Find Community Resources

Our staff is here to help you find the resources you and your family need. We have compiled a selection of links to help you find important information and help.


COVID-19 DIAGNOSTIC AND ANTIBODY TEST SITES

FOOD ASSISTANCE Island Harvest|Long Island Cares

HEALTH INSURANCE Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council, Inc.|NY State of Health The Official Health Plan Marketplace|One-on-One Medicare Counseling and Assistance

HOME ENERGY AND COOLING ASSISTANCE HEAP Cooling Assistance|HEAP

LEGAL HELP

MENTAL HEALTH / SUBSTANCE ABUSE Brentwood Library Family Center|NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Line|Response Crisis Center|SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

ONLINE DEFENSIVE DRIVING

PERSONAL SAFETY - DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INFORMATION & RESOURCESThe National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline|Long Island Against Domestic Violence|Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office|VIBS


 

COVID-19 DIAGNOSTIC AND ANTIBODY TEST SITES

https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you
If you think you have or had coronavirus click on the above link to find a test site or call the New York State COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065.

 

Food Assistance

Island Harvest
https://www.islandharvest.org
To find a list of local food pantries click on the above link or call (516) 294-8528. Representatives are also available to determine if you are eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and will help you apply for it. Call (516) 805-1642.

Long Island Cares
https://www.licares.org/
To locate a local food pantry or assistance program click on the link above or call (631) 582-3663.
 

 

Health Insurance

Nassau-Suffolk Hospital Council, Inc.
www.coverage4healthcare.org
Medicaid application assistance is available by phone for adults and children who are disabled or blind and anyone over age 65. Call (631) 656-9783 (Press Option 2). For more information click on the above link.

NY State of Health The Official Health Plan Marketplace
https://nystateofhealth.ny.gov
The Special Enrollment Period for uninsured New Yorkers ends September 15. Apply for coverage by clicking on the above link or by calling 1-855-355-5777.

One-on-One Medicare Counseling and Assistance (must be Medicare eligible) 
Suffolk County RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) volunteers from HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling & Assistance Program) are available to provide information about Medicare health insurance and benefits, the Extra Help for prescription drugs program and the EPIC program. Email [email protected] with your name and phone number and someone from RSVP will be in contact with you.
 

 

Home Energy and Cooling Assistance

HEAP Cooling Assistance
https://otda.ny.gov/programs/heap/#cooling-assistance
Find out if you qualify for a Home Energy Assistance (HEAP) Cooling Assistance Benefit for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner or fan by clicking on the link above or calling 1-800-342-3009.

HEAP
https://www.nslawservices.org/post/heap-heap-cooling-and-household-assistance-program
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic New York State has extended the deadline for the submission of Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) applications to August 31, 2020. Learn how to apply by clicking on the link above or calling 1-800-342-3009.
 

 

Legal Help

Nassau Suffolk Law Services
https://www.nslawservices.org/covid-19
Legal information and resources regarding economic relief, family violence, mortgages and foreclosure, nutrition, personal finance, public benefits, renters and evictions, special education and work and unemployment is available by clicking on the link above. Or call (631) 232-2400 and leave a message and you will receive a callback.

Bankruptcy

Upsolve
https://upsolve.org/ny/
Upsolve’s free nonprofit tool helps you generate your Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection forms to eliminate crushing debts from medical bills, job loss, predatory loans, and divorce. If you are considering whether bankruptcy protection is right for you, read this article https://upsolve.org/learn/should-i-file-for-chapter-7-bankruptcy/.

Eviction

Nassau Suffolk Law Services 
631-232-2400 
Look for NSLS staff in court: Attorneys and intake staff are available to meet prospective clients in court most days. 

Empire Justice Center 
631-650-2306 
Services for tenants who are not eligible for Nassau Suffolk Law Services. 

Touro Law School, Senior Citizens Law Program 
631-761-7470 
Services for Suffolk residents age 60+.
 

 

Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Brentwood Library Family Center
https://brentwoodnylibrary.org/welcome-family-center
In partnership with the Family Service League, a bilingual social worker is available Mondays from 4:00 through 7:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am through 5:00 pm for short-term counseling as well as referrals. During the library's temporary closure, social worker assistance is available by phone at (631) 647-0156.

NYS COVID-19 Emotional Support Line
https://omh.ny.gov/omhweb/covid-19-resources.html
The Emotional Support Line provides free and confidential support, helping callers experiencing increased anxiety due to the coronavirus emergency. The HelpLine is staffed by volunteers, including mental health professionals, who have received training in crisis counseling. Call 1-844-863-9314 or Text HOME to 741741 to reach a Crisis Counselor.

Response Crisis Center
https://www.responsecrisiscenter.org/
Counselors are available 24/7 for those in need of support or resources. Click on the link above or call (631) 751-7500.

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-treatment
If you have a substance use disorder help is available. Click on the link above or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

 

 

Online Defensive Driving

https://dmv.ny.gov/pirp/online 
Save 10% on your auto insurance for three years and remove up to four points from your driving record by taking a DMV approved online course.
The Empire Safety Council course offers a $10 discount with the code "BPL" www.empiresafetycouncil.com.
 

 

Personal Safety - Domestic Violence Information & Resources

Long Island Against Domestic Violence
https://liadv.org/
Services include a hotline, counseling, court and precinct advocacy, legal assistance, vocational and financial training, as well as shelter. 24/7 hotline available at (631) 666-8833.

The National Deaf Domestic Violence Hotline
https://thedeafhotline.org
Provides 24/7 support for Deaf, DeafBlind and DeafDisabled callers. Get help by calling the Video Phone at 1-855-812-1001 or by clicking on the above link.

Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office
http://www.211li.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/SCDA-Domestic-Violence-Covid-19.jpg.pdf
Regardless of the COVID-19 quarantine, shelter and protection is available for those in an abusive relationship. Click on the link above to get help.

VIBS
vibs.org
Provides hotline intervention, counseling, advocacy, court accompaniment, outreach, and community education to the survivors of domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault. Crisis hotline available 24/7 at (631) 360-3606.