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Below, you will find several resources available to help you deal with the COVID-19 situation.
Hotlines
- 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: 716-834-3131
- Upstate NY Poison Center: 1-800-222-1222
- 24 Hour Erie County Addiction Hotline: 716-831-7007
- 24 Hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 716-862-HELP (716-862-4357)
- 24 Hour 2-1-1 WNY (Dial 2-1-1) - Human and social services, emergency housing, legal services, domestic, health and wellness, food and nutrition, mental health, support groups, developmental disabilities
General Assistance
- Catholic Charities Emergency Assistance Resources
- 24 Hour 2-1-1 WNY (Dial 2-1-1) - Human and social services, emergency housing, legal services, domestic, health and wellness, food and nutrition, mental health, support groups, developmental disabilities
Financial Support/Employment Opportunities/ Evictions for Individuals
- Funeral Assistance - FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020
- NY State Emergency Rental Assistance Program
- Rental Assistance Program
- Job Openings in the Community
- Pandemic Unemployment (CARES Act) - What You Need to Know About Filing for Unemployment Insurance During the Pandemic
- Employee Paid Leave Rights (Families First Coronavirus Response Act FFCRA): - Fact Sheets, Questions and Answers and More Info
- Consumer Credit Counseling Service (free financial checkups): 716-712-2060
- NYS Department of Labor: 1-888-581-5812
- Live Well Erie Cares Act Rental & Mortgage Assistance
- Financial Support for Businesses - See COVID-19 Information for Businesses
- Erie County Department of Social Services
- Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF): 716-858-8000 for an application; No in-person interview required; Interviews done over the phone
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): 716-858-7239; Online at mybenefits.ny.gov
- HEAP: 716-858-7644; Online at mybenefits.ny.gov
- Medicaid: 716-858-6244
- Erie County Department of Social Services main number: 716-858-8000: Website Erie County Department of Social Services
- Foster Care: 716-858-7274
- Youth Services: 716-923-4000
- Child Protective Services (to make a report): 1-800-342-3720
- Adult Protective Services: 716-858-6877
Addiction Assistance
Child Care
- Erie County Emergency Child Care Task Force Survey - Task Force working with Erie 1 BOCES and local school districts to develop plans for child care needs.
- Childcare Resource Network (CCRN): 716-877-6666; Clearinghouse for childcare openings
Consumer Protection
- Erie County Office of Consumer Protection
- Financial Fraud: 1-800-342-3736 or file a complaint online at www.dfs.ny.gov/complaint
- Price gouging: 1-800-697-1220 or file a complaint online at www.dos.ny.gov/consumerprotection
Disabled Community
- Erie County Office for People with Disabilities: 716-858-6215 or N.Y. Relay 1-800-662-1220
- People, Inc.: 716-817-7400
- Community Services for Every1: 716-883-8002
- WNY Independent Living Center: 716-836-0822
- Deaf Access Services: (716) 335-9192 video phone
Domestic Violence
- Crisis Services (24-Hour) 716-834-3131
- Family Justice Center 716-558-SAFE (7233)
- Child and Family Services Haven House 24-Hour Confidential Hotline & Shelter: 716-884-6000 or use its online chat system; deaf or hard-of-hearing call 7-1-1
- Hispanics United of Buffalo (24-Hour) 716-481-8867
- Erie County District Attorney BE SAFE 716-858-4630
- Erie County Sheriff’s Office DV Hotline 716-858-7999
- NYS Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline 800-942-6906, 24-Hour Text Line 844-997-2121 and 24-Hour Chatline www.OPDV.ny.gov
- Video: Child & Family Services Domestic Violence are Open
- Video: Erie County District Attorney's Office Continues to Offer Services to Domestic Violence Survivors
Early Intervention Services
Health Insurance
- The NYS of Health and NYS Department of Financial Services have announced a special enrollment period. Get more info at nystateofhealth.ny.gov
- Primary Care Providers Accepting New Patients -Click here for list
Legal Services/Advice
- Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project: 716-847-0662
- Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc. 716-853-9555
- Center for Elder Law and Justice:1-844-481-0973
- WNY Law Center: 716-855-0203
- Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc.: 716-847-0650
- Mental Health Advocates of WNY: 716-886-1242
Live Well Erie
Mental Health Resources
- Erie County Department of Mental Health - several resources available on stress, anxiety, addictions and much more
- Buffalo and Erie County Crisis Services Hotline: 716-834-3131; Available 24 hours, 7 days. Free and confidential service; Instant access to interpreters 24 hours a day
- Mental Health Advocates of WNY: 716-886-1242
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- PPE Vendor List for Businesses and Application to be Added to PPE List
-
Community Organization PPE Request Form
This form is to be used by community groups, youth programs, block clubs, community centers and faith institutions/places of worship to request personal protective equipment (PPE). See form for additional details.
Refugee Community/Immigrant
- Catholic Charities: 716-856-4494
- International Institute of Buffalo: 716-883-1900
- Jericho Road Community Health Center: 716-348-3000
- Jewish Family Services: 716-883-1914
- Journey’s End: 716-882-4963
- COVID-19 Information in Languages other than English
Senior Adults
- Senior Services Meal Delivery: 716-858-8526 weekdays between 8:30 am - 4:30 pm. Seniors in Erie County can contact the Erie County Department of Senior Services for Meals on Wheels delivery. Senior Services staff members are coordinating with Meals on Wheels to ensure meal delivery to all seniors in need.
- Erie County Department of Senior Services: 716-858-8526
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: 716-817-9222
- Transportation: 716-858-RIDE (7433)
- Combat Social Isolation
- Catholic Charities Telephone Assurance Program: 716-218-1400
- Compeer Older Adult Program Social Support: 716-883-3331 ext 314
- Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA): 1-866-232-8484; text message to 646-586-5283
- Erie County Department of Social Services: 716-858-8000
- Protective Services for Older Adults: 716-858-6877
- NYS Division of Human Rights (Buffalo Office): 1-888-392-3644
- Mental Health Association of Erie County: 716-886-1242
- Center for Elder Law & Justice: 716-853-3087
Technology Resources
WIC (Women, Infants and Children) Supplemental Nutrition Program
- Catholic Charities: (716) 218-1484
WNY COVID Consensus Workgroup
- Instruction Sheet (December 2020)