COVID-19 Information

A public hotline has been established for Iowans with questions about COVID-19. The line is available 24/7 by
calling 2-1-1 from a landline or 800-244-7431 from a cell phone. Iowa 211 also has a website to search for
Community Resources in your area that you may be in need of (ie, for food, housing, health, etc.).

All Iowans over the age of 16 who need help to schedule a vaccine appointment can now call 211 for assistance. Click HERE for more information. 

Updated on the status of a COVID-19 Vaccine can be found HERE. 

Statement on the COVID-19 Vaccines from Iowa Bishops

In response to concerns of access barriers some immigrants are facing regarding documentation requests prior to receiving COVID-19 vaccination, and individuals inappropriately being sent bills for COVID-19 vaccine fees, HRSA developed and is today posting two fact sheets to help both patients and providers better understand their rights and responsibilities regarding access to COVID-19 vaccines. The COVID-19 vaccines are free to all individuals living in the United States and these resources will help to empower patients and educate providers on this fact.

FEMA provides financial assistance under the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) provision of the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) to individuals and households with disaster-related funeral expenses. Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021, and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for funeral costs specifically related to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) for funeral expenses at 100 percent federal cost-share. Due to the unprecedented number of deaths caused by COVID-19, FEMA will implement this Interim Policy to streamline the delivery of Funeral Assistance.
When implemented, this Interim Policy:
• Establishes eligibility criteria for funeral assistance specific to COVID-19 related deaths;
• Minimizes the documentation review typically required to award Funeral Assistance; and
• Establishes a standard Funeral Assistance maximum award amount for COVID19 related deaths.

Click HERE to continue reading...

 

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number

Applications begin on April 12, 2021
844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time

For more information about this assistance, visit  COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov

The IRS will soon be issuing Economic Impact Payments to every eligible American. There are other individuals such as low-income workers and certain veterans and individuals with disabilities who aren’t required to file a tax return, but they are still eligible for the Economic Impact Payments. Taxpayers can check the IRS.gov tool - Do I Need to File a Tax Return? - to see if  they have a filing requirement.  

More information is available at IRS.gov/coronavirus. Please follow the IRS Social Media accounts to receive the latest information that they can share.

Click here for the Economic Impact Payment FAQ. 

Click here to check on the status of your Economic Impact Payment.

Click Here for a tool to help non-filers register for Economic Impact Payments.

The FDIC has developed a new webpage dedicated to helping consumers get the information they need to receive economic impact payment (AKA stimulus check) electronically. 

Información sobre el pago del impacto económico en español.

Tesoro, IRS lanzan nueva herramienta para ayudar a los que no presentan impuestos a inscribirse para pagos de impacto económico

Immigrant Eligibility for Public Programs During COVID-19

Please see the list of multilingual resources for those who may need help in languages other than English.

Additional multilingual resources available HERE.


Iowa Multi-lingual COVID-19 Phone Line

Información sobre el pago del impacto económico en español.


¿NO TIENE SEGURO DE SALUD? ¿NECESITA SERVICIOS RELACIONADOS CON EL COVID-19? Haga clic aquí

COVID-19 (CORONAVIRUS) INFORMACION Y RECURSOS - NAMI es la organización comunitaria de salud mental más grande de la nación, y su propósito es que las millones de personas afectadas por condiciones de salud mental tengan una vida mejor.

​​​​​​​Communication Toolkit For Migrants, Refugees, and Other Limited-English-Proficient Populations
 

Línea de Ayuda en Iowa 515-344-3936: Esta línea es para ayudar a la comunidad hispanohablante en el estado de Iowa con el objetivo de proporcionar información, recursos y apoyo para la comunidad de Iowa. La línea es respondida por profesionales de la comunidad latina. Toda la información es confidencial.

Hearing Impaired - Translation Resources HERE!

