Covid-19 Resources

Dear Kehillath Shalom Synagogue Members and Friends, 

There are many resources to help individuals, families, and businesses in need at this time. The Jewish Community seeks to help. 
You can be one of those sources of help and can volunteer from home: info here.


Rabbi Sheila Goloboy of Suffolk Y JCC has compiled Resources for those in Acute or Chronic Financial Hardship- these are below and attached. 
Resources for those in Acute or Chronic Financial Hardship
Created for SYJCC-Synagogue Partnership
Specific COVID-19 Resources in italics/ Last Updated3/20/2020
Contact: Rabbi Sheila Goloboy, LMSW, [email protected] or 631-462-9800 x151
 
Covid-19 Specific:

• New York State Department of HealthCoronavirus Information Page
• Sign up for New York State Coronavirus Updates
• UJA-Federation of New York has a dedicated Corona Virus resource page with links to everything from the CDC to JTA (Jewish Telegraphic Agency) to webinars for anxiety and tool and advice for people adjusting to working from home. 
• Hebrew Free Loan Society is offering interest-free bridge loans of $2,000-$5,000 to those affected by coronavirus in area, for purposes  including (but not limited to) lost wages, childcare costs, small business losses, canceled study abroad, related medical costs. Click to apply for a Coronavirus Financial Bridge Loan.

 
Unemployment:
Governor Cuomo signed an Executive Order waiving the 7-day waiting period for workers in shared work programs to claim unemployment insurance for those that have been put out of work by COVID-19. Click here to apply.
 
Mortgages and Banking:

• Mortgages: The Department of Financial Services directed New York State mortgage servicers to provide 90-day mortgage relief to mortgage borrowers impacted by the novel coronavirus. Click for details 
• State Chartered Banks: Have been asked to waive ATM fees, late fees, overdraft fees and fees for credits cards to help lessen the financial hardship of the COVID-19 pandemic on New Yorkers.

Financial Assistance:

• Catholic Charities: For help, contact Central Information and Referral at [email protected] or (516) 733-7045. Local offices in Commack and Hicksville.
• St. Vincent DePaul: Information about ontact their Family Assistance Program at https://www.svdpli.org/what-we-do/family-assistance/, contact through https://www.svdpli.org/contact-us/ or call (516) 822-3132.
• NY Times Neediest Cases (one time emergency funding) @ Gural JCC- Judy Goldberg (this may be County specific)
• Hebrew Free Loan Society: See COVID-19-specific information above. Also: www.HFLS.org (offers loans for: Addiction Recovery, Adoption, General Needs, Fertility Treatment, Graduate Student, Health Care, Housing Microenterprise, Security Infrastructure Loans, Special Education, Undergraduate Student, Vocational Training)
• NASSAU RESIDENTS ONLY: Hatzilu Rescue Fund: http://www.hatzilurescue.org/. Contact information at http://www.hatzilurescue.org/contact.html. Application to download on contact page, as well.
  
  Food:

• Public School Lunches, Free or reduced: School districts are offering curbside pickup for those who qualify. Contact your school system’s administration offices or nutrition department. Click here for more details. Once approved, free meals can be backdated to date of application. Note: some schools offer free or reduced breakfast, as well.
• Island Harvest (https://www.islandharvest.org/) has a food pantry locator at https://www.islandharvest.org/find-help/find-a-food-pantry/.
• Long Island Cares https://www.licares.org/ and food locator at https://www.licares.org/find-help/food-locator/). Offers food, personal and home supplies, pet food and other assistance, as well as social work professionals. Call 631-582-FOOD or the numbers below.  LI Cares is assessing individuals/families for home delivery due to the covid-19 outbreak. Call  631.582.3663 ext. 109 or email [email protected]. They will respond within 24-48 hours.
  • Harry Chapin Food Bank and Humanitarian Center located at 220 Broadway in Huntington Station. 631.824.6384

• • Center for Collaborative Assistance located at 21 East Sunrise Highway in Freeport. 516.442.5221
  • South Shore Service Center located at 163-1 North Wellwood Avenue in Lindenhurst. 631.991.8106.

• SYJCC Senior Nutrition Program offers KOSHER weekday lunch for ALL Suffolk County residents age 60+.  Once registered (see attached), they must reserve the day before or by 10:30 am the same morning. Lunches are handed out curbside at the SYJCC between 12:00 and 12:30 pm. Suggested donation for a meal is $4.00.

 
Utilities:

• National Grid: Effective 3/20/2020 until the end of April (as of now), National Grid is temporarily suspending collections and service disconnections. Regular billing will continue for all customers. Visit their COVID-19 response page. In general, National Grid has grant and bill reduction programs through their customer advocates. Visit https://www.nationalgridus.com/Long-Island-NY-Home/Bill-Help/customer-advocate, call 1-800-930-5003 or email  [email protected].
• PSEG: Has discontinued electricity shut-off’s for non-payment as Covid-19 Response. In general, PSEG provides those who qualify for “acute hardship”, including furloughed employees, with a 60-day grace period. Also has programs that offer assistance with no payback. Customer service centers are closed with employees working remotely. Call 1-800-490-0025 or https://www.psegliny.com/myaccount/customersupport. 
• Suffolk County Water Authority posted on its website: “Please know that your water service will not be interrupted, nor will the quality of your water be affected as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak...” SCWA has in the past waived penalties and not disconnected customers in certain circumstances. Contact them through https://www.scwa.com/contact/ or call Customer Service at (631) 698-9500

 
Please Note: This list is not exhaustive. For more information or additional resources, please contact your congregational clergy or Rabbi Sheila Goloboy, LMSW, Partners in Caring Coordinator, at [email protected] or 631-462-9800 x 151
 
 

Please contact Rabbi Goloboy or myself with any questions you may have. 
Kol tuv,
Rabbi Lina