COVID-19

COVID-19 Vaccine Information
The State of Minnesota has announced the launch of the Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, which is a tool that helps Minnesotans find out when, where and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine. This system is a proactive way for all Minnesotans to indicate their interest in receiving a vaccine so that when they become eligible, they can be alerted and connected to resources to schedule a vaccine appointment.

In Minnesota, you are eligible now to get vaccinated if you are a:

• Minnesotan age 65 or older
• Health care worker
• Long-term care resident or staff member
• Prekindergarten through Adult Basic and Community Education school staff member, or contracted school staff member
• Child care staff member at a licensed and certified child care center or program

Go to mn.gov/vaccineconnector to sign up.

COVID-19 Hotline for Refugees and Immigrants

The Department of Human Services Resettlement Programs Office has a new hotline that will help refugees and immigrants with any concerns they have related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Refugees and immigrants can call the hotline, 651-318-0989, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for information on:

• COVID-19 testing locations
• Food support
• Health care and mental health resources
• Housing and rental assistance
• COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing information

The hotline has staff that can speak Amharic, Anuak, Arabic, French, Hindi, Karen, Lingala, Luganda, Mashi, Oromo, Somali, Spanish and Swahili. Language line help is available for any other language.

Other helpful resources for COVID-19

• State of MN COVID-19 Response website
• Stay Safe MN Order Frequently Asked Questions
• Stay Safe Learning Plan
• MN Department of Health COVID-19 information
• Information Hotline: 651-201-3920 (7 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
• Resources about COVID-19 symptoms and testing (if you should get tested, and to find a testing location near you)

State-sponsored free COVID-19 testing sites

Learn more.

tax preparation Support

With the tax season approaching, have you found yourself thinking of filing your own taxes? Prepare and Prosper can support you to prepare taxes online for free with the help of a Self-Prep Tax Guide and/or free, weekly, online training sessions. Visit Prepare and Prosper website. Webinars begin February 2, and continue every week until April 20..

Utilities Support

MN Cold Weather Rule

The State of Minnesota’s Cold Weather Rule helps customers who cannot pay their gas bill in full. It may not completely stop winter disconnections but provides customers extra protection from Oct. 15 through April 15.

If you have questions or would like more information, contact CenterPoint Energy at 612-372-4680 or 800-729-6164 (toll-free). You can also learn more online.

food

Meals to go!

LSS Meals to Go is a convenient and affordable frozen meal delivery service that is available throughout Minnesota. Payments can be made by check, credit card or through the Alternative Care Program, Elderly Waiver or SNAP. The Community Access for Disability Inclusion Waiver will soon also cover the cost. Learn more information and view menus.

EBT and SNAP Updates

Online EBT now available for SNAP recipients through Amazon and Walmart

Minnesota has been approved by FNS for online EBT purchasing use for SNAP. (Cash assistance cannot be used online at this time.) Participants will need to pay for delivery fees and taxes (if applicable) with another payment source (credit card or debit card, PayPal). For more information about these services visit these websites:

• Amazon
• Walmart

Additional Food Resources

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Loaves and Fishes: Provides free curbside community lunches + dinners at the locations/times below:
  • Mount Olivet Lutheran Church
    Every Tuesday and Thursday, 5:15-6:15 p.m.
    12235 Old Rockford Rd, Plymouth, MN 55441
  • Plymouth Covenant Church
    Tuesday and Saturday from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
    Plymouth Covenant Church, Door 3, Vicksburg Lane North, Plymouth, MN
  • Ridgedale YMCA
    Monday-Friday, noon-1 p.m.
    12301 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55305
• Home-delivered meals through Senior LinkAge Line (age restrictions may apply)
• Meals on Wheels: Food delivery for senior citizens that are 65+, people with disabilities, and people recovering from surgery or major illnesses who are having difficulties preparing meals
• Help at Your Door: Grocery delivery for a fee (sliding scale) for seniors and people with disabilities
• Hunger Impact Partners: Mobile app to locate kids’ meals during school closures

transportation

Plymouth Metrolink

Service Update

Metrolink has implemented a service increase from the previous reduced level. These changes include many redesigned fixed routes. They are also now offering weekend dial-a-ride service. Learn more.

Translation Services

Plymouth Metrolink and Dial-A-Ride services offers translation services. The app that is being used to schedule rides currently offers English and Spanish settings with more languages to come. For more information on these services contact Nur Kasin (nkasin@plymouthmn.gov or 763-509-5013.

YOUTH & FAMILY

Support for Afterschool Programs Through Tax Credits

Whether it’s music lessons, robotics camp, tutoring, driver’s education or more, Minnesota Afterschool Advance helps students and their families fund their afterschool goals through the Minnesota K-12 Education Tax Credit. Learn more.

Parent Support

The Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis ParentChild+ program is a free home visiting program for families that promotes creative ways to learn through play, enhances parenting skills and helps children prepare for school. Learn more.

Early Learning Support

• Do you have concerns about how your child is growing and learning?
• Did you just move into the district and need school district information?
• Do you have questions or need help registering your child for preschool?
• Are you looking for one-to-one parent support?
• Would you like to connect with other families and children?

If so, the Wayzata Early Learning School’s (WELS) Outreach Team would like to connect with you! WELS offers a variety of early learning opportunities for children ages birth to five including preschool, parent and child classes, early childhood screening, intervention programs, and much more! We offer both in-person and virtual classes. Our Outreach Team can assist you with class registration, scholarship information, get you connected with community resources, and/or answer questions about our programs and school district. Call us to learn more about our free family activity classes!

Contact Tori Lee, Early Childhood Outreach Specialist, at 763-238-9701 or email: Tori.Lee@wayzataschools.org for more information. You can also visit our school’s website.

