Resources during COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
**Special thanks to United Rehabilitation Services for many of the links and information listed.**
Below is a collective list of resources to help you get through this time.
CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES:
- Click here to view an extensive list of home activity websites.
- Enroll in the Ohio Governor’s Imagination Library
- Free Access to ABCMouse, Adventure Academy and Reading IQ
- DayByDayOhio Family Literacy Calendar
- Sesame Street
- PBS Kids
- Virtual Exhibits for Online Learning and Fun
- 30 Great Educational Netflix Shows
- Scholastic Learn at Home
- The Cleveland Orchestra Music Explorers Episodes
- Story Online with Your Favorite Celebrities
- Get moving with GoNoodle videos
- 10 Prop Box Ideas: Mini Learning Centers at Home
- At-Home Activity Guide
- Yoga for Children with Cosmic Kids Yoga
INFORMATION ON COVID-19:
- Tips for Families: Coronavirus
- Novel Coronavirus “COVID-19”: Special Considerations for Pregnant Women
- Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19): What You Need to Know About its Impact on Moms and Babies
- COVID-19 Factsheet for Pregnant and New Mothers
- How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
- Coronavirus and Unemployment Insurance Benefits
- How to apply for unemployment benefits online in Ohio (video)
UNEMPLOYMENT:
Applying for Unemployment Benefits: By Executive Order, Governor DeWine announced changes and flexibility to Ohio’s Unemployment Insurance Program to provide support to impacted workers during this crisis. Learn more and apply for Unemployment Benefits at this website or by calling 1-877-644-6562, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
FOOD:
Help with Food from Foodbanks: Each of our 12 member foodbanks across Ohio are working to adjust as this situation unfolds to meet demand for their help however they are able. Our traditional partners in that work – 3,600 food pantries, shelters, and other meal programs – may have decreased ability to assist in distributing food. We have also shifted to limiting person-to-person contact through “no-touch” distributions, to reduce large numbers of people congregating in lines or waiting rooms. Click to lookup the best way in your county to locate emergency food assistance from our network.
Drive-Thru Model Pantry Services: Village Food Pantry, Spring Valley United Methodist Church, Good Neighbor House (Monday – Friday 9a-6p client must be at site before 5:00p for guaranteed services), Point Fort, Trinity Lutheran Services (Monday 12p-1p, Wednesday 5:30p-7p and Friday 11a-1p (Pantry contact for clients 937- 417-1934)
Help with Food from SNAP: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps, is designed to act quickly to help families and individuals facing food budget shortfalls. If you’ve experienced a job loss or lost wages, apply for SNAP online at benefits.ohio.gov or over the phone at 1-844-640-6446.
Help with Lost School Meals from Local Districts: With more than 600 school districts, the availability of non-congregate school meals will vary from place to place. If you have a K-12 student, you should have received communication from your school about how your child(ren) can continue receiving meals. If you have not, please contact your local school district or building for more information.
UTILITIES:
Utility payments including DP&L & Water Services is suspending disconnections for nonpayment. DP&L is suspending disconnections until further notice or a minimum of 30 days, Montgomery County Environmental Services will suspend water shutoffs for non-payments until April 30, Springfield, OH has suspended disconnections until April 15. However, DP&L suggests “Make [the] payments now so that the bill does not add up because you are responsible for the energy usage that you have,” said Mary Ann Kable, director of corporate communications with DP&L.
Comcast: The cable giant is offering free access to its Xfinity WiFi hot spots for everyone, including non-subscribers, for the 60 days. It’s also providing unlimited data to its customers for no extra charge and is not disconnecting internet service or charging late fees for customers who say they can’t pay their bills. The company is also providing 60 days of free basic internet service to new customers.
AT&T: The cable, phone, and media giant is suspending the termination of wireless, home phone or broadband service when customers can’t pay their bills because of coronavirus disruptions. The company is also waiving related late fees. Like Comcast, AT&T is also providing free access to its public WiFi hot spots. The company also said its consumer home internet wireline customers and fixed wireless internet customers would receive unlimited data.
Spectrum: Spectrum is offering two free months of internet and WiFi services to new customers in households with Pre-K to 12 or college students who need remote education. This discount will be applied as a credit for the first two months of internet services. Any installation or pre-payment fees will be waived. https://www.spectrum.net/support/internet/coronavirus-covid-19-educational-internet-offer
Verizon: Verizon said it is waiving late fees and suspending service termination for customers “negatively impacted by the global crisis.”
T-Mobile: The mobile phone service provider is providing unlimited data to all current customers who have plans with data for the next 60 days. It will also provide additional data to mobile hotspot users.