registered nurses are available to answer calls from 8 am to midnight, Monday through Friday. Callers will be evaluated and directed to the appropriate healthcare setting for assistance, as needed.

Online screening: NYSDOH also launched an online screen tool for COVID 19. See the link below. If you meet the criteria, you will receive a callback from NYS to schedule a test.

https://covid19screening.health.ny.gov/covid-19-screening/

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Suffolk County Hot Spot Testing

Suffolk County, in collaboration with HRH Care, Reef Technologies is sponsoring hot spot testing. This is targeted testing for communities where we have seen and exponential grown in COVID 19 positive individuals. All people desiring testing MUST make an appointment with HRH Care @ 845-553-8030. A nurse will triage the call and see if you are experiencing symptoms in accordance with CDC guidelines.

• Huntington-Huntington High School
  188 Oakwood Rd, Huntington, NY
• Brentwood-Brentwood Recreation Center
  99 3rd Ave., Brentwood, NY
• Riverhead County Center
  300 Center Dr., Riverhead, NY
• Wyandanch Location:
  HRHCare Wyandanch
  1556 Straight Path Wyandanch, NY
• Amityville Location:
  HRHCare Amityville
  1080 Sunrise Highway Amityville, NY
• Coram Location:
  HRHCare Elsie Owens Center
  82 Middle Country Road, Coram, NY

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Walk-In-Clinics that Offer COVID-19 Testing

All clinics ask that you call ahead or book a spot online if you have symptoms of COVID-19*

• Northwell GoHealth Testing-Update - https://www.gohealthuc.com/
• Pro Health Facility in Riverhead -https://www.prohealthcare.com/
• City MD - 18 locations in Suffolk County - https://www.citymd.com/
• AFC Urgent Care Centennial - Rapid Testing and Drive-Through Testing: 631-983-4084
• LI Urgent Care - Manorville - West Babylon https://li-urgent-care.com/
• Patchogue Urgent Care, P.C. - http://patchogueurgentcare.com/#!/
• Excel Urgent Care - https://www.excel-urgentcare.com/
• CareMed - https://caremedpc.com/caremed-locations/
• American Family Care - Urgent Care – https://www.afcurgentcare.com/

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RITE AID Covid-19 Testing

Available at no cost for anyone 18+ years of age. Rite Aid has collaborated with Verily and will use its Baseline COVID-19 Program to provide screening, scheduling, and return of results to participants at Rite Aid testing sites. All Rite Aid COVID-19 testing locations utilize self-swab nasal tests overseen by Rite Aid pharmacists. At all testing locations, patients are required to provide government issued identification, be at least 18 years old, and need to pre-register online at www.riteaid.com in order to schedule a time slot for testing.

Suffolk County Sites
Rite Aid-803 Montauk Highway Unit D, Shirley, NY
Rite Aid-229 Independence Plaza, Selden, NY

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COVID 19 Testing for First Responders

To help support those in need of testing the most, ProHEALTH is opening its Drive-Thru COVID- 19 testing sites to all first responders. You do not have to be a ProHEALTH patient. all ProHEALTH’s drive-thru scheduling hotline at 516-874-0411 to talk to a medical professional.

How do I get my test results?

Contact the clinic where you were tested. If you were tested at the mobile site at Stony Brook U>niversity, you will be notified by the New York State Department of Health. You may also access your results directly.

https://suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Health-Services/Health-Bulletins/Novel-Coronavirus/COVID-19-Test-Results  

 

New York State is conducting an antibody testing survey to develop a baseline infection rate. The preliminary results of phase two show 14.9 percent of the population have COVID-19 antibodies. The preliminary results of phase one of the state's antibody testing survey released on April 23rd showed 13.9 percent of the population have COVID-19 antibodies.

For additional information on The NYSDOH Wadsworth Center’s https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2020/04/updated-13102-nysdoh-wadsworth-centers-assay-for-sars-cov-2-igg_1.pdf

Antibody Testing Sites

Antibody tests are not free, however, most insurance plans do cover some or all of the cost of the visit, including the test. Check with your insurance provider.

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City MD

CityMD (all locations as of April 28 – Citymd.com CityMD Cutchogue remains closed)

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AFC Urgent Care

Covid-19 Antibody testing is being offered at AFC’s West Islip location, 125 Sunrise Highway, West Islip, NY 11795. Antibody testing is not offered at other AFC locations.

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Test collection is available only to patients who may have had COVID-19 and are currently asymptomatic, have been asymptomatic for at least 10 days, have a normal temperature (typically 98.6), and are wearing a facemask.

Appointments must be made online. The booking portal opens at midnight for the following day’s appointment. No walk-in appointments will be accepted. To schedule an appointment, visit:

https://www.solvhealth.com/book-online/plJVw0  

   

I tested positive for COVID-19. What do I do?

If you test positive for COVID-2019, you should isolate yourself from other household and/or family members (those who live with you). Isolation is mandated until further notice. In addition, your household and/or family members should also remain at home under quarantine. This is also a mandatory requirement.

You should communicate to any close contacts you are aware of since the day you were symptomatic and 48 hours prior to symptom onset regarding your illness. You can refer them to this site: www.suffolkcountyny.gov/suffolkcovid.

Advise your contacts that they are on mandatory quarantine and should monitor their temperature and symptoms for fourteen days from the date of last contact. Close contacts should call their medical provider if they start to feel ill.

A close contact is defined as being within six feet of a person displaying symptoms of COVID- 2019 or someone who has tested positive of COVID-2019 for a prolonged period of time (ten minutes or more). A close contact may be less than ten minutes someone who has tested positive coughed or sneezed on you.

If you are a healthcare worker or essential employee, your isolation requirements may vary and you may be able to return to work if you meet certain conditions. Please consult with your employer regarding those requirements.

Isolation means you must stay separate from others to prevent the possible spread of COVID- 2019.

• You must stay at your residence during the period you are isolated.
• You can live with other family members in your home, but you must stay in a separate bedroom and use a separate bathroom until the isolation period is over. Wear a mask covering your nose and mouth when you have to be in common areas of the house.
• You will need to take your temperature with a thermometer twice a day: in the morning and later in the day, and record your temperature on a sheet of paper or electronically.
• Call your doctor if you are feeling ill with symptoms like fever, cough, or shortness of breath.Go to the emergency room if you are having trouble breathing. You should wear a mask if going to doctor’s office or hospital. Call ahead to let the facility know that you have COVID-2019.
• During this period, you should avoid close contact for social or dining activities. Food should be delivered to your individual quarters.
• If you have a true emergency, call 911 and let the person that answers know that you are under isolation for novel coronavirus.
• If you have any questions or if you need assistance with daily living (e.g. food, laundry, etc.), please call 311.
• If you have concerns about your employment status, SCDHS can provide you with a letter asking your employer to excuse you from work.
• You will be advised by the SCDHS in consultation with the New York State Department tion period will end. When your symptoms resolve, you should contact the SCDHS to review ending the isolation period. Call 311 and ask to speak with a public health nurse regarding end of isolation period.

