This page will be updated as additional information and resources become available.

The City and its partners are working together to provide information and resources that may offer some level of support, security and stability for families in need due to the impacts of the coronavirus response. We invite those in need to contact the Department of Community and Human Services Customer Relations Team at 703.746.5700 for assistance. Our staff will help connect you to the appropriate resources.

Learn How to Access the Variety of DCHS Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic  |  Spanish  |  Arabic  |  Amharic

Food Assistance

ALIVE! Distribution  

On Saturday, March 28, ALIVE! will distribute free food for Alexandria residents in need from 8:30 a.m. to noon, or until supplies run out, in the parking lots of John Adams Elementary School at 5651 Rayburn Ave. and Cora Kelly Elementary School at 3600 Commonwealth Ave. Bags of food will be distributed on a drive-thru basis. Each car will be eligible to receive one bag per family member; no more than four bags per vehicle. Individuals who walk on to the sites will be asked to observe social distancing practices by maintaining six feet of personal space.

Hunger Free Alexandria
Hunger Free Alexandria produces a calendar of locations, days and times, including any eligibility requirements for food delivery, food pantries and prepared foods. 

Food Assistance Directory |  Weekly Schedule English 

Food Assistance Directory |  Weekly Schedule Spanish

Food Assistance Directory |  Weekly Schedule Amharic

Food for Alexandria City Public School Students
For information about food provided by ACPS to students during the school shutdown, visit the  ACPS website, which will be updated as information becomes available.

Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Medicaid
These programs aid households in need of food, medical insurance and/or cash assist for families with dependent children. To learn more about applying for any of these benefits, visit commonhelp.virginia.govor call 703.746.5700.  All financial and technical eligibility factors must be met prior to issuance of benefits. Most programs require interviews, which will be conducted over the phone.

The Virginia Department of Social Services announced on Wednesday, March 25, 2020, that it is extending services and providing emergency allotments for households currently receiving SNAP benefits and exempting all localities from the work benefit.

• Extended Certifications: Certifications expiring in March, April and May 2020, will be extended for six months until September, October and November 2020. For cases already in renewal and cases where renewals have already been processed, the certification date will not be extended.
  
• Emergency Allotments: Emergency allotments for current SNAP households will be issued for the months of March and April 2020. The emergency allotment will be the difference in the maximum allotment for the household size and the household’s regular monthly allotment. If a household currently receives the maximum allotment, they will not receive an emergency allotment. March emergency allotments were issued March 25, 2020. April emergency allotments will be issued April 16, 2020.
  
• Statewide Exemption from the Work Requirement: Effective April 1, 2020, all localities will be exempt from the work requirement. This will be in effect until the end of the month subsequent to the month in which the public health emergency is ended. 

Emergency Safety Net Services

The Department of Community and Human Services provides Emergency Safety Net Services to residents who face an immediate crisis and need help to resolve the situation. Safety Net Services may include, but are not limited to emergency shelter, eviction assistance, prescription assistance, burial assistance and utility turn-off notices. For more information, please visit the  Office of Community Services or call the Department of Community and Human Services Customer Call Center at 703.746.5700.

Prescription Drug Assistance  
Learn more about assistance with prescriptions and more through the  Office of Community Services.

Utility Assistance
Links to private utility providers are listed at  alexandriava.gov/Utilities. Check with providers to learn about any assistance they may be providing to those impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19. You may also apply for  utility assistance through community programs and Virginia's CommonHelp. 

Alexandria Renew Enterprises, Dominion Energy and Virginia American Water have notified the City that they have temporarily suspended utility disconnections for non-payment. For further questions, contact the provider directly.

Renter and Homeowner Assistance
Renters and homeowners experiencing financial difficulties related to the coronavirus COVID-19 should contact their landlords or mortgage companies as soon as possible to set up alternative payment plans for rent or mortgages.  If you need assistance or additional information, including to prevent an eviction or a foreclosure, call the Office of Housing at 703.746.4990, and you will be connected to a staff person who can assist you with resources. 

Assistance for Clients of Mental Health, Substance Use Treatment and Developmental Disability Services
If you or a member of your household are currently participating in behavioral health services through a program of the Alexandria Community Services Board, please speak with your therapist or case manager about accessing financial support from Friends of Alexandria Mental Health, Inc. Friends provides assistance to eligible clients for such bills as utilities, prescriptions, small medical or dental bills, security deposits and portions of rent.

Healthcare

For questions about coronavirus COVID-19, call the Alexandria COVID-19 Information Line at 703.746.4988, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Virginia residents can also call the Virginia Department of Health public information line at 877-ASK-VDH3 with questions about the COVID-19. For chest pain or shortness of breath, call or text 911.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are coughing, fever over 100.4 F and shortness of breath. If you are concerned that you may have COVID-19, CALL your primary care physician and ask whether you should come in for an exam. Most people who get COVID-19 recover on their own at home. Anyone with symptoms of respiratory illness should isolate themselves, avoid contact with other people, wash their hands frequently and disinfect surfaces regularly. 

