Coronavirus Resources: Physical Health

Apr 3, 2020

Resources, tips, and other information in Massachusetts related to the current crisis, categorized by the five pillars of our Bridge to Self-Sufficiency®. This post covers Physical Health, part of the Physical & Mental Health sub-pillar of Well-Being.

We’re providing resources, tips, and other information related to COVID-19 in Massachusetts, categorized by the five pillars of our Bridge to Self-Sufficiency®.

Last week we covered Housing and Family, the two sub-pillars under the first pillar of the Bridge, Family Stability. This week we’re moving on to the second pillar of the Bridge, Well-Being, which includes Mental Health & Physical Health.

Click here to see all resource categories.

Health Care and Virus Testing

General Information

  • DO NOT avoid testing or treatment for lack of coverage!
  • Hotline: Call Health Care For All’s HelpLine at (800) 272-4232 for questions about applying for health insurance in MA, health insurance benefits, and issues with state programs. Open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday.
  • The MA Department of Public Health has ordered all commercial insurers and the Group Insurance Commission to cover medically necessary telehealth services in the same manner they cover in-person services. Insurers must do this without requiring cost-sharing of any kind – such as co-pays and coinsurance. Read the full order here.
  • How to Support Children’s Health During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

MassHealth

  • If you have MassHealth, you’re FULLY COVERED for COVID-19 testing and treatment. No referrals are needed.
  • If you’re uninsured, you can apply for MassHealth or Connector plans.
  • All MassHealth Enrollment sites are closed for walk-in visitors until further notice. If you are a MassHealth member or applicant and you need support or have any questions, call the Customer Service Center at 800- 841-2900 (TTY 800-497-4648).
  • MassHealth patients are able to pick up 90-day prescription refills. There will also be leniency around picking up the prescription early.
  • Click here for more information on MassHealth.

Food Assistance

  • Hotline: MA residents can contact Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 (TTY 1-800-377-1292) or gettingsnap.org for resources in their community and help signing up for SNAP (“food stamps”), WIC (Women, Infants, & Children). Available in 160 languages and for those who are hearing impaired.
  • Find food pantries and community meal programs: Click here.
  • Free groceries: Wednesdays at 2pm at the Brazilian Worker Center (14 Harvard Ave, Allston). Click here for more info.
  • Stores: Gov. Charlie Baker ordered grocery stores and pharmacies to provide at least one hour a day of shopping time for adults over 60 years old. Some have designated more than one hour. Check stores’ websites for details.

SNAP applicants

  • If you lost your job or work hours because of COVID-19, you can apply for SNAP at any time. You do not have to wait to file an application.
  • MA Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) requires applicants to provide the “best available proof” for verifications during application for all benefits. DTA recognizes that some documents might not be available at this time. A self-declaration letter might be the best available document to provide and is acceptable.
  • New SNAP recipients will receive their EBT card by mail only and it may take 5-10 days to receive your new card. People experiencing homelessness can use a shelter address to receive their card.
  • More information for workers who lost hours or job due to COVID-19: English | Español

Current SNAP recipients

  • SNAP recipients who are due to re-certify will have their benefits extended for 6 months. No one receiving benefits will lose their benefits during this time.
  • The SNAP work requirement rule for adults without dependents has been suspended.
  • Eligible households whose monthly SNAP benefit is less than the maximum SNAP for your household will get a supplemental benefit up to the maximum SNAP grant. If you get the maximum SNAP benefit, you will not get extra SNAP. More information on emergency SNAP benefits: English | Español
  • Reminder: households can give permission to friends, family, or other trusted people to use their EBT card on their behalf, with no need for formal documentation or written paperwork. This may be helpful for seniors, persons with disabilities, and other populations who are particularly vulnerable and at risk from COVID-19, and who may need to ask others to go shopping on their behalf.

WIC (Women, Infants, & Children)

  • All WIC Programs are providing all services by phone: (800) 942-1007. Hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. If you hear a recording, leave a message with your name and telephone number.
  • People who use WIC should plan to arrive at the grocery store first thing before things are cleared out for the day. You can call the store and find out what days they are restocking certain items.
  • Contact your local WIC office with any questions about breastfeeding, nutrition or shopping.
  • Click here for more information and updates.

School Meals

Free meals to all youth and teens (this information is continuously changing, so keep checking back if you don’t find meals in your community):

Workouts

City of Boston Playgrounds & Parks

  • City of Boston playgrounds and tot lots are temporarily closed.
  • Fitness equipment, basketball courts, and sports fields at Boston parks are closed.
  • City of Boston parks remain open for passive use such as walking, running, cycling, and skateboarding, while practicing physical distancing. Keep six feet of space between yourself and others.
  • Click here for more information from Boston Parks and Recreation.

Miscellaneous