I had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-2019. What do I do?

If you were in close contact with someone who has tested positive, and that contact was while they were symptomatic or 48 hours prior to being symptomatic, you will need to quarantine yourself for fourteen (14) days from the last date of contact. This a mandatory requirement.

A close contact is defined as being within 6 feet. of a person displaying symptoms of COVID- 2019 or someone who has tested positive of COVID-2019 for a prolonged period of time (ten minutes or more). A close contact may be less than ten minutes if someone who has tested positive coughed or sneezed on you.

Quarantine means you must stay separate from others in the community for a total period of 14 days from the day of contact to prevent the possible spread of Covid-19 illness.

If you are a healthcare worker or essential employee, your quarantine requirements may vary and you may be able to return to work if certain conditions are met. Please consult with your employer regarding those requirements.

• You must stay at your residence all the time, during the period you are quarantined. You should avoid having company at your residence, and keep a log (list of names, phone number, and addresses) of anyone who goes into or out of your residence while you are under quarantine. Others in your residence are not restricted from their activities.
• You will need to take your temperature with a thermometer twice a day: in the morning and later in the day, and record your temperature in a temperature log.
• You can live with other family members in your home, but you should sleep in a separate bedroom and use a separate bathroom until the quarantine period is over.
• During this time period, you should avoid close contact of social and dining activities. Food should be delivered to your individual quarters.
• You may walk outside your house on your own property, but should not come within six feet of neighbors or other members of the public. You must refrain from walking in your neighborhood.
• Symptoms of Covid-19 include: fever, cough, and / or shortness of breath. If you develop any of these symptoms, you should put on a face mask immediately to prevent other people in your household from becoming sick.
• If you have a true emergency, call 911 and let the person that answers know that you are under quarantine for Covid-19.
• If you have any questions or if you need assistance with daily living (e.g. food, laundry, etc.), you can call 311 and ask for assistance.
• If you have concerns about your employment status, SCDHS can provide you with a letter asking your employer or school to excuse you from work or school.

When can I end my isolation?

If you tested positive for COVID-19 and have come to the end of your isolation period, you will need approval from the Suffolk County Department of Health Services to end isolation. At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery, which is defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and,

• At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
• If you are immunocompromised, testing may be needed.
• If you tested positive for COVID-19 and need a letter from the Suffolk County Health Department to end your isolation, call 311 and ask for a letter.

Please note if you are an essential employee or healthcare worker, you may return to work before the end of your isolation period and may not need a letter from SCDHS. You must continue to wear a face mask while at work for 14 days following the onset of illness. For more information, please see protocols below.

Protocols for Essential Personnel to Return to Work Following COVID-19 Exposure of Infection

Protocols for Healthcare Personnel in Healthcare and Other Direct Care Settings to Return to Work Following COVID-19 Exposure or Infection

Medical centers are seeking coronavirus survivors to donate blood plasma and researchers are collecting the convalescent serum to use in an experimental treatment strategy in those battling the disease.

While COVID-19 has no proven treatment, it is possible that plasma taken from those who have recovered (convalescent plasma), which has antibodies that may help critically ill people. Your plasma donation will help up to three people who are currently fighting this virus.

To be eligible to donate, you must have had a positive test and your symptoms must have been gone for 14 days in order. All information provided will be kept confidential and will only be used to qualify you as a donor.

Stony Brook Medicine

Need For COVID-19 Infection Recovered Plasma Donors: Donor Screening Survey

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New York Blood Center

Convalescent Plasma COVID-19 Donor Request Form

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Mount Sinai COVID-19 Plasma Donation

Mount Sinai COVID-19 Plasma Donation form

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Columbia University Medical Center

Columbia Donate COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Donation

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Long Island Cares

provides several mobile outreach programs that deliver emergency food to seniors, veterans, children and the homeless. For a complete listing of local food pantries, soup kitchens and other programs visit: https://www.licares.org/find-help/food-locator.

In addition, Long Island Cares six satellite locations are open. Social distancing will be observed and there will be a limit to the number of people in waiting rooms. The locations listed below are open during the following hours:

• Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday-Thursday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Staff has been instructed to use precautions such as wearing masks, gloves, sanitizing vehicles, and not having physical contact.
• Staff will also be available to assist people at other times including, weekends by appointment only by calling (631) 582-3663 Ext 109.

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Hauppauge - Long Island Cares-The Harry Chapin Regional Food Bank

10 Davids Drive – Harry Chapin Way
Call (631) 582-FOOD for appointment

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Freeport - Nassau Center for Collaborative Assistance

21 East Sunrise Highway
Call (516) 442-5221 for appointment

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Lindenhurst - South Shore Service Center

163-1 North Wellwood Avenue
Call (631) 991-8106 for appointment

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Huntington Station- Harry Chapin Food Bank and Humanitarian Center

220 Broadway,
Call (631) 824-6384 for appointment

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Lindenhurst - Baxter’s Pet Pantry & Retail Food Rescue Center

161 North Wellwood Avenue
Call (631) 991-8106 for appointment

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Hampton Bays - Hunger Assistance & Humanitarian Center of the Hamptons

286 West Montauk Highway,
Call (631) 613-3344 for appointment

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East End Food Pantries

Most of the Food Pantries on this list have adopted a drive through system to protect the health of their volunteers and the community.

Montauk Food Pantry: St. Therese Parish Center, 67 South Essex Street (Across the street from the Catholic Church).

• Distributes every other week, alternating schedules with the East Hampton Food Pantry
• Open from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• There is no need to come out of the car
• Provide name, number of adults and children and address.
• If there is a food emergency, contact Alice 631-926-7191
• Prior registration procedure: One person from the household should provide identification:
  • Picture identification from the U.S. or other country, PLUS
  • Proof of residency, for example, a school letter; a medical bill, a credit card bill or offer.

