The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many parts of life. For example, some stores and offices may have closed, changed their hours, or you may need to make an appointment to visit. You may want to contact offices or businesses before you visit. Court appearances may be held through video calls.
Social services, such as healthcare, food, and housing assistance, can support you after your release to help you adjust during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many cities have a phone line you can contact by dialing 2-1-1 or by visiting the 2-1-1 website where you can also get help.
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Your library or community center may offer free phone and internet, or access these resources through a smart phone.
Healthcare services: You can contact your local health departmentexternal icon if you
- Get sick with COVID-19
- Have questions about COVID-19 and the pandemic
- Need low-cost or free healthcare services in your area
Access to healthcare is important, especially if you are near someone with COVID-19 or get sick with COVID-19. Some health centers provide healthcare for little or no cost. Contact your local clinic to learn more about which services they offer during the COVID-19 pandemic. Check to see if you can sign up for Medicareexternal icon and/or Medicaidexternal icon to help pay for healthcare costs and services.
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Food: Many people struggle to buy or find food where they live, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meal sites, food banks and other services may help you and your family during this time.
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Stress and coping: Being released from prison or jail can be very tough. The COVID-19 pandemic may add stress to your situation. Visit managing stress and coping during COVID-19 and How Right Now resiliencyexternal icon for help.
Get help right away in a crisis:
- Call 911
- Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish), or text TalkWithUs for English or text Hablanos for Spanish to 66746 Spanish speakers in Puerto Rico can text Hablanos to 1-787-339-2663
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for English, 1-888-628-9454 for Spanish
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text LOVEIS to 22522
- National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4AChild (1-800-422-4453) or text 1-800-422-4453
- National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
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Transportation: Getting to and from places, such as the doctor’s office or clinic, can be tough. The COVID-19 pandemic may affect your local public transportation schedule or routes. If you take a bus or train, wear a face mask and stay at least 6 feet (about two arm lengths) from other people. As much as you can, try not to touch items such as handrails, credit card machines, elevator buttons, or benches. If you must touch these items, wash your hands as soon as you can for 20 seconds with soap and water, or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Visit Transportation_during_COVID19 for more information.
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Access to phones and internet: Many clinics, hospitals, counseling services, and substance use treatment providers now offer appointments through phone and video calls to protect patients from getting exposed to COVID-19. Some people may not have phone or internet services because it costs too much. For people without the internet right now, the links below are for when you do have internet.
Description of Links Description of the link URL What are the symptoms of COVID-19? daypg.com/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/daypg.com Where can I find information about how to protect myself and others from COVID-19? daypg.com/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/daypg.com How can I get information on social services? Call 2-1-1. How do I contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office? To access health and social services, you need personal identification, or ID.
Call 1-844-872-4681 to connect you to your local DMV officeexternal icon before you visit to know the hours of operation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Where can I find a health center? Local health department or federally qualified health centers: 1-800-232-4636
Community Health Centers: 1-800-318-2596
Where can I find information about Medicare? Medicare: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) TTY 1-877-486-2048https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-coronavirusexternal icon Where can I find information about Medicaid? Medicaid: 1-877-267-2323
TTY: 1-866-226-1819
How can I deal with stress during COVID-19? CDC Foundation site to address feelings of grief, loss, and worry during COVID-19 daypg.com/external icon How can I get help for alcohol and substance use? Stress can lead to alcohol and substance use. If you need help, including medicine for opioid use disorder such as buprenorphine or methadone, contact your local behavioral treatment centersexternal icon for help.
National Harm Reduction Coalition
If I need help getting food resources during COVID-19, where can I go? Hunger Hotline: 1-866-3-HUNGRY 1-877-8-HAMBRE (for Spanish) or Text 97779 with a question that includes a keyword such as “food” or “meals” daypg.com/nutrition/resources-publications/daypg.com How can I protect myself when using transportation during COVID-19? daypg.com/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/daypg.com Where can I find support for veterans during COVID-19, including those who need housing assistance? Department of Veteran’s Affairs: 1-800-698-2411, TTY: 711 Veteran’s Crisis Line: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text: 8388255https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping/veterans-support/index.htmlU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Veterans Justice Outreach Program daypg.com/homeless/vjo.aspexternal icon
