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Access Health Louisiana’s COVID-19 Task Force Important Resources:
State and local agencies are working around the clock to implement programs to help everyone impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Access Health Louisiana is reaching out to agencies in all of our service areas to compile a list of resources to help our patients. This information will be updated daily as information comes available.
Entergy Assistance:
Entergy has set up various assistance programs for customers due to the pandemic. If you’re having trouble paying your bill, click here for the latest information from Entergy.
Where’s My IRS Stimulus Money?
You can now track your Internal Revenue Service (IRS) stimulus money through an online portal. By entering your social security number, date of birth, address and zip code, you can find out when your money will be deposited into your bank account. Click here to see when to expect your money. The IRS says the funds will be deposited automatically into your bank account used for your 2018 or 2019 tax return. If the IRS does now have your bank information, you can click here to be connected to the IRS website. Qualifying households can expect to received $1,200 per adult or $500 per child under 17 years of age. If the IRS does not have your bank account informationm it will send a check to your address on file.
School Resources & Free Lunch Pickup Locations
Click here for a list of resources for students and families with children enrolled in K-12 schools in Louisiana. This information includes a list of schools offering free lunches for students who are home during the outbreak.
Food Resources for Families:
With many families out of work due to the COVID-19 spread, the Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services wants you to know that help is available to provide food for your household. Click here to access that information. SNAP food eligibility and information can be found here. Food banks are located all across Louisiana giving out dry goods and other items to senior citizens in need. For a list of locations nearest you click here.
Free Diaper Distribution Sites:
The Junior League of New Orleans is partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank to distribute free diapers throughout the Greater New Orleans area. Distribution sites are located in Metairie, New Orleans and Kenner. For a list of locations, click here.
Housing Resources:
Apply for Medicaid Benefits:
Governor John Bel Edwards is urging people who need healthcare support to apply for Medicaid benefits. You can apply by clicking here or calling toll-free 1-888-342-6207.
Louisiana Workforce Commission:
The Louisiana Workforce Commission has announced its plan to assist workers who are left unemployed or unpaid due to the coronavirus pandemic. Click here for more information.
Small Business Disaster Assistance in Response to Coronavirus:
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration. For more information, click here.
Spiritual Guidance from Local Church Leaders:
When tragedy strikes, many turn to their local church leaders for spiritual support and guidance. We’re living in difficult times. Access Health Louisiana’s Community Medical Director Doc Griggs sits down with the Pastor of the First African Church Sixth District in New Orleans. Click here to view his interview with Reverend Pastor Moses Gordon III.
Free myStrength app offers Mental Health Support:
Everyone has FREE access to the myStrength app thanks to a new partnership between myStrength and Access Health Louisiana. myStrength is a digital behavioral health tool to improve and sustain emotional health and wellbeing. The program focuses on multiple challenges such as: depression, anxiety, stress, substance abuse, chronic pain and insomnia. myStrength adjusts with every interaction, capturing personal preferences and goals, current emotional and motivational states and ongoing life events. You will find hundreds of wellness resources, self-help tools, online health trackers, personalized activities, uplifting daily quotes and more. The digital app is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. You can access myStrength from your desktop computer, tablet or mobile device. To try the app, visit myStrength.com and click on “sign up”. Enter the appropriate access code: AHLcommunity. Click here for a demonstration on how to use the myStrength app from James Comeaux-Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Senior Vice President of Operations for Access Health Louisiana.
Best Practices for Dealing with Stress & Anxiety:
Psychiatrists in Europe are offering guidance to the world based off what they are seeing in countries overseas. Mental Health Europe released eight steps for people to follow to keep their mental health strong in crisis situations. Click here for 8 ways to look after your mental health.
Yale Medicine offers free advice on helping manage stress and anxiety during the crisis. Click here for information.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers recommendations to Americans on how to keep anxiety levels low. Click here for helpful tips.
Many Americans are working on the front lines of this crisis as first responders, healthcare workers and mental health providers. As people get diagnosed with COVID-19 and are asked to stay isolated at home, it’s important that they receive the mental health support to ensure that they recover quickly. Click here for guidance from the Organizacion Mundial de la Salud.
Federal Call Center Hotline offers Support 24 hours/7 days a week:
Keeping Calm Through COVID hotline: 1-866-310-7977
- 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Compassionate, trained counselors
- No cost to you
NOLA Ready:
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has issued mandatory restrictions to help protect the citizens of Orleans Parish. Drive-thru testing locations are also being added specifically to test those working in the healthcare industry. Click here to find out more about being “NOLA Ready.”
Resources from Parish Governments:
Local parish governments are working hard to protect families and local businesses in this crisis. To find out what’s being done on a local level, plus what resources are available to you, click on your parish: St. Charles, Jefferson, St. Bernard, Orleans, Tangipahoa, St. Tammany, Washington, Iberville, St. James, Rapides, Plaquemines and Allen.
How to Talk to Children Isolated During COVID-19:
How to Talk to Adolescents During this Outbreak:
How to Care for Loved Ones During this Outbreak:
