In an effort to provide Rhode Islanders with the most up-to-date information during the COVID-19 crisis, we have compiled a list of resources at the state level. If you or your family are in need of assistance, please be sure to contact the agencies listed below:
Department of Health – 24-hour hotline on all COVID-19 related issues: 222-8022. Email: RIDOH.COVID19Questions@health.ri.gov. Website: www.health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019
Department of Labor & Training – Telephone: 462-2020. Email: dlt.covid19@dlt.ri.gov Website: For Unemployment Insurance – www.dlt.ri.gov/ui. For Temporary Disability Insurance – www.dlt.ri.gov.tdi. For COVID-19 related claims, the state is waiving the seven-day out-of-work minimum to qualify for these claims.
Commerce Office – Small Business Hotline: 521-HELP (4357). Email: info@commerce.ri.com. Website: https://commerceri.com/covid-19/
Department of Business Regulation – For information on working and operating businesses. Telephone: 889-5550. Website: www.dbr.ri.gov
Listing of Businesses Still Open – Website: https://dbr.ri.gov/documents/DBR_Critical_retail_businesses_list_032820.pdf
Work Guidelines for Businesses – Website: https://commerceri.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-BUSINESS-GUIDELINES_V3.pdf
Small Business Administration Loan Relief – Telephone: 528-4561. Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Website: www.Disasterloan.sba.gov
SBA Paycheck Protection Program — https://www.lisc.org/covid-19/small-business-assistance/paycheck-protection-program
Superior Court Recovery Plan for Small Businesses – Website: https://www.courts.ri.gov/Courts/SuperiorCourt/Pages/BusinessRecoveryPlan.aspx
Short-Term Loans for Small Businesses – For those with 10 or fewer employees. Telephone: 521-HELP. Website: http://rilisc.org/
Technology Help for Small Businesses – Free remote support sessions. Website: www.districthallprovidence.org
U.S. Department of Labor – Information for businesses and individuals about Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Website: www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions
United Way – For housing, food and additional assistance, and a cybercrime hot line. Telephone: 211. Web: www.uwri.org/2-1-1.
Mental Health Assistance – 24-hour hotline through BH Link: 414-5465. 24-hour triage center is located at 975 Waterman Avenue, East Providence.
RI Division of Taxation: Information for hotels and owners of vacation properties. Website: http://www.tax.ri.gov/Advisory/ADV_2020_12.pdf
Department of Motor Vehicles – Main office in Cranston by appointment only. Satellite offices closed. Telephone: 462-4368. Website: www.dmv.ri.gov
Deliveries for those quarantined – Telephone: 2-1-1 or 462-4444. Website: http://www.oha.ri.gov/deliveryoptions/
RI Student Loan Authority – Assistance with loan repayments. Telephone: 800-758-7562. Website: www.risla.com
Department of Education – Telephone: 222-4600. Website: www.ride.ri.gov.
For students to join April Reading Challenge – Website: www.ride.ri.gov/insideride/additionalinformation/aprilreadingchallenge.aspx
Free “Grab & Go” Student Meals – Website: www.health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019/about/foodsites/index.php
Public Utilities Commission – Telephone: 780-9700. All regulated utilities have been ordered not to terminate services at this time.
Better Business Bureau – To report COVID-19 relief check scams: Website: www.BBB.org/coronavirus
Attorney General’s Office – Consumer Protection Unit for complaints on price gouging and scams: 274-4400.
To obtain Free Child Care Assistance – Website: www.care.com/rineed
To volunteer to provide Child Care Assistance – Website: www.care.com/rigive
Department of Environmental Management – Status of outdoor recreation programs. Website: www.dem.ri.gov.
Family Court Issues – For clarification on custody issues. Website: https://www.helprilaw.org/
Blue Cross Information – Website: www.bcbsri.com/coronavirus
RI Office of Healthy Aging – To help seniors. Website: www.oha.ri.gov
RI Foundation – Non-profit organizations may be eligible to receive grants. They can apply at: www.rifoundation.org/covid19response
To donate medical supplies – Website: rigov.wufoo.com
To volunteer medical and behavioral health services: Retired professionals are needed. Website: www.riresponds.org
To donate blood to RI Blood Center – Must make an appointment first. Telephone: 453-8307. Email: medicalstaff@ribc.org. Website: www.ribc.org
To donate food to RI Food Bank – Website: www.rifoodbank.org
General CDC Guidelines – Website: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov
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