Updates on latest information about Covid-19

Man delivering supplies

Volunteers Across North America Deliver Life’s Essentials to High-Risk Individuals

March 27, 2020 — In an immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a team of Rotary & non-Rotary volunteers have launched an initiative to provide high risk individuals in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia with essential grocery and medicine delivery. The Covid-19 Rotary Response team is currently expanding its reach by opening this…

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Governors Order Residents To Stay Home As Confirmed U.S. Cases Of COVID-19 Rise

Confirmed total cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, surpassed 300,000 worldwide over the weekend, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. As testing capabilities expanded over the past week, the number of confirmed cases in the United States continued to climb. The U.S. now has the third-largest number of confirmed cases, behind China…

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Coronavirus: what happens to people’s lungs if they get Covid-19?

What became known as Covid-19, or the coronavirus, started in late 2019 as a cluster of pneumonia cases with an unknown cause. The cause of the pneumonia was found to be a new virus – severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or Sars-CoV-2. The illness caused by the virus is Covid-19. Now declared as a…

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Covid 19 Hotlines & Resources

To view resources in Spanish please visit this link

Health

  • CASA’s Health Hotline: 301-270-8432 (Spanish/English) 240-270-1318 (French/English)
  • Call this number for any health-related questions and concerns.
  • If you have an emergency, call your health-care provider or 911.

Legal

  • CASA’s Legal Hotline: 301-431-4185 (Spanish/English)
  • Leave a detailed message and a member of CASA’s legal team will return your call as soon as possible.
  • Call for FREE and CONFIDENTIAL advice and referral information.

Census

  • CASA’s Census Hotline: 1-888-214-6016
  • Call for any questions about the census.

Solidarity Fund

  • CASA has a fund that will directly distribute cash benefits to CASA members who were unjustly and summarily ignored by the federal government in the CARES Act stimulus package.
  • More information about applying for this fund COMING SOON. Check back soon.
  • Donate to the fund here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/casasolidarityfund

Federal/General

General Health Information

CDC COVID-19 Self-Checker

Public Charge

  • Seeking necessary medical treatment or preventative services relating to COVID-19 will NOT be considered negatively in the public charge analysis.
  • USCIS will not consider testing, treatment, nor preventative care (including vaccines, if a vaccine becomes available) related to COVID-19 as part of a negative public charge determination, nor will it count toward a negative public benefit determination, if testing, treatment, or preventative care is accessed through a public benefit.
  • Individuals applying for an immigration benefit who may be subject to a public charge determination can supply an explanation for their use of public benefits during this period if the benefits were received based on quarantine/social distancing measures or from the voluntary closure of an individual’s employer or school.
  • https://www.uscis.gov/greencard/public-charge

Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Checks)

  • People with ITIN numbers are NOT eligible for the stimulus check.
  • Eligibility and Amount: Tax filers with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment. For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$150,000 thresholds. Single filers with income exceeding $99,000 and $198,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible. Social Security recipients and railroad retirees who are otherwise not required to file a tax return are also eligible and will not be required to file a return.
  • Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or 2018 will automatically receive an economic impact payment of up to $1,200 for individuals or $2,400 for married couples and up to $500 for each qualifying child.
  • IRS is currently working on a web-based portal to provide banking information if your direct deposit was not included on your 2018 tax return.
  • More information: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know
  • IRS COVID-19 page: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments
  • Calculate how much you will get: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/business/coronavirus-stimulus-check-calculator/

Evictions

Landlord-tenant court is currently CLOSED. Once court reopens, cases involving non-payment of rent, tenant holding over, and breach of lease will start being heard again.

  • Landlords can file new cases while the court is closed. However, the court will not schedule hearings in those cases and will not issue eviction orders while the court is closed.
  • The landlord may sue you for unpaid back rent — even rent that became due during the state of emergency. We do not know yet how judges will handle cases where tenants could not pay rent due to the state of emergency.
  • ALWAYS GO TO COURT. Failure to appear may result in a default eviction order. Bring all documentation with you, INCLUDING PROOF THAT YOU WERE OUT OF WORK BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY.
  • IMPORTANT: Make sure you understand what the judge has decided. It is fine to ask questions if you need to!

