COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESOURCES

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As we become aware of resources in the Brown County Area, we will post them on this page. If you have a specific question or have a resource that is not listed, please call or email our office at 507-354-6512 or [email protected]. For a full list of our Partner Organizations

COVID 19 EMERGENCY NON-PROFIT ASSISTANCE GRANT APPLICATION

The COVID-19 Emergency Non-Profit Assistance Grant will provide immediate support to non-profit organizations that provide services to families and individuals, in Brown County, in the areas of basic needs (food, clothing, housing), health (physical, mental, and those with disabilities) and other vulnerable populations who suffer hardship as a direct result of COVID-19.

Click HERE for more information.


The Governor also issued an executive order to help ensure that workers who are not able to work as a result of COVID-19 have benefits available. Workers who are unemployed or who have hours reduced due to the COVID-19 outbreak are asked to apply for unemployment benefits online at uimn.org. The website can accept applications Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Please apply on the website to ensure the most efficient processing of applications during this unprecedented situation.


Updates on COVID-19

Stay up-to-date on the latest developments from Minnesota Department of Health by visiting https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html


Information for Small Businesses

Employers can find employer-focused COVID-19 related information that is updated regularly on the Information for Employers page. Find out more about the actions taken on the Governor’s website. For the most up to date information on what DEED is doing during the COVID-19 outbreak refer to COVID-19 webpage on the DEED website.
Small Business Emergency Loans:
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is creating an emergency loan program to help Minnesota small business owners who need immediate assistance to meet their families’ basic needs during COVID-19 closures. To review the requirements or to learn more visit the Information and Resources for Employers and Businesses on MN DEED website.

Sales tax grace period:
Restaurants, bars and other businesses impacted by the temporary closures now have a 30-day grace period in paying sales and use tax, under a grace period announced yesterday by the Minnesota Department of Revenue. This means that affected businesses with a monthly Sales and Use Tax payment due March 20, 2020 will have until April 20 to make that payment. These customers should still file their return by March 20. Penalties or interest will not be assessed during the grace period. Find out more at the Minnesota Department of Revenue website.

Workplace health and safety: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for help with preparing for and responding to COVID-19.

If you need to reduce workers' hours:
Employers experiencing a slowdown in their businesses or services as a result of the coronavirus impact on the economy may apply for the Unemployment Insurance Shared Work Program. Visit Shared Work Program to learn more about its benefits for employers and employees, and how to apply.

Unemployment Insurance information for employers:
Additional Unemployment Insurance information for employers affected by COVID-19


Emergency Child Care Grant Program

For more information about the Minnesota Initiative Foundations or this grant program, visit http://greaterminnesota.net/childcare or to learn about Think Small and its program visit https://www.thinksmall.org.


Financial Assistance

LSS Financial Counseling is available as a resource during this difficult time.

1. Facing Financial Uncertainty? Click HERE to Find Resources!
2. Facing Financial Uncertainty? Click HERE to Take Action
3. Facing Financial Uncertainty? Click HERE to learn how to Prioritize
LSS Financial Counseling will continue to be available by telephone and online appointments. Until further notice, face-to-face, in person, office appointments in Mankato will not be available. Our Scheduling Team can be reached at 888-577-2227. Residents may also reach out to us for financial counseling via online service on our website at https://www.lssmn.org/financialcounseling/financial-wellness-services/bu...
Internet Assistance Program (MUST APPLY BY MARCH 31, 2020)
Consolidated Communications is offering 2 months free internet for new accounts - call 844-968-7224 or visit their website at www.consolidated.com/offer/student. The Student Support Program from Consolidated offers 2 Months of Free Home Internet Service to help low-income students who do not have home Internet service during this unprecedented time. Simply follow the directions below to take advantage of this limited-time special offer (expires March 31, 2020). Current Consolidated customers must complete the form to sign up for the offer.

Legal Services

Legal Services State Support is a non-profit organization that works with legal aid to improve access to justice for all Minnesotans. Legal Services State Support is working to educate and inform Minnesotans about how their housing, unemployment, and other legal rights are affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. View the links below for more information.

LawHelpMN COVID Legal Resources

How does the COVID-19 Pandemic affect my legal rights


Food Services

Meals on Wheels are continuing in Brown County to:

Comfrey (Mondays and Thursdays) from the Community Center: 507-877-2209
Sleepy Eye from Ross Park Apartments: 507-794-7296
Springfield from St. Johns Luthern: 507-227-1056
New Ulm from the Community Center: 507-359-2243
No congregate/dine-in meals are allowed, but any congregate diner can choose to pick up their meal curbside or get it delivered.

For any NEW inquires please call 507-359-2243. We can deliver a meal to anyone 60 years+ within city limits who requests a meal. There is a suggested donation of $5.00 to $7.80 for the meal and they need to complete a registration form that can be sent to them (on-site registration is not required). Anyone younger than 60 can still get a meal, but they would have to pay the full cost of $7.80.

NEW ULM AREA EMERGENCY FOOD SHELF
Home deliveries to seniors (65+) will begin in May to ensure they are getting the food that they need durin gthis pandemic. If you or someone you know could use this service, please call 507-354-7668 or email [email protected].

PROJECT LUNCBOX
Due to the COVID-19 emergency, the United Way of the Brown County Area has waived the income restriction to sign your child up for Project Lunchbox. If you child attends a New Ulm District school in PreK-8th grade and are facing food sensitivity in the home, they can receive meal packages picked up at their child's school during the free lunch time on Thursday and Friday each week.

Click HERE for the updated Project Lunchbox Student Sign-Up Form.


Daycare Shortage

Southern Minnesota Crisis Nursery provides 24/7 emergency daycare and help with clothing and childcare product needs.
507-766-6925
https://www.smncrisisnursery.org/


Stress/Anxiety/Depression:
Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org


CADA - Committee Against Domestic Abuse, Inc.
www.cadamn.org
CADA Crisis Line 1-800-477-0466
Provides safety and support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault through education, advocacy and shelter.


Webinars for NonProfits in Response to COVID-19 and Disaster Relief

The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) — in partnership with our allies in the nonprofit, public, and private sectors — is pleased to co-host free webinars in the coming weeks in response to COVID-19 and its impact on nonprofits and the communities they serve.
To learn more about or register for these free informational offerings, please jump to the links below:

Practicing Resilience in Community

Minnesota Communities Caring for Children invites you to join us in a daily, 30-minute, family-friendly practice of resilience, M-F at 12:30 p.m. on Zoom.
No pre-registration required! Just join any day you are available using one of the following methods:
Join using a computer or smart phone by clicking this link and following the instructions: https://zoom.us/j/145915007
Or join by phone only at: +1 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 145 915 007
One tap mobile: +13126266799,,145915007#
Each day there will be a different Resilience practice offered. Here’s what’s on deck for the week of March 23:
Monday 3/23 - Grounding in Sound and listening with Becky Dale
Tuesday 3/24 - Mind-Body medicine with Susan Beaulieu
Wednesday 3/25 - TBD
Thursday 3/26 - Centering Practice with Anela Barboza, Somatic Coach
Friday 3/27 - Social Emotional Learning – Peacemaker Resources