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East Hampton Food Pantry - 159 Pantigo Road, 631-324-2300, www.easthamptonfoodpantry.org

• Distributes every other week, alternating schedules with the Montauk Food Pantry. From
• Open from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• No need to come out of the car
• Provide name, number of adults and children and address.
• Prior registration procedure: One form of ID is required for every family member plus proof of residency for the main person applying.
  • Picture identification from the U.S. or other country, PLUS
  • proof of residency, for example, a school letter; a medical bill, a credit card bill or offer. OR
  • A notarized letter stating the names and address of the person/people applying

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Springs Food Pantry – 5 Old Stone Highway, East Hampton, 631-324-4791 www.springsfoodpantry.com Open Wednesdays from 3:30pm–6 p.m. Drive through

• Prior registration procedure: One form of ID is required for every family member plus proof of residency for the main person applying. Picture identification from the U.S. or other country, PLUS
• Proof of residency, for example, a school letter; a medical bill, a credit card bill or offer. OR
• A notarized letter stating the names and address of the person/people applying

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The Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry - 44 Union Street, in the social hall of the Old Whalers’ Church - 631-725-0437 www.sagharborfoodpantry.com

• For Sag Harbor Residents Only
• Open Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m.– noon, except holidays.
• Pre-packed bags would be on the sidewalk. Volunteers keep a six foot distance from members.
  • Prior registration procedure: Provide photo identification and proof of residency
  • Picture identification from the U.S. or other country, PLUS
  • Proof of residency, for example, a school letter; a medical bill, a credit card bill or offer. OR
  • A notarized letter stating the names and address of the person/people applying

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Bridgehampton Community Food Pantry - 2357 Montauk Highway - 631-481-8179

• Open Wednesdays from 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Members must wait outside for food. No one could go into the building*
• No deliveries provided
• Prior registration procedures: Unknown

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Wainscott Food Pantry - Living Water Food Pantry (Hamptons Church), 69 Industrial Road, 631- 537-2120

• For Wainscott residents only (enforced due to food shortage)
• Fridays 10:00 AM – Noon
• Food is being distributed on back door

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Southampton - Sacred Heart Church, 168 Hill Street - 631-283-6415  hilton@heartofthehamptons.org

• Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• If you can’t go on Wednesday, email is better if you only speak Spanish, so he could put the message in the translator or call in advance and leave a message to make an appointment.
• Deliveries are not available at this time
• New residents in the Southampton area are welcome. Call in advanced.
• Proof of address is not required at present

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St. Rosalie’s Community Food Pantry - St. Rosalie’s Church, 31 East Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays - 631-728-9249,

• Serves Hampton Bays, East Quogue and Flanders (south of Big Duck).
• Open Tuesdays-–Thursdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Must call to make an appointment to pick up food. Curbside.
• No registration process at this time.

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Island Harvest-March 23, 2020

Island Harvest Mission is to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island.

If you are looking for a Food Bank/Pantry near you please access this link.

https://www.islandharvest.org/find-help/find-a-food-pantry/

 

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Enhanced SNAP Benefit

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) will automatically issue an emergency supplemental SNAP benefit to households not already receiving the maximum benefit. New York State OTDA will issue the Emergency supplemental benefits to all SNAP households NOT already receiving the maximum benefit for the months of March 2020 and April 2020.

Households who already received the maximum benefit amount for their household size in March 2020 and April 2020 are not eligible for this supplement.

See the table below for the maximum benefit allotment per household size
HOUSEHOLD SIZE	MAXIMUM ALLOTMENT
1	$194
2	$355
3	$509
4	$646
5	$768
6	$921
7	$1,018
8	$1,164

Notice to All Recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or Temporary Assistance Cash Benefits (TA) with Medicaid (MA)

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) is automatically extending certain TA/MA/SNAP and SNAP only recertifications that are scheduled to expire in March, April and May for a period of three (3) months

The COVID-19 pandemic prevented some households from submitting recertification forms in a timely manner. For the certification periods ending 3/31/20, 4/30/20 and 5/31/20, a three (3) month extension of SNAP or TA/MA/SNAP benefits has been approved for cases throughout the state.

March Recertification: Only cases whose certification periods were scheduled to end in March 2020 and were NOT processed for recertification have been extended. If your recertification was processed and the district determined your case to be no longer eligible for SNAP or TA/MA/SNAP benefits due to excess income, failure to provide required documentation or another reason, your household was not eligible for an extension.

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Instructions in Applying for Temporary Assistance or SNAP if person suffers from a physical or mental impairment

For Temporary Assistance:

RIGHT TO APPLY - Any person has the right to make application for that form of temporary assistance or care which he believes will meet his needs and file the application with the social services district at any time including the same day. The request may be made by:

1. The applicant himself,
2. Any adult member of his family,
3. An authorized representative acting in the applicant's behalf, including relative, friend or other agency or institution if:

1. The applicant establishes a good reason such as, a physical or mental condition, or other extenuating circumstance beyond the control of the applicant exists which prevents the applicant from being reasonably expected to comply with applying for TA on his/her own behalf,
2. The applicant must designate in writing the person who will act on their behalf including proving information to the local district to determine the applicant's initial and continued eligibility for TA.
3. The designation of an authorized representative does not relieve the applicant of the obligation to:

• Cooperate with all aspects of initial and continued eligibility determination for TA such as cooperation with child support. <
• To provide timely and accurate information to the local district

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For SNAP Benefits

Applicant - An applicant is a person who has requested through submission of a state-prescribed form (including electronic forms and applications) to a social services office to receive assistance and/or care, or to have their eligibility for such assistance and care determined. This submission may be done directly by the applicant or through a representative.

Authorized Representative - An individual who is:

1. Designated in writing by the head of household, spouse or other responsible adult household member to represent the household in applying for, obtaining and/or using the supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits;
2. An employee designated by a publicly operated community mental health center or a private, non-profit drug addiction or alcoholic treatment and rehabilitation facility, group living arrangement and/or shelter for battered women and children who will represent households who reside at such centers in applying for and obtaining SNAP; or
3. The only household adult available to be the authorized representative for the household children, even though classified as a non-household member.

C. Authorized Representative

1. Application

The following conditions apply when the application is made by the authorized representative (as defined in this Section).

1. When the head of household or spouse cannot apply, another household member may apply, or an adult non-household member may be chosen as the authorized representative for certification purposes only, providing that:
   1. The authorized representative has been chosen in writing by the head of household, the spouse, or another responsible household member; and
   2. The authorized representative is an adult who is familiar with the relevant household circumstances.
2. The authorized representative will complete the interview. However, it is important that the head of household or the spouse prepare or review the application whenever possible.
3. The local district must inform the household that it will be held liable if the authorized representative provides erroneous information which results in an over issuance.
4. After an authorized representative has been chosen, the application form

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HEAP Benefits Extended

Dates of operation for HEAP are extended from April 24, 2020 through June 30, 2020 or until the funds allocated to these components are exhausted, whichever occurs first. Additionally, effective April 24, 2020, a third emergency benefit will be available to eligible households experiencing a crisis or life-threatening heat or heat-related energy emergency.

Energy assistance is available for low income, elderly and persons with an energy emergency.

How to apply for HEAP:

1. You may mail a completed application to: PO Box 18100 Hauppauge, NY 11788 or;
2. Fax a completed application to: (631) 853-8969 or 853-8822 or;
3. File an application online at: Mybenefits.ny.gov or;
4. File a completed application in person at any of the three HEAP service centers:
• Southwest Center, 2 South 2nd St. Deer Park, NY 11729
• Smithtown Center, 200 Wireless Blvd. Hauppauge, NY 11788
• Riverhead Center, 893 E. Main St. Riverhead, NY 11901

NOTE: In an effort to better serve the public, we are working to keep the lines and wait times in the service centers to a minimum. We suggest that you do not file an application in person unless you have an emergency need. Applications submitted by mail, fax or online will be processed at the same rate as applications filed in person.

