New York is always ready to help immigrants: what programs are available to them

This holiday season, more than ever, I think about the importance that immigrant communities have in New York City. They looked after us during the pandemic: Half a million critical workers on the front lines, including delivery personnel, emergency medical personnel, drivers, medical personnel and many others, are immigrants.

I want to thank all the immigrants who helped us and tell you: New York is a city where you always get help! City resources, including health care, food assistance and other services, are available to everyone during the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. If you'd like to know more, see the City Resources Guide at website nyc.gov/immigrants/coronavirus.

Benefits

If you have questions about how access to certain government benefits may affect immigration status, please call the ActionNYC hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9: 00 to 18: 00.

Taking a COVID-19 test and getting health care, access to free meals and other COVID-19 services the city does NOT count as government benefits, which are listed in the Public Charge Act, and NOT affect your eligibility to apply for a green card or citizenship. To find a testing center near you, visit Web site nyc.gov/covidtest, or send SMS with text "COVID TEST" to number 855-48, or call the number 212-COVID19 (212-268-4319) and say "COVID-19 Test".

Medical Services

You and your family can access medical services, including emergency medical care, by contacting the organization NYC Health + Hospitals... To do this, call the number 844-NYC-4NYC (844-692-4692).

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The city's public hospital system provides care to all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status. It also operates NYC Care, which provides access to health care and provides affordable and free health care to New Yorkers who do not qualify for health insurance or cannot afford it.

For more information, call 646-NYC-CARE (646-692-2273) or visit Web site nyccare.nyc.

Free food

Our communities have done a great job to provide food for everyone during this challenging year. No New Yorker should be hungry. The City of New York City provides free meals to all New Yorkers at more than 500 food outlets throughout the city, open Monday through Friday, 15:00 pm to 17:00 pm.

You can get multiple grocery packages at one time, or get groceries for other family members. All food outlets offer vegetarian and halal food, while some outlets offer kosher and non-vegetarian halal food.

To find a food outlet near you, visit Web site nyc.gov/getfood or call the number 311... Your immigration status does not matter, no registration or ID is required to receive food. Anyone, regardless of income level, can use New York City canteens or public kitchens for groceries and hot meals.

Tenant protection

If you are a tenant and need help with housing, eviction, or your landlord, visit Web site nyc.gov/tenantprotection or call number 311 and say "tenant helpline".

All tenants in New York City, regardless of income and immigration status, have access to free legal aid, counseling and special training. Financial rental assistance may be available to some metropolitan tenants, and some tenants may also be eligible for free legal representation at the Housing Court.

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Call the city's Tenant Helpline for help in your language and to learn more about tenant rights and available resources. They can also help you if you are at risk of being evicted. To do this, call at 311 and say “Tenant Helpline”.

General information for immigrants

You can call the MOIA hotline at number 212-788-7654 from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00 or send an email to e-mail [email protected]to ask any questions about how to access the city's services for immigrants. If they don't answer you, leave a message with your first and last name and phone number, and we will call you back!

The City of New York City also protects the interests of its residents in the federal government to ensure that COVID-19-related resources and economic and social support are available to everyone, including immigrants who were previously excluded from federal assistance. New York is a city where you always get help!

The original column was published on the website Queens chronicle.