WPS Food Support for Students

Culinary Express has made changes to food meal kit distribution starting the week of February 1. All students will continue to receive meals at no cost. All students can still
order weekly meal kits.
Meals Served in School:

• Families do not have to pre-register for meals served in school
• Secondary students will have the option to purchase à la carte while onsite

Weekly Meal Kit Pick Up:

• Weekly registration is still required through Nutrislice for meals that are picked up via food distribution.

February Meal Pick Up Location and Day:

Fridays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Wayzata Public School Building, 295 Highway 55, Medina (West end of building). Order deadline: Tuesdays at 11 p.m.

If you have questions or concerns about picking up meals, please call Culinary Express at 763-745-5154 or email wpsculinaryexpress@wayzataschools.org.

unemployment benefits

Unemployment Insurance

If your hours or rate of pay have been substantially reduced, you may be eligible for unemployment benefits (UI). All workers affected by COVID-19 should apply. The UI Program will review your application and determine your eligibility for benefits.

Two ways to apply for Unemployment Benefits:

• Online
• By phone: Call 651-296-3644. Choose English, Spanish, Hmong, or Somali. TTY (for the deaf and hard of hearing): 1-866-814-1252

NOTE: If you need to apply for unemployment benefits for the first time, please refer to the schedule below to learn when you are scheduled to apply. You will only be allowed to apply on your assigned day (or on Thursday/Friday if you missed that day).

Questions? Visit the COVID-19 and Unemployment Insurance Benefits page.

HOUSING

Eviction Suspensions

For up-to-date information on eviction moratoriums please visit the HOME Line website.

Tenant Resource Center

A tenant resource center is available on the first floor of Urban League Twin Cities at 2100 Plymouth Avenue N, Minneapolis. The center is a collaborative set of resources that are co-located to prevent eviction and housing displacement for people in our community. Resources include emergency assistance, legal help, mediation, and workforce. The Tenant Resource Center website provides additional information on hours of operation, services and workshop dates.

Housing Search Support

Are you interested in locating affordable housing? Do you have questions on the requirements when applying for housing? Would you like to know more about your rights as a tenant?

HousingLink is a great online resource to answer all of these questions and more. Click here for more information on affordable housing resources and information for renters, landlords, researchers and policy makers.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Utilities

Xcel Energy
Until further notice is given, Xcel Energy has stopped service disconnections for residential customers. Learn more online or call 800-895-4999.

CenterPoint Energy
Temporarily, gas disconnections have been postponed. To learn more about payment options call 800-245-2377.

SENIORs

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Read the CDC’s recommendations for steps you can take, how to cope with stress, and more during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Minnesota’s Board on Aging
Helping Minnesota’s Older Adults during COVID-19. View their website.

Senior Community Services
Information on senior outreach, caregiver support and changes to services due to COVID-19 on their website.

Meals on Wheels
Meals on Wheels continues to deliver nutritious meals to individuals throughout the Twin Cities. Sign up online or call (612) 623-3363.

Elder Friends Phone Companions
A program matching socially isolated adults with a friendly phone companion. Phone companions must complete a background check. Visit this website if you would like to receive calls or volunteer to make calls.

YMCA Health and Fitness Videos – Active Older Adult
On-demand videos showing follow-along home workouts. Minimal equipment needed – grab a chair and get started here.

SELF-CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH

We acknowledge that these are challenging times, but taking a moment to prioritize the mental health of ourselves and our loved ones is crucial. Please see the following resources on self-care techniques, and ways to connect with mental health professionals.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Read the CDC’s recommendations for managing stress and anxiety.

Interfaith Outreach partners with two mental health providers

• Relate Counseling Center provides free counseling and mental health support to adults – individuals, couples, and families.
• Washburn Center for Children provides counseling to support the social, emotional and educational development of children who are experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma or other mental health stressors.

Both agencies are currently providing tele-medicine, and can work with you by phone or through remote meeting services such as Zoom.

For more information on how to get connected with a Relate or Washburn counselor, please talk with Interfaith Outreach staff. Case Managers, Neighborhood Program staff or Employment Services staff are all able to connect you.

Crisis Text Line
24/7 emergency service. Text ‘MN to 741741’ if you or someone you know is experiencing a psychiatric or mental health crisis. Visit the Crisis Text Line website for more information.

Minnesota Warmline
Are you needing support and someone to talk to? Professionally trained Certified Peer Specialists, with first-hand experience living with mental health conditions will answer your calls. Call 651-288-0400. Text “Support” to 85511 or visit visit the Minnesota Warmline website.

The Walk-in Counseling Center
Services have transitioned from face-to-face walk-in counseling to virtual counseling sessions. To get started by phone or computer, please follow the instructions on the Walk-in Counseling Center website.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
A 24/7 lifeline providing support when in distress. You may receive prevention and crisis resources for yourself, loved ones, and for professionals. Call 1-800-273-8255.

Hennepin County’s Mental Health Services

• Services for adults
• Services for children

County Crisis Contacts
A directory of mental health crisis phone numbers for adults and children organized by county

• Adult Mental Health Crisis Response Numbers
• Children Mental Health Crisis Response Numbers

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Visit NAMI’s Minnesota office Mental Health Support And COVID-19 webpage.

TECHNOLOGY

Internet Access

• Comcast – Wifi Hotspots
  • Comcast has hundreds of Wifi hotspots up and running which anyone can connect to for free. Click the link above and select your location to determine where the closest Wifi hotspot might be located.
• Comcast – Internet Essentials
  • Comcast also provides a free internet service for 60 days via their Internet Essentials program.
• Low-cost or free Internet Plans
• Spectrum free Internet for students