Download an Application- http://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/

Request an Application be mailed to you: (631) 854-9935

https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Social-Services/Client-Benefits-Administration#heap

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Emergency Shelter, Moratorium on Evictions

New York is extending a moratorium on evictions for residential and commercial tenants. At this time, eviction proceedings have been suspended and no one can be evicted in New York State until at least August 20.

The state is also banning late payments or fees for missed rent payments during the eviction moratorium, and allowing renters facing financial hardship due to COVID-19 to use their security deposit as payment and repay their security deposit over time. Persons seeking advice are advised to call 311.

Resources

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES (DSS)
(631) 854-9936
(631) 854-9931 (Internal Use Only)
https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Social-Services/Client-Benefits-Administration#temp
After 4:30 p.m., weekends and holidays, call Emergency Services: 631-854-9100

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD)
Rental Assistance, Section 8
Address: 451 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20410
Phone: (202) 708-1112
https://www.hud.gov/topics/rental_assistance

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF LONG ISLAND (CDCLI)
Rental Programs
Rent-To-Own
Mortgage Down Payment Grants
(631) 471-1215
http://www.cdcli.org/

LONG ISLAND HOUSING PARTNERSHIP (LIHP)
Rental Programs
Mortgage Down Payment Grants
Address: 180 Oser Ave Ste 800, Hauppauge, NY 11788
Phone: (631) 435-4710
http://www.lihp.org/

CENTRAL ISLIP CIVIC COUNCIL, INC.
68 Wheeler Rd
Central Islip, ny 11722
Community-Based Housing Services
Service Area: Central Islip
Phone: (631) 348-0669
Email:  ciciviccouncil@aol.com

HOUSING HELP, INC.
Suite 6
91 Broadway
Greenlawn, NY 11740
Community-Based Housing Services
Service Area: Huntington Station
Contact: Susan R. Lagville
Phone: (631) 754-0373
Email:  susanlagville@optonline.net
Service Profile: Housing Help, Inc. (HHI) is a 45-year-old, not for profit housing agency that provides services for low and moderate income households in the Town of Huntington.

NORTH FORK HOUSING ALLIANCE, INC.
116 SOUTH ST
GREENPORT, NY 11944
Community-based Housing Services
Service Area: TOWNS OF GREENPORT AND SOUTHOLD
Contact: TANYA J. PALMORE
Phone: (631) 477-1070
Email:  nfha@aol.com

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EMERGENCY SHELTER for Homeless Persons in need of Shelter

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, call the SCDSS Temporary Housing Assistance Unit at (631) 854-9547.

Any time after 4:30 PM Monday through Friday, on Weekends and Holidays, call the SCDSS Emergency Services Unit at (631) 854-9100.

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Financial assistance for families experiencing financial hardship brought on by the sickness of a child

CONTRACTORS FOR KIDS
20 Peachtree Court, 103-L
Holbrook, NY 11741
1-888-208-KIDS
https://www.contractorsforkids.org/

• Phone bill
• Mortgage payment
• Medical bills deemed "experimental" or due to lack of insurance
• Arranging transportation
• Paying for a room to allow families to remain close during these tough times

Also see Utilities/ Cellular Device Plan Assistance

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Department of Social Services Indigent Burial Assistance

To apply for Suffolk County Social Services indigent burial assistance you must first choose a funeral home. Please advise the funeral home that you will be applying for a Social Services funeral. You may then apply using our online application at:https://apps2.suffolkcountyny.gov/dss/burial/.

For additional information, please call our burial line at 631-854-9856 and we will return your call.

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United Way of Long Island’s UNITED TOGETHER: A Response Fund for COVID-19

United Way of Long Island in partnership with Suffolk County Government is working to assist eligible applicants.

The Fund will be used to help Long Island families as the current health and economic crisis progresses. If you are a low-wage worker and have had a recent sudden loss of employment or furlough due to the effects of COVID-19, assistance will be available for eligible applicants. Beginning on or around April 6, support will be provided until these funds are exhausted.

Who Can Receive Assistance?

Low-income, wage earners who reside in Suffolk or Nassau County and are recently unemployed or have been furloughed due to the effects of COVID-19 may apply for assistance. Applicants must meet the monthly eligibility guidelines.

What Assistance Will I Receive?

UNITED TOGETHER: A Response Fund for COVID-19 will help eligible applicants meet their critical basic needs of food and household supplies via retail gift cards.

How to Apply

Applicants looking to request assistance from UNITED TOGETHER: A Response Fund for COVID-19, may do so through United Way of Long Island's website beginning early April.https://www.unitedwayli.org/covid19helpsuffolk

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Immigrant Resources

Can all immigrant communities receive health care related to COVID-19?

Yes. If you are concerned about your health during the COVID-19 public health emergency, you can seek and receive medical care regardless of your immigration status or lack of health insurance. Medical care will have no impact on “public charge” test. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has stated that medical care related to COVID-19 –including preventive care, testing, and treatment –will not be held against you in a “public charge” test.

Know Your Rights:

The New York State Human Rights Law (HRL) protects individuals from discrimination based on a wide variety of personal characteristics, including race, national origin, and disability. The HRL prohibits discrimination against individuals who are assumed to have been exposed to or infected by COVID-19 based on these traits. If you believe you have been discriminated against, or have questions about the law, please visit the NYS Division of Human Rights website at www.dhr.ny.gov or call 1-888-392-3644.

In response to COVID-19, the Federal Government has issued a directive temporarily stopping immigration enforcement at or near health care facilities, including hospitals, clinics, urgent care, and doctors’ offices.

Beware of scams related to your Social Security payments and COVID-19. For more information, visit: www.socialsecurity.gov/coronavirus/

To report unfair price increases of products such as household cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer, call the NYS Consumer Assistance Hotline at 1-800-697-1220 or complete the consumer complaint form: www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection/form/ComplaintForm1.asp

Immigrants and refugees can continue to access free legal assistance and other services through ONA’s statewide network of providers, even remotely. Call the confidential, multi-lingual NYS New Americans Hotline at 1-800-566-7636 to be connected to a provider.

For More Information:

New York State Department of Health’s COVID-19 Webpage: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home
Centers for Disease Control and Preventing Webpage: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/

 

Updated NYS New Unemployment Application

The New York State Department of Labor announced the launch of a new application for New Yorkers to apply for traditional Unemployment Insurance or the new COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

This one-stop-shop for unemployment benefits will connect New Yorkers with the benefits they deserve faster, without requiring them to call the Department of Labor.

The updated unemployment benefits application system, https://my.ny.gov/LoginV4/login.xhtml will determine which unemployment program — unemployment insurance or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance — New Yorkers should apply for and then prompt them to answer a specific set of questions.

