Comprehensive COVID-19 Resource Guide

Published March 26, 2020 | Social Worker | Updated May 9, 2022 | Automatically Archived on 12/7/2022

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211: One stop for information and resources related to COVID-19, basic needs, financial needs, housing, mental health and more.  Call 2-1-1. Multiple languages. 
Tips to Stay Informed:
  • Check websites of organizations/businesses frequently for changes or information.
  • Stay up-to-date about local schools, faith communities, the Senior Center, and other local organizations who may be providing your community with support or assistance as needs change.
  • Due to organizations being flooded with callers and or emails at this time, it is recommended that you visit websites for information prior to emailing or calling. Contact organizations directly with specific questions if needed.
  • The new messaging tool called “AlertsMA” will allow residents to subscribe to real-time notifications by texting the keyword COVIDMA to 888-777. (Para Espanol, texto COVIDMAESP a 888-777.) After signing up, state and public health officials can send short messages and links to information directly to a resident’s cell phone or other mobile device.
  • Be cautious of scams related to COVID-19. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. 
  • CDC: Up-to-date COVID-19 information
  • Middlesex District Attorney’s Guide to Avoiding Scams
Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, and Healthy Relationship
Employment

Time Out of Work: This is a constantly evolving situation. Keep informed of state and federal guidelines and legislative changes.

  • If you need to be out of work due to illness, risk of illness to yourself or family, etc., consider the following:
    • Talk to your employer about using paid time off.
    • Understand your short-term disability policy.
    • Ask your employer about other support services and systems available.
    • If your job offers it, consult the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for free confidential support services, including but not limited to counseling, legal advice, and other resources. Speak to your HR department. 
    • Metrowest Legal : Free legal aid for seniors and low-income individuals. They provided services to undocumented immigrants who meet eligibility criteria, 508-620-1830
    • Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
    •  
    • Social Emotional Considerations for Re-entering Workplaces During or After COVID-19: Information for employers and employees. 

Employee Rights

Job Resources

  • Mass Hire: Resources for job hunters and employers during COVID-19. Updated weekly. 
Food and Basic Needs

Clothing

  • Project Just Because: Provides winter coats and accessories seasonally. Reach out early! They also provide food, basic need, and selfcare resources. 
  • Global Thrift in Waltham provides up to 5 free outfits per family member with a referral from the town social worker. Email socialworker@sudbury.ma.us.

Food

  • Maintain social distancing by exploring grocery and prescription delivery options. Note that many local businesses are reducing or eliminating fees during this time. Many businesses are also offering curbside pick up and grocery stores are required to offer special shopping hours for seniors and those most at risk. 
  • SNAP Options for Grocery Delivery
  • Local food pantries and community supper programs are making every effort remain open and are adjusting policies due to the COVID-19 situation. Please visit websites or call individual pantries for updated information on availability. Click here for a list of pantries serving Sudbury residents.
  • Sudbury Food Pantry
  • A Place to Turn in Natick: Emergency food pantry that also provides diapers and baby wipes. Call 508-655-8868 to place an order for pick up. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30am-12:30pm.
  • Project Bread: Food Source Hotline for multi-lingual support to access information on local food pantries and other resources for those needing food: 1-800-645-8333
  • For those in need, including those who may have changes in eligibility due to lost wages, consider applying for the following programs:
  • Neighbor Brigade: Volunteer organization that can help to deliver food and offer a variety of other supports and services related to the COVID-19 situation. Please note that citizenship status is not a criteria used by this organization to evaluate applications and translators are available in multiple languages to request help. For those without access to online application, call 1-855-241-4357.
  • Meals on Wheels: Delivered meals for at-risk seniors, with program changes due to COVID-19. 
  • Rescuing Leftover Cuisine: For human service agencies in need of food.
  • Many restaurants are offering delivery and even waiving delivery fees.
  • Free Restaurant Gift Cards for Sudbury residents who self-identify as being in need. If interested, email the following information to socialworker@sudbury.ma.us with the subject line “Free Restaurant Gift Cards”:
    • Name
    • Address
    • Number of people in the household
    • 3-4 Sudbury restaurants that you prefer, or the type of food you prefer
  • St. Elizabeth’s Care Pantry: Free cleaning and hygiene supplies, including diapers, wipes, incontinence supplies, textured hair care products and sensitive skin products. Pick up and delivery available. 
Financial Help

Financial Coaching and Helplines

  • MCDC: 1:1 coaching and creative financial problem-solving, with a knowledge of evolving financial changes and resources related to COVID-19, 508-658-0880.
  • Budget Buddies: 

    • Financial Resource Support Line – With so much changing information about federal stimulus checks, unemployment, taxes, loans, etc., it can be hard to figure out what is true and what is not. If you have specific questions or issues, feel free to email (info@budgetbuddies.org), leave a voicemail or text us at (617-297-7376). No question or need too big or too small.

    • Financial Resources Website

Taxes
  • Free Tax Prep: Metro Community Development Corporation offers free and remote tax prep to those making less than $50,000/year.

