COVID-19 Bulletins
Beware of COVID-19 scams at home and online
Social media posts are circulating with a claim that representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are going to residences dressed in protective gear and conducting COVID-19 testing. This is untrue. The CDC is not visiting residents’ homes. During these times, scammers are seeking opportunities to take advantage of consumers. We encourage you to be vigilant in identifying scams and review these helpful tips:
– Scams can include social media posts, texts and websites meant to take your personal information and money and infect computers.
– Think twice before investing in companies who say they are working on a coronavirus cure. Check official sources like the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission before being lured into a scam.
– Be aware of fake fundraising. Verify the charity is legitimate. If someone wants donations in cash, gift card or by wiring money, don’t do it.
– Watch out for online marketing of vaccinations or products claiming to treat the virus.
– Do not click on unfamiliar links or emails. Phishing emails may mention the coronavirus, medical supplies or claim to be from government, national or local health organizations in order to get users to open the message that unleashes malware.
– Watch for emails claiming to be from the CDC or experts saying they have information about the virus.
– Be aware of entering personal information into websites.
Call 911 in case of any emergencies.
Florida Department of Children and Families encouraging alternate means regarding benefits
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) has temporarily closed all storefronts and lobbies to safeguard the public and employees from the spread of COVID-19. While these facilities are used to serve customers of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Medicaid programs, the department continues to use technology to ensure continuity of service.
The ACCESS Self-Service Portal allows clients to apply or reapply for benefits, report changes, upload documents, check the status of a benefit application and benefits. For Floridians that can’t apply online or over the phone, during the office closures, DCF has provided a secure drop box at existing storefront locations and instructions for clients to submit information and applications without human interaction. These drop boxes will be monitored and checked throughout the day to process information timely.
To apply for food assistance (SNAP), cash assistance (TANF) or Medicaid, individuals should go to https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.
Clients logging in to the ACCESS Self-Service Portal should go to https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/.
Customers are required to complete an interview to receive benefits. Customers should call 850-300-4323 (TTY 1-800-955-8771) to complete an interview by telephone.
Customers can order an EBT card, get information about EBT transactions, or report an EBT card as lost or stolen at https://www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/ or by calling 1-888-356-3281.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) response to COVID-19
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and Application Support Centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). However, USCIS will provide emergency services for limited situations.
Within the U.S., please dial 800-375-5283 (for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability: TTY 800-767-1833) to access an interactive menu 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are outside the United States or a U.S. territory, you can call 212-620-3418.
Housing Assistance & Shelters
Miami-Dade County will temporarily suspend housing evictions and water cut-offs until further notice. This means that law enforcement officers will not help landlords in removing tenants or serving evictions.
Food
Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the Broward School District are distributing food at numerous locations. For a list of Miami-Dade sites, go to covid19.dadeschools.net. For a list of Broward schools and more information, go to browardschools.com.
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami “elderly service” program is providing meals to those in need who are 60 or older, live independently in their homes and are registered with the program.
Employees are delivering meals to homes in South Florida. Please click here for more information.
Feeding South Florida is providing food and services to those who need it. The nonprofit serves Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe County and provides “direct-service programs” including benefits application assistance, access to its food pantry and home delivery for qualified individuals. Please click here for more information.
SENIORS: Additionally, stores such as Dollar General and Whole Foods will be opening an hour early for seniors to shop and avoid difficulties getting supplies.
Medical Resources
Testing centers are being prepared across South Florida. Also, please refer to this Center for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) Guide if you think you have the coronavirus: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html. For more information on COVID-19 prevention, please visit the Miami-Dade County website here for resources in English, Spanish, and Creole.
The CDC has released a symptom checker they are calling Clara. Click here to access it.
Click here for the Florida Division of Emergency Management information on 30-day medication refills during declared disaster events.
Utilities
If you are an FPL customer and are unable to pay your bill at this time, please click here for more information.
Verizon and Xfinity will waive late fees and not terminate the service of individuals who cannot pay their bills because of COVID-19. Additionally, Xfinity and AT&T have opened up hotspots around the country for 60 days to provide free internet access to customers and noncustomers. For more information on how to access hotspots for Xfinity, click here and for AT&T, click here. T-Mobile is providing all current T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers unlimited data for the next 60 days and free international calling to any country listed as Level 3 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, AT&T will not terminate wireless, home phone or broadband service when customers can’t pay their bills because of COVID-19.
Job Assistance
If you have been laid off, unable to work, or not being paid because of COVID-19, you can apply for Reemployment Assistance online or via phone. For more information visit the Deparment of Economic Opportunities’ official website: http://floridajobs.org/
Childcare & Education
YMCA’s in Miami-Dade and Broward will provide free childcare services for children of first responders, healthcare workers as well as city and county staffers. Please click here for a list of participating YMCAs.
Miami-Dade County Public Schools have support lines available for mental health, instructional learning, employee assistance, emergency operations. Please click here.
All Miami-Dade and Broward schools will be closed until at least April 15th.
Legal Providers
To contact Legal Services of Greater Miami at (305) 576-0080 in Miami-Dade County, (866) 686-2760 in Monroe County, and (305) 446-7570 via text-telephone.
For Legal Aid Service of Broward County, please click here for information about how to apply for legal help and/or communicate with staff, or call 954-765-8950 or 954-736-2400.
Americans for Immigrant Justice’s offices are currently closed to walk-ins. AI Justice is providing services virtually. To access services, please call (305) 573-1106, ext 1400 for the receptionist
Catholic Legal Services: Information about their services is available at www.cclsmiami.org or use the form online to apply for assistance: https://tinyurl.com/CCLSAPP
Additional Services
Please call 211 on a South Florida phone to access health and human services including assistance in Miami-Dade and Broward counties for food banks, financial assistance, and domestic violence hotlines. This is available 24-hours and provides information in English, Spanish, and Creole.
All Florida driver licenses, commercial driving licenses and identification cards set to expire in the next 30 days will be granted a 30-day extension beyond their current expiration date. This is a notice from the state of Florida. Go to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website for more information and updates.
