City of New Orleans Starts Covid-19 Rental Assistance Program
The City of New Orleans in partnership with Total Community Action is offering rental assistance to households that have been impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic. The program is designed to benefit low to moderate income households impacted by COVID-19. To apply, residents should call the Mayor’s Office of Community Development (OCD) at 504-658-4200 to begin the intake process.
To learn more about this program and to apply, please visit ready.nola.gov/rent
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NORD Adds Additional Sites to After School Feeding Program
NORD, in partnership with Second Harvest, is offering hot meals from 4pm-6pm, Monday thru Friday, at all rec centers except Annunciation Rec Center and (6) six playgrounds, for youth ages 18 and under. Please click this link or visit https://nolapublicschools.com/covid19/nutrition for locations and times.
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New Citywide Feeding Program Schedule
In an effort to better serve and protect the health of students, families, food service providers and staff at community feeding sites, NOLA Public Schools’ and partners are condensing the weekly schedule at the Citywide Feeding Program sites by providing multiple days of meals during specific daily time frames. See the updated schedule below:
• Every Monday meals will be provided for 2 days
• Every Wednesday meals will be provided for 3 days
• Moving forward Community Feeding sites will NOT be open on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday
• Service hours will remain the same, 9 AM – 12 PM
For more information, please click this link or visit https://nolapublicschools.com/covid19/nutrition.
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Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Hotline
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services has launched a toll-free civil legal help hotline to assist low-income residents of southeast Louisiana impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please call the hotline at 1-844-244-7871, Monday-Friday, from 9am-5pm. Callers must meet financial and other requirements to receive free civil legal assistance. Online applications are also available at https://slls.org/
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City Launches Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Drive for First Responders
This, the City of New Orleans launched a week-long personal protective equipment (PPE) drive for first responders, who are in desperate need of additional PPE.
Dropbox locations include:
Engine house 16 (2000 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd)
Engine house 21 (3940 Paris Ave)
Engine house 27 (2118 Elysian Fields Ave)
Items accepted include unused, unopened: masks (surgical, P100, N95), gloves (latex or nitrile), disposable medical gowns, goggles, and face shields.
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Unemployment Insurance
The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) has released information for workers in Louisiana who have been impacted by COVID-19. Those who are eligible to received Unemployment Insurance benefits will also qualify for SNAP benefits
As a worker, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance if:
- Your work hours have been reduced because of lack of work due to Coronavirus.
- Your workplace closes temporarily, and you are not being compensated.
- You have been instructed not to go to work, and you are not being paid while at home.
If any of these situations apply to you, you can file a claim for unemployment insurance by visiting www.louisianaworks.net/hire or calling 866-783-5567. Be sure to answer “yes” to the question, “Are you filing for Unemployment Insurance benefits for reasons related to COVID-19 ?” This will provide needed information to the LWC to help process your claim.
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Small Business Administration
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has several programs to support businesses and business owners as they navigate the COVID crisis:
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Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL): The SBA declared a disaster in the state of Louisiana and made Economic Injury Disaster Loans available to small businesses (including sole proprietors) and nonprofits. Impacted small businesses may apply for up to $2 million in working capital to pay for fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the COVID-19 disaster. Loan terms (3.75% interest rate for small businesses; 2.75% for nonprofits) may be extended up to 30 years to keep payments affordable. With the passage of the CARES Act, up to $10,000 of an EIDL is forgivable.
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Paycheck Protection Program: The CARES Act created the Paycheck Protection Program, which is an expansion of the existing SBA 7(a) program. Working through a network of approved lenders, this program forgives loans to employers, independent contractors, and gig workers who maintain their payrolls. Rent, mortgage payments, and some other eligible expenses are also forgivable. Reach out to your lender or an approved SBA 7(a) lender to apply. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can residents get tested in the City?
Residents are encouraged to contact their primary care provider (PCP) to discuss concerns. If you do not have a primary care provider, you can call the Louisiana Department of Health Hotline at (855) 523-2652.
Can residents get tested more than once for COVID-19?
Anyone who is symptomatic, even if they have tested negative, should be staying at home per the Stay at Home mandate. If this individual still has symptoms, they should seek guidance from their primary care provider because likely they have a different illness. If their primary care physician believes they should be tested again, then that can be arranged by their physician or at a drive thru testing site.
Are there any mental health resources available?
Yes. To speak with experienced crisis counselors, residents can call the SAMHSA disaster distress hotline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
Is it possible to create a direct call-in line for residents with questions and concerns?
Residents can call 311 or (504)658-2299 to receive information. You can also text COVIDNOLA to 888777 to receive updates.
What resources can the City provide to seniors and children?
Hot meals are being provided to children and seniors in our partnerships with NOLA Public Schools, Second Harvest Food Bank, Council on Aging, and Nola Tree Project. For more information visit ready.nola.gov.
Where can I donate PPE?
Individuals or businesses in the New Orleans region who have personal protective equipment (PPE) and are willing to spare it for a first responder are asked to drop items at one of three re-purposed Salvation Army drop boxes adjacent to New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) firehouses. Businesses that may have these items in their inventory include construction companies, non-emergency medical providers like dentist offices, tattoo parlors, nail salons and spas, restaurants, and housekeeping companies. For donations larger than what could fit in a drop box, please contact ppedonations@nola.gov.
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