COVID-19 Hotlines

Health questions:
651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Schools and child care questions:
651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Hennepin County Resource Helpline:
612-348-3000
8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

City Launches Coronavirus Newsletter
In an effort to keep Minneapolis informed on the coronavirus, its impacts on the city, and share important resources, the City is launching a newsletter for coronavirus.
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COVID-19 Resources

 

 

When Outside

  • Refrain from using parks or trails if you are sick or are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
  • Refrain from using parks or trails if you are at a higher risk of illness.
  • Observe CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of 6 feet from other individuals at all times.
  • Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water after you use the parks, per the CDC’s guidance

Public Health Information

Multilingual Health Information

Community Recommendations 

The Minnesota Department of Health has community recommendations involving employers, assisted living facilities, schools and health care settings and large and small community events and gatherings.

 

Further Updates 

  • Minnesota Multi Housing Association today released guidelines that housing providers are recommended to follow during the COVID-19 outbreak to manage the financial challenges facing some renters and maintain the public health.
  • Metro Transit will be moving to a service schedule that represents about 60% of its regularly scheduled weekday operations beginning on Wednesday, March 25, 2020. The agency also will continue its practice of suspending service during the overnight hours of 11:00 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
    • This maintains local bus service similar to Saturday level on most routes. Another reference with which riders might be familiar is that it will be similar to days next to major holidays
    • Local bus service will remain on a regular Saturday / Sunday schedule for those days. METRO light rail will run every 20 minutes every day.
    • There will be no reduction on Saturday or Sunday service for local bus and METRO light rail.
    • There will be no Northstar commuter rail service on Saturday.

Resources

  • FEMA Coronavirus Rumor Control: The purpose of this FEMA page is to help the public distinguish between rumors and facts regarding the response to coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
  • Minnesota Discrimination Helpline: On April 6, the Walz administration established a statewide discrimination helpline for Minnesotans to report instances of bias and discrimination the the Minnesota Department of Human Rights. Every Minnesotan can call the Discrimination Helpline at 1-833-454-0148 or complete and submit this online form. The helpline is staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • New Hennepin County COVID-19 Service Website: Hennepin County is continually finding ways to continue providing residents with services during this time. You can find the most up-to-date information about how to access these services here.
  • SNAP Update: If you receive SNAP benefits but can’t leave your home to get groceries, you may now designate someone to use your EBT card on your behalf. Learn more here.
  • Curbside Pickup Announced for 8 Hennepin County Libraries: Hennepin County Library are now offering contactless curbside pickup at eight library locations. Pilot locations include Brooklyn Park, East Lake, Eden Prairie, Maple Grove, Plymouth, Ridgedale, Washburn, and Webber Park. Visit the Curbside Pickup FAQ for details on how to safely access physical materials from the collection.
  • Energy Bill Assistance For Renters and Homeowners: If you need help covering your heating bills, the state’s Energy Assistance Program may be able to help. Funding is still available for households in need, and eligibility criteria have been loosened to ensure as many households as possible can benefit during the pandemic.
  • Homeless Assistance: Hennepin County has set up a new hotline through Healthcare for the Homeless to help people access quarantine and isolation space, or to speak with a nurse or social worker. Please encourage anyone who may need these services to call 612-348-5553. In addition, this list of resources may help people experiencing housing instability, including key information like how to access shelter, how to apply for food or rent assistance, and where to find public restrooms.
  • Legal Resources Related to COVID-19: Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid has created a webpage with updates on court cases and advice for people with questions about housing, safety, health, unemployment benefits, etc. during this time.  Visit the site here.
  • The Domestic Abuse Service Center Offering Remote Services: On March 16, the Domestic Abuse Service Center (DASC) began offering services remotely to continue supporting victims of domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. All remote services can be accessed by calling (612) 348-5073.
  • Mental Health Resources: Mental health may be difficult to manage during this uncertain time. The Minnesota Department of Health has numerous resources for how to reduce stress and anxiety: Visit the site here.
  • Personal Mask Use: You can help protect others around you by wearing a non-medical grade mask when going out in public. A mask can catch respiratory droplets so they don’t come into contact with other people. However, wearing a mask is not meant to protect you and is not a substitute for social distancing. In this video, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams shares ways to create your own non-medical grade mask.
  • Free Nice Ride Memberships for Healthcare Workers: See more here.

Important downtown and local information

COVID-19 Resources for Renters and Landlords

 

HousingLink is tracking the impact of COVID-19 on renters and landlords. They created two resources pages to help both parties navigate this crisis.

Our COVID-19 page for renters features the following information:  

  • Evictions: Specifically tracking the executive orders of MN Governor Tim Walz
  • Unemployment Insurance
  • Emergency Assistance
  • Food
  • Utilities
  • Internet
  • Effective communication with landlords

Our COVID-19 page for landlords features the following information:

  • Evictions: Specifically tracking the executive orders of MN Governor Tim Walz.
  • Emergency preparedness for apartment firms.
  • Recommendations from the Minnesota Multi-Housing Association to show flexibility during this time.
  • Ideas for landlords to support renters
  • Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Offices (impacts the towing of vehicles from rental property parking lots)

They are keeping both pages updated as the impacts of COVID-19 evolve. Please share these pages with your contacts as you see fit!