The application builds on the new online system the department rolled out on Friday, April 10th, in partnership with the State Office of Information Technology Services and Google Cloud, to help manage the exponential and unprecedented increase in new claims resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which was included in the Federal CARES Act, provides unemployment benefits for individuals who are ineligible for traditional unemployment insurance. Examples of those covered by PUA include:

• Self-employed New Yorkers;
• Independent contractors;
• New Yorkers who worked for an app-based company (i.e. "gig workers")
• Farmers;
• Those diagnosed with COVID-19 or who have COVD-19 symptoms and are seeking a diagnosis;
• Those living with a household member who has been diagnosed with COVID-19;
• Those providing care for a family or household member diagnosed with COVID-19;
• A primary caregiver for a child unable to attend school or another facility due to COVID-19;
• Those unable to reach their place of employment due to an imposed quarantine or because they have been advised by a medical provider to self-quarantine due to COVID-19;
• Those scheduled to commence new employment that cannot reach their workplace as a direct result of COVID-19;
• Those who became a major breadwinner because the head of their household died from COVID-19;
• Those who quit their job as a direct result of COVID-19;
• Those whose place of employment closed as a direct result of COVID-19;
• Those with insufficient work history and affected by COVID-19; and
• New Yorkers otherwise not qualified for regular or extended UI benefits and affected by COVID-19

 

Mortgage Relief Options

Individuals or commercial mortgage holders who are experiencing issues with mortgage companies that are not abiding by federal and or state mortgage relief guidelines, as listed below are encouraged to complete the Suffolk County Mortgage Relief Survey

If you are among those financially affected by the coronavirus pandemic, you might be concerned about how to pay your mortgage or rent. Federal and state governments have announced plans to help struggling homeowners during this time.

Important things to know

For many homeowners with mortgages, there’s help, but first assess your situation.

If you can pay your mortgage, pay your mortgage.

If you can’t pay your mortgage, or can only pay a portion, contact your mortgage servicer immediately. A new federal law, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, puts in place two protections for homeowners with federally backed mortgages:

1. A foreclosure moratorium
2. A right to forbearance for homeowners who are experiencing a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 emergency

If you do not have a federally backed mortgage, you still may have relief options through your mortgage servicer or from your state.

Note: It may take a while to get a loan servicer on the phone. Loan servicers are experiencing a high call volume and may be impacted by the pandemic.

Suffolk County Mortgage Relief Survey

Individuals or commercial mortgage holders who are experiencing issues with mortgage companies that are not abiding by federal and or state mortgage relief guidelines, as listed below are encouraged to complete the Suffolk County Mortgage Relief Survey

• Forbearing mortgage payments for 90 days from due dates
• Refraining from reporting late payments to credit rating agencies for 90 days.
• Offering mortgagors an additional 90-day grace period to complete trial loan modifications and ensuring that late payments during the COVID-19 pandemic do not affect their ability to obtain permanent loan modifications.
• Waiving late payment fees and any online payment fees for a period of 90 days.
• Postponing foreclosures and evictions for 90 days
• Requiring lump sum payments at the end of the 90 day forbearance period

Suffolk County is collecting this information to assess the current issues individuals and businesses are experiencing in an effort to provide this information in a comprehensive format to Suffolk County, NYS Department of Financial Services, and the Attorney General.

• If you are a homeowner and need assistance, call 311.
• If you own a commercial business and need assistance, call 631-356-3409. Members of the Business Response Unit are available from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. seven days a week.

 

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PSEG Long Island - March 23, 2020

PSEG Long Island has suspended shut-offs of electric service to residential customers for non-payment. This will give customers experiencing financial difficulties because of the outbreak additional time to pay their bills. For more information, visit www.psegliny.com/myaccount.

In keeping with this effort to minimize the financial difficulties of its customers during the outbreak,PSEG Long Island is also waiving new late payment fees until further notice.

PSEG Long Island will evaluate the continued need at that time. For additional, or updated information, about PSEG Long Island’s response and any operational changes associated with the COVID-19 outbreak, visit PSEG Long Island’s coronavirus update webpage: www.psegliny.com/covid19

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National Grid-Update - April 13, 2020

Collections Activities & Disconnections have temporarily suspended in order to lessen any financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These policies will remain in effect at least until the end of April, when we will evaluate their continued need. Customers looking for more information on payment assistance programs in general can click here.

Non-Essential Customer Services – Planned maintenance and services, such as manual meter readings, new gas service lines, main replacement, gas service upgrades, and meter changes, may decrease our ability to maintain social distancing guidelines. Therefore, these activities will be paused. In the case of manual meter readings, this practice could result in estimated bills for some customers.

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Altice

Altice COVID19 Policy - Update May 13, 2020

In order to help students stay connected, Altice is offering the following:

Altice Advantage broadband free until the end of the 2019-2020 school year to any new household in our service area with K-12 and/or college students who may be displaced due to school closures and who do not currently have home internet access.

Click here for additional information about Altice Advantage Internet.

Altice Business is partnering with school districts in our service area to offer its Student WiFi product at no cost through the 2019-2020 school year. Altice Business Student WiFi provides students who have school-issued devices the ability to use the Optimum WiFi Hot Spot Network to access their school’s network and resources from home if they do not have dedicated Internet access.

If you are a school district interested in seeing if this is a good fit for you, please contact your existing account representative or if you are not a current Altice Business School customer, visit www.AlticeBusiness.com/contact or call 877.544.4872

Emergency Optimum WiFi outdoor hotspots for public use to non-subscribers. To find an Emergency Hotspot, Click here

To join, in the Wi-Fi settings on your device, select the "optimumwifi-Emergency" network name and follow the prompts to log in.

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Verizon

COVID19 Policy: Customers must fill out short form to let Verizon know you are experiencing hardship to qualify for the following:

• Verizon will not charge a late fee or terminate service due to COVID19 hardship. Once you have submitted your hardship form, your account will be protected from late fees and service termination through June 30, 2020. There is no need to contact Verizon to confirm receipt of your form; your account will be updated accordingly.
• Additional Mobile Hotspots data: Verizon is automatically adding 15 GB of data across nearly all plans, to be used between 05/01/2020 and 05/31/2020. An additional 15 GB of data was also added for use from 03/25/2020 and 04/30/2020.
• Beware of Scams: Verizon is offering Call Filter Plus free for 60 days so that customers receive the benefits of Caller ID and know who is calling when receiving important calls from the government or healthcare entities. Visit our Call Filter FAQs for details about eligibility and how to enroll.
• Voice Minutes Calling Plans will not be charged an overage fee. Between 03/20/2020 and 05/31/2020, if you are on a postpaid calling plan that has a fixed amount of minutes, you will not be charged voice overage fees if you go over. Eligible customers will receive a text message with additional information.