Federal Taxes

  • The deadline to FILE and PAY federal income taxes are extended to July 15, 2020.
  • If you file your 2019 taxes, you will still get your refund. However, if you owe money to the IRS, you are still required to pay it.
  • Apply for a payment plan here: https://www.irs.gov/payments/online-payment-agreement-application
  • *Note that CASA’s VITA Tax Clinic is currently closed due to COVID-19. You can still get assistance in Spanish by calling 240-560-2270.

Foreclosures

Student Loans

Tracking of COVID-19 Cases

ICE Enforcement

  • ICE has indicated they will limit enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic to individuals who represent a risk to public safety or who are subject to mandatory detention based on criminal grounds. This does not mean, however, that ICE can only arrest or detain those individuals. If you do not have lawful immigration status DO NOT reveal your status to ICE or any other law enforcement officer without first consulting an attorney.
  • For more information on immigration updates during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit CASA’s website here.  For general immigration-related Know Your Rights information, check here.
  • IMPORTANT: If you are in need of medical attention, contact a health care provider or get emergency care immediately. ICE has stated that they will NOT engage in enforcement activity in hospitals or other healthcare centers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • More information on ICE enforcement and immigration check-ins during COVID-19 can be found here:https://www.ice.gov/covid19

USCIS

As of March 18, USCIS has suspended routine in-person services through at least May 3, 2020. USCIS staff will continue to process applications that do not require contact with the public.

  • Interviews: USCIS will send notices with instructions to applicants and petitioners with scheduled interview appointments or naturalization ceremonies during the time of the closure. They will automatically be rescheduled once offices reopen. https://www.uscis.gov/contactcenter
  • InfoPass: Individuals who had InfoPass appointments with a Field Office must reschedule through the USCIS Contact Center at https://www.uscis.gov/contactcenter
  • Biometrics All biometrics appointments scheduled for during the closure will be automatically rescheduled.
  • Asylum Interviews USCIS asylum offices will send interview cancellation notices and automatically reschedule asylum interviews. Contact information for all asylum offices can be found at https://egov.uscis.gov/office-locator/#/asy

For certain, limited situations, USCIS will provide emergency services.

  • Contact USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 if you are in need of an emergency service
  • If you have moved and your address has changed since you filed your paperwork with USCIS, please visit the following website to change you address online with USCIS: https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange

ILRC USCIS COVID-19 Impact Fact Sheet (April 2020):  https://www.ilrc.org/practice-alert-temporary-changes-us-citizenship-and-immigration-services-uscis-response-covid-19

Immigration Court Hearings

All non-detained hearings scheduled through May 1, 2020, have been postponed. Immigration courts will send out new notices of hearings with a new date and time for these cases. Individuals should make sure the immigration court has their correct address to ensure that they will receive their new notice of hearing.

All detained cases are proceeding as scheduled.

  • For legal assistance for individuals in detention, contact CAIR Coalition by email or phone at:
    Detained Adults: adults@caircoalition.org or 202-331-3320, extension 7027
    Detained Children: children@caircoalition.org or 202-331-3320, extension 7025

Motion Filings

All motions that are due to a court during the temporary closure should be filed by March 30. Filing deadlines after March 30 remain in effect subject to the discretion of the immigration judge.

As of March 30, 2020:

  • Baltimore Immigration Court is open. As noted above, non-detained cases are NOT being heard at least through May 1 and will be rescheduled.
  • Arlington Immigration Court is open for filings and detained hearings only.
  • Philadelphia Immigration Court is open for filings and detained hearings only.

For up-to-date information about the immigration courts, visit: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/eoir-operational-status-during-coronavirus-pandemic

IMPORTANT: If you have a court date or a motion due to the court, consult with your lawyer (if you have one) and check the status of the court regularly to make sure you don’t miss a deadline or court appearance. If you fail to show up for court, the Immigration Judge can still order you deported.

National Detention and Abuse Hotline

  • For those inside detention: 9233 (might need to type something in front depending on the local system)
  • For families outside detention: 209-757-3733
  • 9AM to 11PM (run by Freedom for Immigrants) multilingual lines.
  • Encouraging calls to report outbreaks, quarantines, concerns, protests, etc during COVID-19 – as well as any other issues that are not related to the virus.
  • *Just won a case allowing their phone lines to continue and NOT be monitored by ICE.

