COVID-19 Coronavirus Announcements and Important Information
On March 22, 2020, County Judge Clay Jenkins announced a county-wide order to shelter-in-place (Stay Home) Order through April 3, 2020. Please see here for further details, including the full video of the shelter-in-place order.
States’ Orders, waivers, and additional announcements from the Governor’s office.
Dallas County Orders
Testing Information & What to do if you are Sick
From the Department of State Health Services:
Mental Health
The Mental Health Alliance (MHA) advises “the mental health effects of COVID-19 are as important to address as are the physical health effects.” Please see here for more information.
During this time, there is a critical need for blood, platelets, and plasma. For more information on blood drive schedules, please see here.
Food Assistance
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides money for food, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children provides resources for pregnant women and people with children younger than 5.
For help with groceries including curbside service, please visit the North TX Salvation Army here and Feeding Texas here has a website where people can find 21 member food banks that can provide free groceries and a place to sign up for SNAP benefits.
The Meals on Wheels Texas website allows Texans to search for local Meals on Wheels chapters that are providing meals to elderly individuals that can be picked up or home-delivered. Local chapters are also looking for volunteers and certain items to be donated. Specific needs can be found on the local chapters’ websites.
Employment Assistance
As of March 17, 2020, the state has waived the week-long waiting period & the job search requirement to apply for unemployment. For unemployment information pertaining to employers see here and jobseekers see here.
Schools
Please see here for guidance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) around their response to COVID-19 including their statements on closings, assessment reports, and longer-term instructional continuity planning for students.
School closures are as follows:
Dallas ISD schools are closed indefinitely
Irving ISD schools are are closed through Friday, April 20th 2020
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD schools are closed through Friday, April 3rd 2020
Meal service and pickup (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) is available free of charge while schools are closed. For more information regarding pickup times, sites, and menus please see here for more information.
Childcare
The Texas Workforce Commission is working to make childcare more accessible for essential workers. Click here to access.
YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas is offering free childcare for healthcare workers, to learn more visit their website.
Seniors
The Senior Source is continuing to offer caregiver support programs and virtual senior companion programs, please see here for more information or call (214) 823-5700.
Meal delivery is also available via the Department of Health and Human Services and Meals on Wheels.
For information from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) on how older populations can stay safe, click here.
Older adults who need assistance can contact the Eldercare Locator to find services available in their community by calling 1-800-677-1116 or visiting the website.
Businesses
As of March 24, 2020, the Texas Comptroller is offering assistance to businesses struggling to pay the full amount of sales taxes in March in the form of short-term payment agreements and, in most instances, waivers of penalties and interest. Please call their Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-252-8880 and see here for more information via their website.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is offering additional FAQ’s and guidance around COVID-19, see here for information pertaining to businesses and employers.
For more information around qualifications and applications for loan and paid leave assistance with the Small Business Association, click here.
For questions on how the Shelter-In-Place order affects your employees and companies, please email Businesscovid19@dallascounty.org.
Evictions & Utilities
The Texas Supreme Court has suspended residential eviction proceedings, except in the case of physical harm or criminal activity, until April 19, 2020
Utility providers have been asked to halt disconnections for water, light, and gas. See below for provider-specific details.
- Atmos Energy has a financial aid program to help folks that are financially impacted by the virus. You can apply by calling 888-286-6700.
- TXU-Energy, Ambit, and Tri-Eagle energy services will waive late fees, extend payment due dates, and defer balances over 5 payments.
- Reliant, Green Mountain, Cirro, Stream, XOOM, and Discount Power are suspending disconnections until 4/3/2020.
Families of Inmates
Video visitation is now free. To learn more about video visitation, click here.
Other Resources
Domestic Violence
If you are seeking shelter, please reach out to The Family Place or call 214-941-1991. They are offering full services through this pandemic. See the additional numbers below for further resources and support.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233.
The Family Place Crisis Hotline: 214-941-1991
Genesis Women’s Shelter: 214-946-4357
Hope’s Door: 972-422-2911
Safe Haven of Fort Worth: 877-701-7233
Child Abuse
The Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center anticipates ‘more children will be at risk for abuse’ and continues to see high priority cases for forensic interviews without a reduction in volume. Please dial the 24-hour Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or visit their online portal here.
Elder Abuse
The 24-hour Texas Abuse Hotline is also available for elderly specific related matters, please dial 1-800-252-5400 or visit their online portal here.
If the victim is in a nursing home or assisted living facility, or is in his or her home and relies on a home health provider, call the Texas Department of State Health Services at (800) 458-9858.
Abuse of a senior who is not in a healthcare facility can also be reported to Adult Protective Services at (800) 252-5400.
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