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SCWA

Suffolk County Water Authority (SCWA) COVID19 Policy: suspending shut-offs and non-essential in-home appointments

• Water service will not be interrupted, According to the CDC, the COVID-19 virus is not waterborne, and all SCWA water is already treated with chlorine for disinfection purposes.
• SCWA is temporarily suspending all shut-offs of water service for delinquent customer accounts until further notice.
• In an effort to limit person-to-person contact, SCWA is temporarily suspending all non-essential customer in-home appointments until further notice and limiting public access to SCWA offices.

Customers who have questions about the policies listed above may call our Customer Service line at (631) 698-9500, or email Community Outreach Coordinator Seth Wallach at Seth.Wallach@SCWA.com.

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Sprint

www.sprint.com/en/landings/covid-19.html"

• Provides Unlimited data for 60 days to customers with metered data plans (effective 3/18)
• Gives 20 GB of free mobile hotspot to customers with hotspot-capable devices (effective 3/18)
• Waives per-minute toll charges for international long-distance calls from the U.S. to CDC- defined Level 3 countries (effective 3/17)

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T-Mobile

www.t-mobile.com/brand/ongoing-updates-covid-19"

Allows customers to set up a payment arrangement online if they cannot pay on time

• All T-Mobile customers as of March 13, 2020 who have plans with data will have unlimited smartphone data for the next 60 days (excluding roaming).
• T-Mobile customers on plans with smartphone mobile hotspot can add 20 GB of smartphone mobile hotspot (10 GB per bill cycle for the next 60 days)
• Working with Lifeline partners to provide customers extra free data up to 5 GB per month through May 13, 2020
• Increasing the data allowance for free to schools and students using T-Mobile’s EmpowerED digital learning program to ensure each participant has access to at least 20GB of data per month through May 13, 2020

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AT&T

www.att.com AND www.att.com/help/covid-19/"

• For the next 60 days (as of March 13, 2020), AT&T won’t terminate service and will waive the following due to economic hardship as a result of COVID-19:
• Late payment fees for postpaid wireless, home phone or broadband residential customers
• Domestic postpaid wireless plan overage charges for data, voice or text for residential postpaid wireless customers
• The waiver applies to these fees or charges incurred between March 13, 2020, and May 13, 2020
• Offering internet access for qualifying limited-income households at $10 a month through our Access from AT&T program
• Expanded eligibility to Access from AT&T to households participating in the National School Lunch Program and Head Start.
• All AT&T consumer home internet wireline customers, as well as Fixed Wireless Internet, can use unlimited internet data.
• Offering new Access from AT&T customers two months of free service.

Can telemedicine be used to diagnose COVID-19?

Patients who are worried about COVID-19 (coronavirus) can get a quick, remote consultation with a doctor using telemedicine. Call your healthcare provider or your insurance carrier to find out if they have a telemedicine option. Most people who get COVID-19 can recover at home. For more information on testing for COVID-19, click on the link called “Testing and Testing Results.”

HRH Health Care-Federally Qualified Health Centers-available for those who do not have insurance

To schedule a telemedicine visit, call (844) 474-2273, or visit HRHCare.org. To schedule a telemedicine visit, call (844) 474-2273, or visit www.HRHCare.org

What is telemedicine?

Telemedicine is like a regular doctor’s visit, but as a video chat. Telemedicine refers to a video visit with a medical provider (doctor or nurse) using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. We use an easy one-tap link to connect you with your doctor from your home.

Why is telemedicine important during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Limiting social contact is one of the most important ways to stop the spread of COVID-19. Telemedicine is also important because your health care should continue! In most cases, telemedicine is the best way to get your health care right now.

What kind of care can I get during a telemedicine visit?

Telemedicine can help practitioners to diagnose and treat many health concerns. Telemedicine is for adults and children. Many women’s health areas are covered by telemedicine. For an extensive list of areas of care, see below. Telemedicine providers may also be able to provide nutrition and behavioral health counseling.

Telemedicine can address many issues that would normally bring a patient to a health center or drugstore clinic. It is also a way to check in with a provider about long-term health conditions, like diabetes, hypertension, or asthma. Providers are able to write some prescriptions, like antibiotics, after a telemedicine visit.

Children

• Respiratory issues (flu, cold)
• Skin rashes
• Seasonal allergies
• Medicine refills
• Nutritional issues
• Sprains/Joint aches
• Follow up visits- routine care
• Behavioral/ADHD

General - Adults

• Medication refills
• Respiratory issues (cold/flu)
• New patient visit
• Medicare wellness visits
• Follow up from hospitalization (within 7-10 days of visit)
• Rash
• Seasonal allergies
• Urinary tract infection
• Sexually transmitted infection exposure
• Follow up visits
• Diabetes/HTN/COPD/Asthma -Routine Follow up
• Lab and diabetes insipidus (DI) result follow up
• Follow up after specialty consult

Women’s Health

• Birth control refills
• Menstrual irregularities
• Infertility
• Menopausal symptoms
• Nutritional issues
• Neonatal care
• Follow up visits—routine care
• No prenatal visits (must be in person)

What are the limits of telemedicine?

Telemedicine providers cannot treat chest pain, broken bones, cuts that need stitches, or provide pre-natal visits. They also cannot perform a COVID-19 test on a patient. In some cases, the telemedicine provider may have to refer a patient to another doctor for an in-person visit.

We are encouraging residents to sign up for SMART911, which allows individuals and families to provide critical medical information to 9-1-1 and first responders.

The information provided in a Smart911 Safety Profile enables us to know who is at the greatest risk in our community. We can provide individuals with critical updates based on their location and health history.

Ultimately, Smart911 gives our community the chance to be proactive, and lets us know who requires our services. Residents can visit Smart911.com to sign up.

As part of this effort, residents can now sign up for SMS text message updates on their mobile devices to receive updates on the latest information, health guidance and other developments relating to the coronavirus. Residents should text COVIDSUFFOLK to 67283 to enroll.

Spanish Speaking residents should text COVIDESPANOL to 67283 to enroll.

 

Association for Mental Health and Wellness Bereavement Support Groups

People are unable to grieve the loss of loved ones in ways they are used to. No wakes for Christians. No Shivas for Jews. No three-day mourning periods for Muslims. That’s why Long Island’s two leading, county-based mental health organizations are launching online bereavement support groups designed to provide comfort, support, and “grief tools” to those who have lost loved ones to the COVID-19 virus. The first group begins on Tuesday, May 19, 2020. For details, go to www.bereavement.mhaw.org.

Participants in any of the five COVID-19 Bereavement Support Groups must be mourning the loss of a family member or close friend who has died from COVID-19. The group categories are:

Grieving Adults Support Groups: For people who have lost a loved one to coronavirus and cannot grieve in person with their loved ones. The group will bring together others who are struggling to come to terms with the loss, to create a sense of closure, and to grieve in community. There will be two groups in this category.

