COVID-19 Pandemic Information

For information regarding the global pandemic and the latest guidance from Virginia public health officials,

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Virginia Department of Health (VDH)
• The New York Times is providing free access to the most important news and useful guidance on the coronavirus outbreak to help readers understand the pandemic. Sign up with an email address to read all the articles on this page.

Communicating about COVID-19

• To help with our writing about the new coronavirus disease, called COVID-19,  The Associated Press has prepared a guide based on the AP Stylebook and common usage in AP stories.

Unemployment and other Public Benefits

• Governor’s Office Guidance: Coronavirus updates
• FAQ for workers
• Virginia Chamber COVID Resource Center
• Virginia Employment Commission
• Virginia is in the process of applying for small business administration emergency loans. Reference here.
• For unemployment benefits, individuals can apply online. The Governor has waived wait times and called for expedited processing of claims.
• To determine eligibility for any and all social services programs, individuals can apply via CommonHelp or by phone at 1-855-635-4370. They are processing claims for assistance.
• Virginia Career Works centers have limited access right now.

Online Connectivity for Students Who Lack It

• Free Internet for Students: 7 Providers Offering Support
• FCC agreement stating that providers will waive late fees, not cutoff service for lack of payment, and open hot- spots.
• Comcast COVID-19 response offers free WiFi for 2 months to low income families plus all Xfinity hot-spots are free to the public during this time.
• Charter Free Internet offer for 2 months
• AT&T COVID-19 response offers open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to low income families.
• Verizon COVID-19 response no special offers, but following the FCC.
• Cox – Connect2Care

Minimizing Your Risks of Getting COVID-19

• What students can do in the wake of a natural disaster.
• How to cope emotionally in the wake of a disaster.
• Print and social media materials for the CDC’s Life is Better with Clean Hands campaign, which can be printed and hung around campuses and/or posted online.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES BY REGION

Food, Housing, Goods, Transit, Health, Money, Care, Education, Work, and Legal

ALL AREAS

• 211 – Virginia
• Find Help Website – Enter your zip code or city and be directed to resources in your community.
• Virginia Department of Social Services
  • SNAP
  • TANF
• Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS)
  • FAMIS Moms
  • FAMIS

Utilities

• Utilities – State Corporation Commission (SCC) issued an order directing utilities it regulates, such as electric, natural gas, and water companies in Virginia, to suspend service disconnections for 60 days to provide immediate relief for any customer, residential and business, who may be financially impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Washington Gas waiving late fees and suspending disconnections.
• Virginia Natural Gas – Energy Assistance Programs
• Emergency Assistance/Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Power

• Dominion Energy Temporarily not shutting off power for nonpayment. Reconnecting residential customers whose services were shut off.
• American Electric Power AEP Coronavirus (COVID-19) information.
• Atmos Energy has temporarily suspended natural gas disconnections.

Unemployment

• No waiting for unemployment benefits. Governor Northam has directed the Commissioner of the Virginia Employment Commission to waive the one-week waiting period to ensure workers can receive benefits as soon as possible.
• Enhanced eligibility for unemployment. Workers may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits if an employer needs to temporarily slow or cease operations due to COVID-19.
• Fewer restrictions. For individuals receiving unemployment insurance, Governor Northam is directing the Virginia Employment Commission to give affected workers special consideration on deadlines, mandatory re-employment appointments, and work search requirements.

Internet/Phone

Comcast, Charter, Verizon, Google, T-Mobile and Sprint have signed a pledge to keep Americans internet-connected for the next 60 days, even if people cannot afford to pay.

• Comcast
  • COVID-19 Updates
• AT&T
  • COVID-19 Updates
• Verizon
  • COVID-19 Updates

Education 

• Google is offering free virtual tours of more than 1,200 museums across the globe through its Arts and Culture platform.

CENTRAL VIRGINIA & LYNCHBURG

• Lynchburg Resource Information Sheet
• Bedford County COVID-19 Hotline (540) 587.0720 (Hotline open 9 am – 5 pm Monday – Friday)

NEW RIVER VALLEY

• New River Health District
• NRV Food Access Directory
• The Community Foundation
• New River Community College Resource Directory
• NRV Community Action

ROANOKE VALLEY

• Commonwealth Catholic Charities
• Council of Community Services
• Presbyterian Community Center
• Manna Mission Ministries
• United Way Roanoke Valley
• Food Resources

SHENANDOAH VALLEY & CHARLOTTESVILLE

• Multiple Resources for Shenandoah Valley
• Woodstock Presbyterian Church
• One Page
• Episcopal Churches of Shenandoah County
• Loaves and Fishes
• Crozet Women’s shelter
• Love Inc.
• WARM
• Nelson County Pantry
• Charlottesville

SOUTHSIDE

• Danville Area Council of Community Services (Danville and Pittsylvania County Region)