Utilities (gas, electric, phone, cable, internet, etc.):

  • Many companies, including utility companies, are making COVID-19 related relief changes to their billing and other policies – many of which are only available upon request. This may include reduced costs, waiving late fees, postponing shut offs, providing discounted or new services, etc. Please call or visit your providers’ websites to learn more.
  • Some cable and internet companies are providing free internet or wi-fi hotspots to support people without access, allow children to learn, and provide access for adults working remotely. Visit your provider’s website or other providers in your area for more information.
  • Emergency Broadband Benefit: Federal internet discount for eligible households, and discounts on laptops, tablets and desktop computers. 
  • Gas and Electric Discount Rate: Available to low-income households. Be mindful that reduced wages may make you eligible if you weren’t in the past. 
  • The utility shut-off moratorium ended July 1, 2021. If you cannot pay your bill:
    • contact your utility company immediately to discuss a payment plan
    • consider applying for RAFT funding. To learn more about the program and eligibility, click HERE. 
  • SafeLink Wireless: Free cell phone services for those at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
  • Federal Communication Commission made changes to phone and internet providers during COVID-19 to “Keep Americans Connected.”
  • Assistance for Paying Utility and Telecom Bills During COVID-19: Customers are urged to reach out to their providers before they miss a payment. 
  • Good Neighbor Energy Fund
  • Fuel Assistance: Help paying heating bills for low-income households. Click here for application packet. Application cycle runs from late fall to late spring. 

Assistance Paying Bills:

  • The United Way COVID-19 Fund: Financial support to individuals impacted by coronavirus. Call 2-1-1 for information on how to access these funds. 
  • St. Vincent de Paul: Catholic organization that helps people with emergency financial support and resources, regardless of their religious beliefs. Please note that citizenship status is not a criteria used by this organization to evaluate applications, and both chapters have Spanish speaking volunteers. Call one of two conferences in Sudbury:
    • St. Anselm Chapter: 978-443-8981
    • Our Lady of Fatima Chapter: 978-443-2647
  • HOPEsudbury: Provides emergency financial support by directly paying bills for those in need in Sudbury. Citizenship status is not a criteria used by this organization to evaluate applications. Click here for a fillable PDF application. 
  • The South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) has funding (up to $7000/household) to help prevent housing loss during times of financial crisis, including RAFT and RAFT Upstream funding. Their Housing Consumer Education Center can also answer questions about housing concerns.
    • SMOC is closed to walk-ins as of 3/16/20. Employees are working remotely. For RAFT and the Housing Consumer Education Center, email: HCEC@SMOC.ORG.
    • See additional info and supports under “Housing” section below in this article. 

Credit Cards:

  • Some companies are waiving service fees and penalties on early CD withdrawal, extending payment deadlines and lowering interest rates.
  • Visit your credit card company website.
  • Call your credit card company to see how they can work with you.

Other Discounts and Resources:

Health/Medical

Medical: Insurance information Links to websites and information for members
Medicare  Medicare Telehealth Updates

COVID-19 Information for Medicare members
MassHealth COVID-19 Information for Mass Health members

MassHealth Limited is available to all Massachusetts residents and assists low income families including immigrant families who may not qualify for health insurance during COVID-19. They will cover the costs of treatment and testing for COVID-19.

 
No-insurance The Massachusetts Health Connector rules have changed to allow uninsured Massachusetts residents to apply for Health insurance up to April 25th
 Commercial Insurance

 

 Mandated COVID-19 requirements including waived copays for COVID-19 treatment. Visit website of your individual insurance company for specific details. 
Telehealth Visit your insurance providers’ websites for policies and procedures regarding use of phone and video calls for medical and mental health appointments.

 

Housing
Immigrants and Refugees

In addition to the resources in this section, we are doing our best to note which other resources in this guide assist people regardless of citizenship status.

LGBT
  • Greater Boston PFLAG (Parents, Family & Friends of Lesbians and Gays): Helpline for Parents and Caregiviers
  • The Trevor Project: Support for younger LGBTQ+ folkx via call, text or live chat
  • The Trans LifeLine: Peer support phone service run by trans and non-binary people 877-565-8860
  • SAGE (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders): Peer support phone service connecting LGBT older people who want to talk with friendly responders who are ready to listen. 877-360-5428
  • Fenway Health: Fenway Health has been working to make life healthier for the people in our neighborhood, the LGBTQIA+ community, people living with HIV/AIDS and the broader population.
  • Susan’s Place: Well-moderated discussion forums provide support/information/community for trans and gender-expansive folx.  Some forums are specifically for spouses and/or family and friends.
  • Trans Club of New England: The Trans Community of New England (TCNE) is a Boston area transgender support organization for the transgender community
  • LGBTQ+ Supports for Seniors Through Bay Path Elder Services: Including a confidential support hotline with voicemail at 508-573-7288 

 

Mental Health, Emotional Support & Self-Care
Support lines
Other
  • Sudbury Virtual Town Hall: Reaching town offices and accessing resources remotely
  • File a Civil Rights Complaint if faced with discrimination based on race, gender identity, disability status or other protected category or call the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Hotline (617) 963-2917 
Reporting Abuse/Neglect
Support for Parents/Guardians and Caregivers
Self-Care
Seniors
  • Sudbury Senior Center: Staff continue to offer support despite building closure, 978-443-3055. 
    • Phone Buddies: The Senior Center is offering a new service, matching approved volunteers with seniors in the community for once a week calls for friendship and conversation. Please contact the Senior Center at senior@sudbury.ma.us or 978-443-3055.
Support for Coping with Substance Use
Transportation

Free Transportation to COVID Vaccines through Mass Health

Go Sudbury! A Free, Fully Subsidized Temporary Taxi Program

Sudbury Senior Center Transportation Options updated March 2021

Veterans
Volunteer and Donation Opportunities

 

 

 

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