Committed to serving you in these turbulent times and beyond, the Better WorkLife Life Assistance program connects our candidates, associates, and colleagues to critical resources. Please share this list of resources with anyone you know who may need them and check back regularly.
COVID-19 Updates
- Preventing the Spread of COVID-19
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html
- This guidance provides clarification regarding evaluation for home isolation and a new section with information regarding preventative steps for household members, intimate partners, and caregivers in a nonhealthcare setting of a person with symptomatic, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19.
- Importance of Proper Hand Hygiene
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/infection-control/hcp-hand-sanitizer.html
- The ability of hand hygiene, including handwashing or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers to prevent infections is related to reductions in the number of viable pathogens that transiently contaminate the hands.
TELEMED
- Free Options:
- https://www.getroman.com/health-guide/coronavirus/: The associate fills out an assessment. Depending upon the results, they will connect the person with a doctor for a free video consultation.
- Medicare patients can use telemedicine platforms at no charge during the COVID-19 crisis.
- Low-Cost Options:
- Good RX - https://www.goodrx.com/go/care?utm_campaign=8994407742&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=kwd-21943761&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmpb0BRCBARIsAG7y4zYuQlPPlvXOP2BGDSZsXlARzadIKQwqYQdcuzHDzLg0v-Km1_UHRGAaAhu2EALw_wcB: Provides telemedicine visits for $20 and provides prescription savings up to 80%.
- https://urgentcarekids.com/pediatric-telemedicine-for-kids/: This site provides telemedicine visits for children for $50.
FOOD
- USDA National Hunger Hotline
- https://www.usa.gov/food-help
- Find out how to get food in case of an emergency, apply for food stamps and what free or low-cost food programs are available for infants, children and seniors.
- USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY (1-866-348-6479) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (1-877-842-6273).
- The hotline operates Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM Eastern Time.
- USDA Summer Food Service Program
- https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program
- You can text “Summer Meals” to 97779 or call 1-866-348-6479 to find a site near you.
- SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
- https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/361#Eligibility_Checker
- SNAP provides benefits to eligible low-income individuals and families via an Electronic Benefits Transfer card.
- Call your state SNAP office, or call 1-800-221-5689
CLOTHING
- Volunteers of America
- https://www.voa.org/assistance-with-basic-needs
- Search their website for local assistance programs for basic needs.
- (703) 341-5000
- Salvation Army Emergency Assistance
- https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/metro/emergency-assistance-and-homelessness-prevention/
- Call the hotline at 773.205.3520
CRISIS SUPPORT
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for Our Associates
- A free benefit offering for you and your family! Anthem’s EAP is a free and confidential counseling service that provides professional help for a broad range of concerns including stress management, drug dependency, depression, workplace, legal, or financial concerns. Please call 800-999-7222 to begin. Be sure to mention “EmployBridge” to the operator.
- Mental Health
- People with preexisting mental health conditions should continue with their treatment and be aware of new or worsening symptoms. Additional information can be found at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSAexternal icon) website.
- Taking care of yourself, your friends, and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger.
- Domestic Violence
- When survivors are forced to stay in the home or proximity of their abuser, it can create circumstances where their safety is compromised, and they may need to alter their safety plan.
- For any victims and survivors who need support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is here for you, 24/7. Visit: https://www.thehotline.org/
- Call 1-800-799-7233 or if you’re unable to speak safely, you can log into thehotline.org or text LOVEIS to 22522. You are not alone.
- GET HELP WITHOUT SAYING A WORD.
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat/
- Please call the Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
- Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
- National Human Trafficking Hotline
- https://humantraffickinghotline.org/
- 1-888-373-7888
- Text: 233733
- 24/7 Confidential
CHILDREN/FAMILY
- TANF - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/help
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federally funded, state-run benefits program. Also known as welfare, TANF helps families achieve independence after experiencing temporary difficulties.
- Contact your State TANF office for local TANF information
- info.OFA@acf.hhs.gov
- National Diaper Bank Network
- https://nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org/member-directory/
- To find out if an agency in your area provides diaper assistance to families in need, please call 2-1-1 on your phone or search online at 2-1-1.org.
- Free Virtual Museum Tours
- Google Arts & Culture partnered with more than 500 museums and galleries worldwide bringing children FREE Virtual Tours and Online Exhibits! You can even watch New York’s Metropolitan Opera online every night through March 22nd! Among others, you’ll be able to see inside of Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, Guggenheim Museum in New York, and many more. These museums are a perfect learning experience for kids!
HOUSING/UTILITY
- Mortgage Assistance
- If you are having trouble paying your mortgage, the National Consumer Law Center recommends sending a temporary hardship letter to your mortgage company and see what your options are. The NCLC provides a sample hardship letter you can alter.
- Internet
- Several companies are offering free internet during the COIVD-19 crisis for those who are working from home, students of all ages, and for those who need to stay in touch with quarantines loved ones.
- Comcast is offering two months of free internet access to low-income households who qualify for its ‘Internet Essentials’ program. Comcast is also increasing the internet speed for these customers from 15 Mbps to 25 Mbps. All new customers will receive a new install kit that comes with a cable modem and WiFi router. There is no term contract. You can sign up here.
- See details and apply for AT&T’s low cost internet plans here.
- Spectrum internet company is offering free broadband and WiFi internet access to students impacted by the coronavirus shutdown. They are making their internet services available for free for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who don’t already have internet through the company. You can get more details here.
- LIHEAP - Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- https://www.disasterassistance.gov/get-assistance/forms-of-assistance/4468
- The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income households with their home energy bills.
- If you need help to apply or if you want to learn more about LIHEAP, contact the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project:
- Call 1-866-674-6327 or TTY 1-866-367-6228
- Email NEAR at energyassistance@ncat.org.
- Lifeline Phone Assistance
- https://www.lifelinesupport.org/
- USAC's Lifeline Support Center at lifelinesupport@usac.org or 1-800-234-9473.
- HUD - U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development
- https://www.usa.gov/finding-home
- Find HUD Approved Housing call 1-800-569-4287.