Peer Bereavement Support Group: For individuals experiencing a mental health condition who have lost a loved one to coronavirus. Participants have a safe and supportive space to share their stories with others who can truly relate to their pain and experiences.

Veterans Bereavement Support Group: For Veterans and their families who have lost someone to coronavirus and cannot grieve in person with their loved ones. This group will deal with issues specific to the Veterans community.

Creative Arts Bereavement Support Group: The making of art can serve as a safe outlet for the expression of thoughts and emotions relating to death and loss. By expressing these feelings in a symbolic manner, mourners can nurture their sense of control, organization, and containment. Participants may use such art supplies as copy paper, colored pencils, markers, crayons, scissors, and glue.

Interested parties may register at www.bereavement.mhaw.org.

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American Red Cross COVID-19 Victims’ Virtual Family Assistance Center

The American Red Cross across the regions of New York State have developed a program in response to COVID-19 to support individuals and families who have lost family members to death as a result of COVID-19.

The program will link crisis counselors with families to provide emotional and spiritual support, as well as targeted short-term casework to assist with navigating through the challenging processes they might be faced with as a result of the death. This might include challenges with moving the family member’s body through the hospital, nursing home, medical examiner and funeral home systems in this time when those systems may be overwhelmed and their processes may be different than they normally are. They may also include linkage to legal resources for estate, custody, immigration or other issues related to the death.

The following links to an online intake form can be submitted by a family member, a friend who thinks someone needs help, or an agency on behalf of the family. For those without access to the needed online technology, the phone number will link the caller to an intake person who will assist with the initial steps for getting assistance.

• English: www.redcross.org/NYSCOVIDFamilySupport
• Spanish: www.redcross.org/NYSCOVIDApoyoFamiliar
• Telephone: 585-957-8187

The program is expected to operate for as long as families will benefit from the service or through the month of September.

Direction for Law Enforcement on Unlawful Evictions During COVID-19 Pandemic

Law Enforcement Handling of Illegal Evictions Established by New York’s Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019

NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James provided direction to law enforcement departments throughout New York state so they have clear guidance on how to protect the public from unlawful evictions both during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health crisis and into the future.

There is a rising concern that some landlords might begin to take matters into their own hands and attempt to evict tenants themselves in the absence of a court order. New York’s Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 created new protections for tenants, including a new provision that makes it a crime (a Class A misdemeanor) for a person to either evict an occupant from their home without a court order, or to fail to restore an occupant who was evicted without court order. This new law empowers law enforcement to intervene when encountering unlawful evictions, which provides a welcomed and timely additional layer of protection for tenants as they grapple with the economic challenges presented by the COVID-19 public health crisis.

“As the coronavirus rages on, many individuals are experiencing unprecedented financial instability, and it is important for everyone to understand the protections in place to guard against unlawful evictions at such a vulnerable time,” said Attorney General James. “I will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure that no New Yorker is illegally removed from their home during this pandemic.”

Attorney General James highlights the following directions for law enforcement responding to unlawful evictions across New York State:

• It is an unlawful eviction if a person evicts or attempts to evict a person by:
• Using or threatening the use of force;
• Interrupting or discontinuing essential services (i.e. heat, water, electricity);
• Removing the occupant’s possessions from the dwelling unit;
• Removing the door at the entrance to the dwelling unit;
• Removing, plugging, or otherwise rendering the lock on the entrance door inoperable;
• Changing the lock on an entrance door without supplying the occupant with a key; and
• Any other action which prevents or is intended to prevent the occupant from the lawful occupancy of the dwelling unit, which interferes or intends to interfere with the occupant’s use and occupancy of the dwelling unit, or induces the occupant to vacate.
• The law protects any person who occupies a dwelling unit (which can be an apartment, a room, or a bed) through a written or oral lease, or who has occupied the unit for at least 30 days from the unlawful eviction, including tenants whose leases have expired, family members who have been in the dwelling unit for at least 30 days, and roommates or other licensees of tenants and occupants who have been in the dwelling unit for at least 30 days.
• Furthermore, the law also requires an owner of the dwelling unit to take all reasonable and necessary actions to restore an occupant who has been unlawfully evicted to their unit. Alternatively, the owner can provide the occupant another habitable unit within the dwelling.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) continues to actively monitor housing practices throughout the state to ensure that unlawful evictions do not occur. OAG has sent cease and desist letters to landlords throughout the state who unlawfully threaten tenants with eviction amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Attorney General James recently issued guidance to New Yorkers highlighting how to navigate tenant issues related to COVID-19. New York courts are not accepting any new eviction or foreclosure cases. Threats of eviction are not only illegal, but also damaging to the well-being of New Yorkers.

In addition to the new protections afforded to tenants in the 2019 Act, additional measures have been implemented via executive orders issued by the governor. All COVID-19 guidance on tenant protections, among other important updates for the public and businesses, can be found on the OAG website.

Touro Law School has established a helpline to answer legal questions arising from the pandemic. Volunteer attorneys will connect community members to clinical program and appropriate legal partners on a wide range of legal issues, including landlord-tenant, civil liberties, bankruptcy, employee rights, unemployment, stimulus payment, insurance and more.

The free helpline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Complete the intake form located here, and a representative will be in touch with you shortly.

https://www.tourolaw.edu/AboutTouroLaw/TLCResponse

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The current health crisis posed by COVID-19 has limited many of the Behavioral Health resources normally available to our community. With the recent CDC and NYS Department of Health recommendations banning gatherings of (10) individuals or more, many community supports are (temporarily) suspending their meeting places to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We understand the impact this may have on many Suffolk County residents. We would like to let you know that help is still available! Check out this list of resources!

Behavioral Resources in Suffolk County

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Additional Resources

Victory Recovery Partners Substance Abuse Treatment-April 9, 2020

Medication Assisted Treatment (including Suboxone and similar medications), Psychiatric Care (including medication management), Behavioral Health services (including individual and group counseling), and Wellness care – through remote Video Visits. Victory’s physicians, psychiatrists, and behavioral health clinicians are fully equipped with telemedicine technology needed to continue rendering care. Patients can book appointments 24/7 by calling 631-696-HELP (4357) or through the company’s website: www.VictoryRP.com

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COVID-19 Mental Health Resource Hub

The Resource Hub provides a range of resources designed to help people, their families and care providers cope with pandemic-related stress brought on by social isolation, job loss and other challenges. The Resource Hub is a collaboration among several national leaders in the mental health community. To access services through Beacon Health Options, use this link: https://www.beaconhealthoptions.com/coronavirus/member-resources/.

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SAMHSA Virtual Recovery Resources for Substance Use and Mental Illness

In an infectious disease outbreak, when social distancing and self-quarantine are needed to limit and control the spread of the disease, continued social connectedness to maintain recovery are critically important. Virtual resources can and should be used during this time.