Mental Health

Travel

  • Although many of us have family all over the world, the CDC has recommended that travelers avoid ALL non-essential international travel due to the pandemic.
  • If you MUST travel, be sure to check the country’s travel restrictions (many countries have issued bans, mandatory quarantines, closing borders, prohibitions on non-citizens from entry) and airline restrictions. Travel will be unpredictable and should be avoided.
  • CDC Travel FAQs: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/faqs.html

National Domestic Violence Hotline

  • For anyone affected by abuse and needing support, call 1-800-799-7233 (English/Spanish), or if you’re unable to speak safely, you can log onto thehotline.org to use the chat function or text LOVEIS to 22522.
  • The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are in an emergency situation, please call 911.
  • Chat safely online here in Spanish: https://espanol.thehotline.org/

Internet Essentials from Comcast

  • Comcast has a program to expand broadband adoption among low-income American households receiving HUD housing assistance or with at least once child eligible to receive free or reduced price school lunches.
  • Once in the program, participants receive fast, affordable Internet service with Wi-Fi for $9.95/mo + tax, the option to purchase a computer for $150 and access to free digital literacy training.
  • To learn more or apply, call 1-855-846-8376 or visit www.internetessentials.com

Maryland

COVID General Information and FAQs (Many Languages)

Stay-at-Home Order

Evictions

  • Governor Hogan issues an emergency order that prohibits Maryland courts from ordering the eviction of any tenant who can show that their failure to pay rent was the result of COVID 19 while the state of emergency remains in effect.
  • IMPORTANT:  When the State of Emergency is over, you will still be responsible for paying any back rent you owe and your landlord may move forward with eviction proceedings.  If you have been impacted by COVID-19 (lost your job or suffered other financial hardship) try to negotiate a reduced rent or rent forgiveness right away. *If you are a CASA member, please contact your local organizer for assistance with this.
  • https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Executive-Order-Temp-Evictions-Prohibiting.pdf

Voting

Utilities

State Taxes

  • The Comptroller of Maryland has extended the tax filing deadline to July 15th.
  • Extension is automatic (no request necessary)
  • Email COVID19@marylandtaxes.gov with questions about payment plans.
  • Beginning Monday March 23 at 4:30PM special taxpayer assistance taxhelp@marylandtaxes.gov.
  • *Note that CASA’s VITA Tax Clinic is currently closed due to COVID-19. You can still get assistance in Spanish by calling 240-560-2270.

Unemployment

  • If your last name starts with A-F, file your claim on Monday.
  • If your last name starts with G-N, file your claim on Tuesday.
  • If your last name states with O-Z, file your claim on Wednesday.
  • Claim filing is open to all last names by phone on Thursday and Friday – and online Thursday through Sunday.

Maryland Health Benefit Exchange

Senior Call Check-Ins

  • The Department of Aging is hosting a free, opt-in, telephonic service to check on older residents.
  • For seniors 65+ to have someone check in with them daily.
  • Calls will take place between 8AM and 4PM. If they don’t answer, two more calls will be made that day. If these calls go unanswered, additional calls will be made to notify an alternative person who is selected during enrollment.
  • Verification and enrollment can be completed within 24 hours Monday – Saturday
  • Register online here: https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/senior-call-check-sign-up.aspx
  • Register by phone: 1-866-50-CHECK (1-866-502-0560)
  • More information: https://aging.maryland.gov/Pages/senior-call-check.aspx
  • *Not clear if this is available in Spanish.

Maryland Meals Site Search

Grocery Shopping for Seniors

  • Many grocery stores are offering early shopping hours for seniors.
  • Giant: Effective Friday March 20, Giant stores will offer dedicated shopping hours to elderly and immune-compromised between 6-7AM every day.
  • Safeway: Special hours for seniors to shop on Tuesday and Thursdays from 7AM to 9AM.
  • Target: Starting March 18 – First hour of shopping open to elderly and immune-compromised only (8AM-9AM)

Maryland Food Bank

Carryout and Delivery

Price Gouging & Scams

Anne Arundel County

*If you are a CASA member and you need assistance with any of the following resources or information, please contact 410-732-7777 or email Lydia Walther-Rodriguez at lwalther@wearecasa.org or Gaby Roque at groque@wearecasa.org.

COVID-19 Health Hotline

Text Updates

  • Text JOIN COVID to 30890 for regular updates on COVID response in Anne Arundel.