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Unemployment Benefits

The Unemployment Insurance program is ready to assist workers who can’t work, workers who have had their hours reduced, and workers who have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If your employment has been affected by COVID-19, you can apply for unemployment benefits. After you apply, we will let you know if you are eligible.

Apply for unemployment benefits as soon as you can; waiting may result in you losing some benefits.

You can apply online, Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., or with our automated phone.

If you have questions, call one of our Customer Service representatives. We can assist you in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, or any other language you prefer. Customer Service representatives are available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • Twin Cities area: 651-296-3644
  • Greater Minnesota: 1-877-898-9090;
  • TTY users: 1-866-814-1252

Quick links:

COVID-19 information for self-employed people and independent contractors

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, passed by Congress on March 27th, provides new benefits for self-employed people and independent contractors.

  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program – provides weekly benefit payments for self-employed people, independent contractors and others who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits.
  • Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) – $600/week additional payments for people receiving regular or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

If you have worked for a Minnesota employer in the past 18 months, you may qualify for regular unemployment benefits. If you qualify for regular unemployment benefits, you will not qualify for PUA. View COVID-19 information for workers.

What you need to know

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) – update 4/24/2020 – MN Unemployment Insurance has begun paying out PUA benefits to certain groups of self-employed people and 1099 workers. MN is one of the first states in the nation to implement all three of the new CARES Act benefits programs.

Under federal law, they have to verify your employment and income information before they can pay you PUA benefits. This means that different groups of people will get paid on different dates.

Learn more and apply >

From: Patricia Torres Ray

Unemployment benefits for those with jobs affected by Covid-19.

The Unemployment Insurance program is ready to assist workers who can’t work, workers who have had their hours reduced, and workers who have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If your employment has been affected by COVID-19, you can apply for unemployment benefits. After you apply, we will let you know if you are eligible.

Apply for unemployment benefits as soon as you can; waiting may result in you losing some benefits.

You can apply online, Monday-Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., or with our automated phone. Be prepared to wait long periods of time, and have ALL your information on hand before you call.

If you have questions, call one of our Customer Service representatives. We can assist you in Spanish, Hmong, Somali, or any other language you prefer. Customer Service representatives are available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Twin Cities area: 651-296-3644
Greater Minnesota: 1-877-898-9090;
TTY users: 1-866-814-1252
Quick links offered on website as well

SPANISH:
Beneficios de desempleo para personas con trabajos afectados por covid-19.

El programa de seguro de desempleo está listo para ayudar a los trabajadores que no pueden trabajar, a los que se les ha reducido el horario de trabajo, y a los trabajadores que han perdido sus empleos como resultado de la pandemia de COVID-19.

Si su empleo se ha visto afectado por COVID-19, puede solicitar beneficios de desempleo. Después de presentar su solicitud, le informaremos si es elegible.

Solicite beneficios de desempleo lo antes posible; esperar puede resultar en perdida de algunos beneficios.

Puede presentar su solicitud por internet, de lunes a viernes, de 6:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m., o por teléfono. Esté preparado para esperar por largo tiempo en el teléfono y tenga TODA su información a mano.

Si tiene preguntas, llame a uno de nuestros representantes de Servicio al cliente. Podemos ayudarlo en español, hmong, somalí o en cualquier otro idioma que prefiera. Los representantes de Servicio al Cliente están disponibles de lunes a viernes de 8:00 a.m. a 4:30 p.m.

Área de Ciudades Gemelas: 651-296-3644
Gran Minnesota: 1-877-898-9090;
Usuarios de TTY: 1-866-814-1252
También se ofrecen enlaces rápidos en la pagina electrónica.

Support for Small Businesses

 

S.B.A Loan Options

Paycheck Protection Program: Businesses should be planning their requests to the new Paycheck Protection Program. Businesses (including self-employed) can receive forgivable loans up-to-250% of its payroll to support its employees and occupancy expenses. No collateral requirements, no fees, no payments for 6 months. The loan is forgiven in eight weeks if the business can show it used the funds for eligible expenses. Lending through the businesses’ bank or an SBA qualified lender. The City is working with the Too Local to Fail Coalition led by the Minneapolis Chamber.
More Information >

Visit SBA.gov COVID19 Small Business Resource Page >

Hennepin County Loan Options
Apply for a new Emergency Forgivable Loan from Hennepin County allowing businesses up to $7,500 in funds.

Community Emergency Service 

The Food Shelf will be distributing pre-packed bags of groceries Monday – Thursday from 1pm – 4pm in the CES parking lot. Our doors will be closed to the public, and we will not be handing out numbers at 10:30am.  Please come between 1pm – 4pm to receive a bag.

For the protection of our neighbors, volunteers and staff, changes to the distribution process will be implemented to reduce wait times and limit person-to-person contact.
Friday Distribution Program will temporarily be closed.
Additional precautions we are taking include:

  • – Asking neighbors who are feeling sick to wait in their cars while orders are being filled
  • – Requiring volunteers and staff who are sick to stay homes
  • – Following all hand washing and hygiene protocols
  • – Enabling a no-contact delivery process for our Meals On Wheels recipients
  • – Increased sanitation of high traffic areas and equipment

Our goal is to ensure we serve our neighbors who depend on the services we provide and care for everyone in our community: neighbors, volunteers and staff.

1900 11th Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404 | 612-870-1125 | ces@cesmn.org | www.cesmn.org