March 20 COVID-19 Public Briefing
City of Richmond COVID-19 Response Update
March 20, 2020
Accessing City Services
The city will be closed through the end of the month. There is a list of city services that will be available during this period online, linked here. The list will be updated as circumstances change.
Here is an example of the type of information available in that repository.
- Department of Social Services
o DSS determines initial and continuing eligibility for various benefit programs, to include those that pertain to basic needs (i.e., food and emergency rental or utility payments).
o Citizens who need to apply for benefits should call the Enterprise Call Center at 1-855-635-4370 or go online. Pending applications, renewals or verifications can be faxed to 804-646-7018 or placed in the drop box at the front of the Marshall Plaza or Southside Community Service Center.
o Citizens needing an EBT replacement card are encouraged to call 1-866-281-2448. If you have questions about your EBT card, call the 24-hour Virginia EBT Customer Service Help Line at 866-281-2448.
o Citizens can submit DSS inquiries and requests regarding services through the RVA311 webpage or call 804-646-7000. Benefit workers will contact citizens directly to conducted interviews by phone. To make a report, citizens are encouraged to call the 24/7 CPS Hotline at 1-800-552-7096.
o Adult Protective Services (APS) staff are available to respond to and investigate allegations of abuse and/or neglect involving the elderly or adults with a disability. To make a report, citizens are encouraged to call the 24/7 APS Hotline at 1-888-832-3858.
The city has also made Frequently Asked Questions references available for the Departments of Social Services and Finance.
Childcare Options are Expanding
Today, Mayor Stoney announced that his administration has partnered with the YMCA of Greater Richmond to provide emergency childcare to elementary and middle school-aged children of essential medical personnel in Richmond.
This center, opening Monday at the Downtown branch of the Greater Richmond YMCA, will be the first in a group of emergency childcare centers aimed toward serving children (K through 8th Grade) of essential governmental and non-governmental employees.
Read the full release here.
Promoting Reliable, Safe Public Information
Yesterday, we shared important information on the increasing number of scam calls in response to the pandemic. Read that information here.
In response to the uptick in scam calls, state and federal officials are combatting COVID-19 scams
“In response to the increased threat of fraud presented by the coronavirus, federal and Virginia state law enforcement leaders announced today the formation of the Virginia Coronavirus Fraud Task Force… The mission of the task force is to identify, investigate, and prosecute fraud related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in Virginia.”
The City is doubling down on its effort to provide public information to the Hispanic community
Click here to access the Spanish-language page dedicated to COVID-19 information. It is typically a few hours behind the English-language page because of translation times. However, the city is dedicated to making the dissemination of public information equitable and reflective of Richmond’s community.
If someone in your community could use the services of the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA), here’s what they offer during the city closure:
- The Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA), is responding to customer calls through their main line 804-646-0145 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Customers’ calls include but are not limited to information about resources in Spanish or other languages, connecting and referring customers to partner agencies to receive services or follow up on pending cases.
- The appointments scheduled for the Legal Clinic, conducted every second and fourth Thursday of the month, will be done over the phone.
- Customers are encouraged to follow OMA’s Facebook page @RichmondCityOMA, where information and updates about COVID-19 are posted in Spanish and English.
Economic Relief for Food and Drink Service Workers
Are you looking to support the restaurant industry in Richmond?
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