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Tennessee Department of Health COVID-19 Public Service Announcements

We Will Survive-1  |  We Will Survive-2 
We Are Ready  |  We Are Ready-Spanish
If You Need Testing  |  If You Need Testing-Spanish
Find It Here  |  Find It Here-Spanish

Food and Nutrition Assistance

Beginning Monday, March 23, the YMCA will be taking over meal distribution at all sites previously designated for SCS meals. The YMCA is providing all of the food and coordinating distribution with its own staff members. The YMCA is a valued partner, and the District is extremely appreciative for this support in such a time of urgent need. As originally planned, meals will be available M-F while schools are closed, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., for all children 18 and under. View a map of all locations here.

The Mid-South Food Bank is making meals available for students at all of its mobile food pantries in the Memphis area, and several businesses are providing FREE or discounted student meals. View a list of all mobile food pantries here (the list is updated daily): https://www.midsouthfoodbank.org/coronavirus-response

• Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the State of Tennessee can issue Emergency Allotments to current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households for April and May 2020 up to the maximum monthly allotment for any given household. All Emergency Allotments will be delivered on current SNAP households’ EBT cards. Apply for SNAP benefits here.

Neighborhood Christian Centers has an online screening process for those in need of emergency food available at https://www.ncclife.org/covid-19-emergency-support

Emergency Assistance

As of March 17, MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association) is no longer accepting walk-ins for emergency assistance. Applications for emergency financial assistance and emergency housing are available online at mifa.org/applyonline. Please note that the food voucher program is suspended until further notice

Housing and Shelter Assistance

Homeless families with children whose need for shelter is immediate should call MIFA homeless hotline, which is available 24/7, at (901) 529-4545.

Utility Assistance

MLGW is pausing cutoffs for 60 days. Bills will continue to be issued but no accounts will be shut off until the end of that time period. Visit the MLGW COVID-19 page for more information.

Financial Assistance

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

• The Tennessee Department of Human Services has issued a new policy offering emergency cash assistance for those impacted at this time by utilizing Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds.
• These funds will be up to $1,000 for a family of 5+ who qualifies and has had a loss of a job as a result of COVID-19.
• These efforts will be up and working within one week, and we encourage Tennesseans in need to apply online when the application becomes available here.

Expanded Unemployment Relief

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development is actively working with economists to determine how economic downturn could affect our state’s economy and how to best use the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Tennesseans are encouraged to apply online here.

Additional Resources

• • The Daily Memphian has made its coronavirus coverage accessible for all to read – no subscription necessary.
• • The CDC has up-to-date information about COVID-19 symptoms, treatments and spread.
• • The Shelby County Health Department provides local information about COVID-19 cases and important numbers to call if you think you are sick.
• For answers to specific health questions, call 901-692-7523. Leave a message if it’s after hours. The Tennessee COVID-19 Public Information Number is 877-857-2945 and is open from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.

COVID-19 Testing Sites

Remote assessment sites, casually referred to as “drive-through testing,” allow Tennesseans to safely pursue COVID-19 testing without creating unnecessary risks in traditional clinical settings. The updated list of remote assessment sites is available here.

Closures

• All City of Memphis libraries and community centers will close Wednesday, March 18 until further notice.
• General Sessions Civil Courts and General Sessions Civil Offices closed until April 1.
• All school districts and Porter Leath are closed until further notice. SCS administrative offices are also closed.
• The YMCA has closed all childcare programs and group sessions. Wellness Centers are currently open at 11 locations.

Additional Information

COVID 19 Virus Information: https://www.idsociety.org/public-health/COVID-19-Resource-Center/

CDC recommendation for large events: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.html

Approved Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fighting Products: https://www.americanchemistry.com/Novel-Coronavirus-Fighting-Products-List.pdf

Shelby County Schools Coronavirus Facts: http://www.scsk12.org/coronavirusfacts/