COVID-19 has hit the Bronx, hard.
But there's help.

The resources below can help students, business owners, and everyone in the community

#BronxReliefEffort

NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene

24-Hour Coronavirus hotline

Questions related to COVID-19? Call 1-888-364-3065

In need of emotional support? Call 1-844-863-9314

Health Resources & Services Administration Health Centers

If you’re feeling sick, Health Centers can assess whether you need further testing and provide primary care at a reduced cost or free of charge.

One Medical

Offers free testing and 30 day trial membership for all NYC residents with Coronavirus concerns.

New York State Testing

Free testing for all eligible New Yorkers. Available through health care providers or by calling the NYS COVID-19 hotline: 1-888-364-3065

COVID-19 Vaccine

The COVID-19 vaccine will be distributed in phases to groups of people at increased risk of COVID-19 exposure or severe COVID-19 illness. Phased distribution will take time, with vaccines not expected to be widely available to all New Yorkers until mid-2021.

Bronx Defenders

Provides legal defense for low-income Bronx residents. Current clients can also access the Client Emergency Fund.

For emergency legal support call: 347-778-1266

To contact a staff member or reception call: 718-838-7878

Protecting Immigrant Families

Provides information on immigrant eligibility of federal public programs during the COVID-19 public health crisis.

Moratorium on evictions

No one can be evicted in New York state until at least January 1st, 2021.

NYC 24-Hour Domestic Violence Hotline

Survivors may receive temporary housing, emergency shelter and supportive services for themselves and their family. Available 24/7 at 1-800-621-HOPE (4673)

National Alliance on Mental Illness Crisis Text Line

Text HOME to 741741 to text with a live, trained Crisis Counselor.

FoodHelp NYC

Groceries and hot meals are available at food pantries and community kitchens in all five boroughs

NYC Food Delivery Assistance

City service that delivers meals to New Yorkers who cannot access food themselves.

Know Your Rights

If you are facing rental hardships due to COVID-19, there's help, like Rent Hardship assistance for NYCHA residents and emergency "one-shot" assistance.

Emergency Housing

NYC is offering short-term emergency shelter and crisis intervention to homeless and runaway youth. For help, call Youth Connect at 800-246-4646.

ACCESS NYC

Over 30 programs available to individuals and families regardless of immigration status.

Take-Out Meals for Remote Learning

Remote learning students may pick up a free breakfast and lunch at select locations. The parents/guardians of those students may also pick up the take-out meals. Take-out meals are available on school days only between 9 AM and 12 PM. You don’t need to register or show any ID or documents.

Community Food Fridges

Community Food Fridges are fridges that offer free food, to whoever wants it. Take what you need, leave what you don't. Set up and maintained by community members, many of the fridges are available 24/7.

Lemontree Food Helpline

Call or text the Lemontree Food Helpline for help finding the closest food pantry, applying for SNAP, and more. Your call will be answered by a real person who will connect you to the best resources available. They're open 10AM-6PM, every day of the week. Text FOOD to 90847, or call 888-489-7212 to get help now.

Unemployment Insurance Assistance

Temporary income available to individuals who lose their jobs through no fault of their own. Additional benefits available due to COVID-19.

NYC Workforce 1 Virtual Career Center

NYC Small Business Services helps New Yorkers prepare for and connect to jobs across all five boroughs for free.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

Provides economic support for Americans who are unemployed due to COVID-19 but do not qualify for traditional Unemployment Insurance.

NYS COVID Rent Relief Extension Program

The COVID Rent Relief Extension Program will provide eligible households with a one-time rental subsidy that will be sent directly to the household’s landlord. Applicants will not need to repay this assistance.

Paycheck Protection Program

A forgivable loan providing a direct incentive for small businesses to keep workers on payroll. Nonprofits also eligible.


(Note: SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities)

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance

A forgivable loan advance providing economic support to help small businesses overcome loss of revenue as a result of COVID-19.

SBA Express Bridge Loans

A loan for small businesses who currently have a relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.

SBA Debt Relief

SBA will pay 6 months of principal, interest, and associated fees on pre-existing loans and loans disbursed before September 27, 2020.

United Way of New York City COVID-19 Community Fund

Provides rapid crisis relief grants to nonprofit organizations that work with communities disproportionately impacted by coronavirus

The Bronx Community Relief Effort Grant

A grant for the Bronx community with funds set aside for small businesses.

New York Forward Loan Fund (NYFLF)

Provides loans for small business, nonprofits, and small landlords who did not receive SBA Paycheck Protection Program or Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance loans.

New York Small Business Development Center (NYSBDC)

Provides free business counseling, training, and business research to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

NYCDOE iPad Loaner

The NYCDOE is loaning iPads to NYC students K–12 who need a device for remote education.

NYC DOE Technical Support for Families

NYC public school students and family can get free tech support for their devices.

Free WiFi Hotspots

Altice and Charter (Spectrum) have made their WiFi Hotspots free to use for all.


(Note: Most Internet Service Providers, ISPs, are offering free service or promotional pricing during the pandemic to help keep students and families online. Call your local ISP to see if you are eligible.)

New York Public Library

Get free online homework help from one-on-one tutors, daily from 2–11 PM. Available in English and Spanish, from early elementary through high school grades, in core subject areas. Video content and other resources are also available 24 hours a day

Khan Academy

Daily school schedules created for students from Pre-K through high school. Available in multiple languages, offers self-paced, interactive content in core subject areas.

Rising New York Road Runners

Offers indoor and outdoor activities to help students PreK-12 and their families stay active at home.

Per Scholas - Tech Training for Adults

Provides training, education, and certification for unemployed and underemployed adults interested in careers in technology.

Learning Bridges

Learning Bridges is a new program that provides free child care options for children from 3-K through 8th grade on days when they are scheduled for remote learning.

Free Classes on Coursera for Unemployed New Yorkers

The New York State Department of Labor is partnering with Coursera, the leading online training provider. Through Coursera, unemployed New Yorkers will have access to nearly 4,000 programs across high-growth industries and can hone skills in data science, business, and technology.

My Bronx Impact

An online tool created to help you find more free or cost-based local resources like internet access, grocery delivery, medical care, financial assistance, and more.

Bronx Stix Together

For more resources, like creating your own personal protective equipment (PPE) or finding hand sanitizer, The Bronx Documentary Center has put together a website to help.

Bronx Mutual Aid Network for COVID-19 "Volunteer" Form

If you are in The Bronx, please sign-up to volunteer with the Bronx Mutual Aid Network.