This tip sheet describes resources that can be used to virtually support recovery from mental/substance use disorders . It also provides resources to help local recovery programs create virtual meetings.

• Alcoholics Anonymous: Offers online support http://aa-intergroup.org/
• Cocaine Anonymous: Offers online support and services https://www.ca-online.org/
• LifeRing: LifeRing Secular Recovery offers online support https://www.lifering.org/online-meetings
• In The Rooms - Online Recovery Meetings: Provides online support through live meetings and discussion groups https://www.intherooms.com/home/ Marijuana Anonymous: Offers virtual support https://ma-online.org/
• Narcotics Anonymous: Offers a variety of online and skype meeting options https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/ Reddit Recovery: Offers a virtual hang out and support during recovery https://www.reddit.com/r/REDDITORSINRECOVERY/
• Refuge Recovery: Provides online and virtual support: http://bit.ly/refuge-recovery1
• Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery: Offers global community of mutual-support groups, forums including a chat room and message board https://www.smartrecovery.org/community/
• SoberCity: Offers an online support and recovery community https://www.soberocity.com/ Sobergrid: Offers an online platform to help anyone get sober and stay sober https://www.sobergrid.com/ Soberistas: Provides a women-only international online recovery community https://soberistas.com/
• Sober Recovery: Provides an online forum for those in recovery and their friends and family: https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/

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Helpful Resources

Hotlines

SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline
Toll-Free: 1-800-985-5990 (English and español)
SMS: Text TalkWithUs to 66746
SMS (español): “Hablanos” al 66746
TTY: 1-800-846-8517
Website (English): http://www.disasterdistress.samhsa.gov
WEBSITE (ESPAÑOL):
HTTP://WWW.DISASTERDISTRESS.SAMHSA.GOV/espanol.aspx

SAMHSA’s National Helpline
Toll-Free: 1-800-662-HELP (24/7/365 Treatment Referral Information Service in English and español)
Website: http://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Toll-Free (English): 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Toll-Free (español): 1-888-628-9454
TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889)
Website (English):
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Website (español):
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
gethelp/spanish.aspx

Treatment Locator Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator Website:
http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/locator/home
For help finding treatment 1-800-662-HELP (4357) https://findtreatment.gov/

SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center
Toll-Free: 1-800-308-3515
Email: DTAC@samhsa.hhs.gov
Website: http://www.samhsa.gov/dtac

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Compassion Fatigue for First Responders and Healthcare Professionals

• LICADD - 24 Hour hotline-631-979-1700 - taking calls for mental health, substance abuse, anxiety, depression and coping strategies. Clinician is always available - they will speak to a person
• Overdose prevention and Naloxone kits available for distribution

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Support for Front-Line Medical and Human Service Professionals, First Responders, Veterans and others Affected by COVID-19

FREE: 24-hour, 7 days a week

If you are struggling with your daily routine, or you find that peer and family relationships are suffering, or the effects of stress are overwhelming:

• FSL is available with immediate assistance to listen and offer tangible support.
• Our 24/7 Hotline provides confidential crisis response, assessing callers’ needs and linking them to tailored support.
• For those who are looking for ongoing support, linkages will be provided to:
  FSL’s array of services including our Community Crisis Action Team (C-CAT), offering a safe space to share thoughts, concerns, and stressors in one-on-one or group counseling with trained crisis counselors.
• Sister organizations that specialize in serving various populations.

Call FSL’s DASH Hotline any time: 631-952-3333 or www.fsl-li.org

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Crisis Response Services for those working in Long-Term -Care Facilities!

Free support.

What participants can expect:

• A voluntary, confidential opportunity for those working in long-term care facilities to share stress reactions and learn new coping skills via telehealth audio/video conferencing.
• Education, support, and linkages to additional services.
• Mitigation of post-traumatic stress reactions.
• An efficient way to identify individuals who may need assistance that is more intensive such as one-on-one counseling.
• An opportunity for staff to recognize stress in others, provide mutual support, and build cohesion.

Individuals working in any long-term healthcare environment are welcome to join a C-CAT support session. This is also a unique opportunity for employers and department managers to offer their staff the vital resource of direct counseling during this time of crisis.

Call TODAY for information - Robyn Berger-Gaston, LCSW-R, FSL Division Director 631-591-7580 or rberger-gaston@fsl-li.org

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SUICIDE PREVENTION

The COVID-19 pandemic can affect you and your loved ones' mental and emotional well-being. It is natural to feel overwhelmed, sad, anxious and afraid. Isolation, financial distress, loss of friends and family due to COVID-19 and other stressors can affect our mental and emotional well-being. Below are some action steps offered by National Institute of Mental Health.

If you are thinking about suicide, or know someone who is, counselors are available to listen to and support you 24/7 Call Family Service League's DASH Hotline 631-952-3333 or Response of Suffolk Hotline 631-751-7500. If you or someone you know is at immediate risk of hurting themselves or in immediate danger because of a health condition or other situation, call 911.

The behaviors listed below may be signs that someone is thinking about suicide:

• Talking about wanting to die or wanting to kill themselves
• Talking about feeling empty, hopeless, or having no reason to live
• Making a plan or looking for a way to kill themselves, such as searching for lethal methods online, stockpiling pills, or buying a gun
• Talking about great guilt or shame
• Talking about feeling trapped or feeling that there are no solutions
• Feeling unbearable pain (emotional pain or physical pain)
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Using alcohol or drugs more often
• Acting anxious or agitated
• Withdrawing from family and friends
• Changing eating and/or sleeping habits
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Taking great risks that could lead to death, such as driving extremely fast
• Talking or thinking about death often
• Displaying extreme mood swings, suddenly changing from very sad to very calm or happy
• Giving away important possessions
• Saying goodbye to friends and family
• Putting affairs in order, making a will

Five Action Steps for helping someone in emotional pain:

1. ASK: "Are you thinking about killing yourself?" It's not an easy question, but studies show that asking at-risk individuals if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts.
2. KEEP THEM SAFE: Reducing a suicidal person's access to highly lethal items or places is an important part of suicide prevention. While this is not always easy, asking if the at-risk person has a plan and removing or disabling the lethal means can make a difference.
3. BE THERE: Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling. Research suggests acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal thoughts.
HELP THEM CONNECT: Save the DASH (631-952-3333), Response (631-751-7500), the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline's (1-800-273-TALK (8255)) and the Crisis Text Line's number (741741) in your phone, so it's there when you need it. You can also help make a connection with a trusted individual like a family member, friend, spiritual advisor, or mental health professional. STAY CONNECTED: Staying in touch after a crisis or after being discharged from care can make a difference. Studies have shown the number of suicide deaths goes down when someone follows up with the at-risk person.

For more information on suicide prevention visit: www.nimh.nih.gov/suicideprevention

For more information please see the attached/below document.

Please share with any group that may be interested in this important information