If you do not have a primary care physician and are not enrolled in a clinic, you may CALL an urgent care center or emergency room. For chest pain or difficulty breathing always call or text 911.

Medicaid Assistance During COVID-19 Pandemic
Due to concerns about COVID-19, there is expected to be an increase in residents seeking medical coverage. Virginia Medicaid covers all COVID-19 testing and treatment. DMAS recently announced it is taking the following steps, effective immediately, to remove barriers to care for its members and other eligible Virginians:

• Ensuring members do not inadvertently lose coverage due to lapses in paperwork or a change in circumstances. For the length of the emergency, renewals and redeterminations are extended. Any member who files an appeal during the emergency will automatically have coverage extended while waiting for the appeal.
• Eliminating co-pays for all Medicaid and FAMIS covered services, including COVID-19 testing and treatment.
• Allowing Medicaid members to obtain a 90 day supply of many routine prescriptions.
• Waiving pre-approval requirements for many critical medical services, and enacting automatic extensions for approvals that are already in place.
• Enabling Medicaid providers and members to make greater use of telehealth.

Virginians who need health coverage can visit coverva.org to find out if they may be eligible for Medicaid. They can apply for health coverage at any time by visiting commonhelp.virginia.gov.

COVID-19 Health Information in Multiple Languages 
Multiple resources are available about coronavirus. The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) encourages residents to read and share this information, especially in communities where languages other than English are primarily spoken, and with vulnerable residents, including those who may not have access to traditional media. 

Teen Wellness Center Still Open
The Teen Wellness Center at T.C. Williams is still open to all residents age 12-19 for family planning, STI and counseling services. Please call ahead to make an appointment at 703.746.4776. 

Note: The Teen Wellness Center will not be diagnosing or treating for COVID-19.

Don’t Have a Primary Care Doctor and/or Insurance?
For individuals without a primary care physician or health insurance, there are resources for you. Start here.

Latest News
For the latest information on COVID-19, visit alexandriava.gov/Coronavirus

Childcare Assistance and Referral Program 

Families participating in the State Subsidy program have signed on with a 12-month eligibility. During this period, if you find yourself without income you can request that your child care co-payment be lowered. Child care subsidy staff are available to speak with families to discuss their ongoing child care needs. Call 703.746.5437 or email  lillian.vagnoni@alexandriava.gov to seek information and help. 

Parents looking for child care that remains open should call 866-KIDS-TLC or email KasharaL@va.childcareaware.org

Housing 

Housing Relief Programs in Alexandria
This information regarding housing relief programs has been assembled by the Office of Housing from various resources, and is current as of 3/30/2020.

Assistance for Workers and Job Seekers

The City of Alexandria Workforce Development Center is offering many of its services online or by phone. Visit alexandriava.gov/WorkforceDevelopment or call 703.746.5990 for more information.

Office of Governor Ralph Northam COVID-19 FAQ for Workers

Frequently asked questions for workers that provides guidance on a range of topics, including the stimulus payment, unemployment, relief for self-employed and contractors, information for caregivers of family members with the coronavirus, and more.

Virginia Employment Commission

If you have been totally or partially separated from your job due to COVID-19, go to www.vec.virginia.gov/unemployed for information on eligibility for Unemployment Insurance or call 866.832.2363, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Financial Relief for Small Businesses

Small Business Association Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

The Small Business Association (SBA) is working directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the COVID-19. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax businesses can begin  applying for loans now. 

Alexandria Economic Development Partnership Resources
Find information and resources to help small businesses affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Learn more.

Coronavirus Car Payment Relief Program

Due to COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, a number of Americans are facing, and will face financial hardship, finding themselves unable to pay all of their bills. One of those bills may be auto payments. To that end, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has put together a list of automakers and lenders that are offering borrowers avenues of relief. This list will be updated regularly to help you figure out if making your next car payment is one worry you can let go of for the time being.

Learn more about car relief programs.

Coping Strategies

Fear and anxiety about COVID-19 can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Taking care of yourself, your friends and your family can help you cope with stress. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger. Learn more about effective ways to cope with stress and where to access support when needed.

Assistance for Pet Owners

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) has a Pet Pantry program in place for residents in need of pet food or other pet supplies. Pet items will be available for pick up at the AWLA (4101 Eisenhower Ave.) by appointment only. Residents in need are encouraged to email  community@alexandriaanimals.org or call 703.746.5508 to request pet food or supplies. If transportation is a problem, contact the AWLA to discuss options.  

Emergency Hotlines

If you are in a crisis and need to talk to someone, call the CrisisLink Hotline at 703.527.4077 or text "connect" to 85511 (for TTY, dial 711), or the Department of Community & Human Services Emergency Services at 703.746.3401.