• Emerging Health Issues and updates from the Iowa Department of Public Health website.
•  IDPH recommends that everyone should
  • Wash your hands often,  with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
    • Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay at least six feet from others at all times.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others.
    • The mask helps to protect others if you are sick and don't know it.
    • Everyone should wear a mask when in public settings; especially when social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
    • Continue to maintain social distancing even when wearing a mask.
  • Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
    • Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for the most current information on COVID-19.
• Resources for Community and Faith-Based Leaders - Plan, prepare, and respond to coronavirus disease. 

• The Department of Human Services website has COVID specific information for current DHS clients and also an updated list of Childcare resources. 

• Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) Program - The Families First Coronavirus Response Act allows states to issue Food Assistance benefits to households with children in Pre K-12th grade who have temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals due to pandemic-related school closures.

• Food Assistance Resources

Visit Iowa Workforce Development to file a unemployment claim. If you have any questions about your claim, or are unable to file online, please call the customer service line at 1-866-239-0843

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) is a program under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 which provides unemployment insurance benefits to those individuals who have exhausted their state unemployment insurance entitlement.  It is funded by the federal government, not by state unemployment taxes paid by employers. 

August 5th Update: Renters and Homeowners who previously received $600 unemployment benefit now eligible to apply for rent and mortgage assistance.

Iowa families are facing many challenges to cope with the Covid-19 virus. Some have lost jobs or had their hours of employment reduced. These circumstances could lead to difficulty in paying your utility bill. If you find yourself in that situation, there is help available through the State’s network of local community action agencies that have offices in all 99 counties. Families can apply for the Energy Assistance program at their local community action agency. 

This program can help pay a portion of an eligible household's utility bill. Eligibility is based on household size and income. Anyone facing difficulty in paying their utility bill is encouraged to contact their local agency.

Community action agencies have other types of help available, such as food and clothing pantries, and other services. 

Click HERE to find your local Community Action Agency.

• ​​​​Ten Things for a Parish to Think about Before a Disaster
• For 24/7 disaster crisis counseling, call Iowa Concern Hotline at 800-447-1985.
• Click Here for a listing of Iowa Long Term Recovery Center (LTRC) & Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD
• Ready.gov (Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA]). FEMAs site for families, kids, and businesses to “Prepare, Plan, and Stay Informed.”
• American Red Cross Prepare your Home & Family The American Red Cross’s page focused on preparing the home and family.
• The Iowa COVID-19 Legal Advice Hotline - 1-800-332-0419 - is now live.
  The Iowa COVID-19 Legal Hotline is a free service available to Iowans who are experiencing legal issues due to the public health crisis to get all Iowans access to the key legal information and advice they need during this crisis.
• COVID RECOVERY IOWA ASSISTANCE - COVID Recovery Iowa provides counseling, virtual activities, referrals and help to find resources to any Iowan seeking assistance or a listening ear.

Governor's Disaster Proclamations

• Iowa's COVID-19 Disaster Proclamations

• Proclamation of Disaster Emergency signed 04/10

• Proclamation of Disaster Emergency signed 04/06

• Proclamation of Disaster Emergency signed 04/02

• Proclamation of Disaster Emergency signed 03/31

• Proclamation of Disaster Emergency signed 03/26

• Proclamation of Disaster Emergency signed 03/22

• Proclamation of Disaster Emergency signed 03/19

• Proclamation of Disaster Emergency signed 03/17

• Proclamation of Disaster Emergency signed 03/13

• Proclamation of Disaster Emergency signed 03/09

The president approved Gov. Kim Reynolds' request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for COVID-19, removing a $5 million cap on federal funds as well as making available the Community Disaster Loan program. The declaration provides assistance for work and services to save lives and protect property, to include emergency protective measures.
 

• Governor's Press Release on 03/23 Declaration

• White House Press Release on 03/23 Declaration

• FEMA Information on 03/23 Declaration

​​​​​​​The Coronavirus.iowa.gov website is the central location for all state goverment information and provides links to information on other agency sites.