Meals for Children

  • Anne Arundel County Public Schools will serve free meals to children ages 2 to 18 at 52 sites across the county Monday through Friday while schools are closed.
  • Children will receive breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a single pickup. Adults may not pick up meals for children.
  • Complete list of schools and mobile sites: https://gis.aacounty.org/mapping/index.html?viewer=covid19

Senior Nutrition Lunch Service

  • The AA County Dept. of Aging and Disabilities will reinstate the Senior Nutrition Lunch service beginning 03/24/2020.
  • Seven meals per each Senior Nutrition Program client will be distributed at senior activity centers each Tues from 11AM-1PM.
  • Search for centers here: https://gis.aacounty.org/mapping/index.html?viewer=covid19

UM BWMC Hungry Harvest & Caring Cupboard

  • Free produce boxes, snack packs and other items for students ages 0=18 and their families while school is out.
  • No income or registration requirements. Boxes are one per family while supplies last. For questions email rebecca.dooley@umm.edu
  • Boxes include: 12-16 lbs of fruit and vegetables, 1 loaf of bread, and 4 12 oz. protein shakes.
  • Saturdays (March 28, April 4,11 and 18) at Hilltop Elementary School (415 Melrose Ave, Glenburnie)

Baltimore City

*If you are a CASA member and you need assistance with any of the following resources or information, please contact 410-732-7777 or email Lydia Walther-Rodriguez at lwalther@wearecasa.org or Gaby Roque at groque@wearecasa.org.

Baltimore Mutual Aid Network

Free Food Map (Seniors/Youth)

Baltimore City Schools Food Distribution

Primary Care Clinics for Uninsured

Public Housing Rent Adjustments

Baltimore County

*If you are a CASA member and you need assistance with any of the following resources or information, please contact 410-732-7777 or email Lydia Walther-Rodriguez at lwalther@wearecasa.org or Gaby Roque at groque@wearecasa.org.

COVID-19 Phone Hotline

  • Call 410-887-3816 with questions or concerns regarding COVID-19
  • Hotline is open seven days a week from 8:30AM to 5PM

Food Access Hotline

Free Meals for Students Aged 18 and Younger

  • Baltimore County Public Schools is providing meals for students 18 and younger.
  • Meals may be picked up in the parking lots of the locations Monday through Friday from 11AM to 1PM.
  • Note that meals will not be distributed on two scheduled holidays: Friday April 10th and Monday April 13th.
  • Please see a list of schools are are offering the meals below: https://www.bcps.org/system/coronavirus/Meal_Sites_03_26_2020.pdf

Groceries for Families

  • Groceries for families are distributed at the Recreation and Parks PAL Centers and several additional locations on Saturdays only starting at 11AM.
  • Residents can drive up and have food places in their cars without leaving their cars. One package per car.
  • See here for more information: https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/News/foodresources.html

Baltimore County Websites and Twitter

Howard County

*If you are a CASA member and you need assistance with any of the following resources or information, please contact 410-732-7777 or email Lydia Walther-Rodriguez at lwalther@wearecasa.org or Gaby Roque at groque@wearecasa.org.

COVID-19 Information Hotline

  • Information line available from 8AM to 5PM weekdays and weekends: 410-313-6284.

Individual Resource Requests

  • Please fill out this form if you are a resident of Howard County with needs related to COVID-19. Submission does not guarantee delivery of resources.
  • **This form is not to be used for medical resource requests. No medical equipment will be fulfilled through this form.
  • Submit your request here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeet5DGRIq8uk4EFb7KegR8-mPYO82ROooamLPRygRL0o1n0w/viewform
  • If you are a non-profit, faith-based organization, business, community organization, etc – please join the Howard County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) by emailing HoCOAD@gmail.com.

Community Based Resource Requests

Housing Assistance

  • The Community Action Council of Howard County offers housing assistance to low-income Howard County residents. Assistance includes eviction prevention, one month’s rent (assists with paying one month’s rent past due) and other housing emergencies
  • More information: https://www.cac-hc.org/programs-services/housing-assistance/

HoCo Food Go

HCPSS Student Meals

  • Howard County Public Schools will continue to provide free Grab-N-Go meals to anyone age 18 and under and/or any HCPSS student, regardless of age, throughout state-mandated school closures (extended through April 24).
  • Meals available from 11:30AM to 1:30PM weekdays only – will get lunch and dinner, along with breakfast for the next day.
  • No application, enrollment or fee for this program.
  • *Not that there will be no meal services Friday April 10 or Monday April 13. Meals for those days will be distributed Thursday April 9 with instructions for storage and prep.
  • Info here: https://news.hcpss.org/news-posts/2020/03/hcpss-to-expand-free-meal-service-during-school-closures-through-april-24-2020/

Montgomery County

*If you are a CASA member and you need assistance with any of the following resources or information, please contact Ana Martinez at amartinez@wearecasa.org.

Face Mask Requirement

Email Updates

Emergency Closure Meals Service for MCPS Students

Rental Assistance

Renter’s Issues

  • For Questions about Landlord-Tenant Affairs call 311 (240-777-0311) or reach out via email to olta.intake@montgomerycountymd.gov
  • Information on landlord and tenant rights and responsibilities: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DHCA/housing/landlordtenant/handbook.html
  • FAQ on tenants rights during the pandemic  in Montgomery County: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DHCA/covid-19_tenants.html
  • If you have COVID-19 or are being investigated (tested) for COVID-19: Tenants and/or authorized occupants cannot be evicted under Maryland’s “imminent danger” law for having COVID 19 or for being investigated/tested for the virus. If your landlord asks you to move because you have or are being investigated/tested for the virus, call the county at 311 and/or seek immediate legal advice.
  • During the state of emergency, the landlord is still responsible for repairing conditions that threaten life, health or safety. Notify your landlord about these situations immediately and about any other repairs that are needed. Put your notice in a dated letter and deliver/mail to the landlord or rental office.
  • You can report/complain about the conditions by calling the county at 311.
  • During the state of emergency, county inspectors are only handling emergency cases. When you call 311, ask how long it will take to have an inspector come to your residence.
  • During the state of emergency, the county is not conducting housing inspections and landlords are being given extensions for making non-emergency repairs.
  • IMPORTANT: County inspectors are neutral parties. They have authority to also issue citations to tenants who are violating the county housing code, such as keeping the premises clean and using plumbing and appliances in the right way.

Utility Assistance Program

Manna Food Distribution Sites

Emergency Small Business Public Health Grant Program

Emergency Assistance

  • The Montgomery County Council has passed an emergency relief fund that includes $5M financial assistance for residents, $1M services for vulnerable residents, $10M for county hospitals, $260K food security, and $250K for hotel rooms for health/emergency workers.
  • Information coming soon on how to apply for this relief. Check back soon.

Chromebooks/Wireless Hotspot for MCPS Students

  • MCPS is distributing Chromebooks to students who submitted a request, but have added future opportunities for those who haven’t submitted requests yet. If a student still needs a Chromebook, they should submit their request directly to their school to be added to the list.
  • Their school should also answer any questions about when and where to pick up at the next available distribution (week of April 13th)
  • Students and parents can call 240-740-7023 between 7AM and 5PM for help or for more information.

MCPS Online Questions Form

Technical Support for MCPS Students

  • Zoom tips and troubleshooting:  https://docs.google.com/document/u/1/d/11xKByIByOqPA3NsVioDTN38s9bMjebeERpnDKiYKU5M/mobilebasic
  • General Support: 240-740-7023 (7AM to 5PM from Monday to Friday) or send an email to intructionalresrouces@mcpsmd.org.
  • Parents and students can send requests to myMCPS_Support@mcpsmd.net in order to obtain or reset their account login credentials. Note that you may be referred back to your school if there is a hold on your account or if your contact information is not in the MCPS system.

County Mental Health Hotline

  • If you are in immediate need of talking to someone about your stress and anxiety, you can call the County’s 24/7 Crisis Center at 240-777-4000.
  • EveryMind also has a 24/7 hotline available at 301-738-2255.

Montgomery County Abuse Hotlines

  • Abused Persons Program 240-777-4210
  • Victim Assistance and Sexual Assault Program 240-777-4357
  • Adult Abuse and Neglect Reporting Line 240-777-3000
  • Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Line 240-777-4417

Prince George’s County

*If you are a CASA member and you need assistance with any of the following resources or information, please contact Trent Leon-Lierman at tleon@wearecasa.org or 443-897-0079.

Face Mask Requirement

COVID-19 Hotline

  • Call the Prince George’s County Health Dept. Hotline at 301-883-6627 between 8AM and 8PM.
  • Takes questions regarding community resources, testing, screenings, child care, schools, volunteering

Reporting Non-Violent Crime

  • Prince George’s Police Department now takes reports of non-violent crimes over the phone instead of in person. This applies to property crimes where a suspect is no longer on the scene.
  • Begins Monday March 23rd

COVID-19 Employee Relief Fund

COVID-19 Business Relief Fund

Meal Sites

Grocery Support for Hyattsville Residents