Walmart begins COVID-19 testing at 7 New Jersey stores
The company has partnered with Quest Diagnostics to expand community testing.
Drive-thru testing sites at the following Walmart stores:
174 Passaic St, Garfield, NJ 07026
2100 88th St, North Bergen, NJ 07047
150 Harrison Ave, Kearny, NJ 07032
152 NJ-31 N, Flemington, NJ 08822
2106 Mt Holly Rd, Burlington Township, NJ 08016
4900 U.S. Hwy #9, Howell Township, NJ 07731
934 NJ-73, Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054
The sites are open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays weekly from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., weather permitting.
The testing sites will require an appointment through Quest’s online portal and app, which will screen and schedule appointments for those individuals that meet medical eligibility for the testing sites.
Anyone with questions regarding testing and appointments, should call Quest’s COVID-19 line at 866-448-7719, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
CLICK HERE for news article.
Whole Foods Hiring Part-Time In-Store Shoppers in Wall
The position entails being in the Wall store as a shopper for orders that come in through an app you would be required to download. After you complete the order you would place it in a designated area of the store and a driver will do the delivery. You remain in the store shopping for your shift and DO NOT DO DELIVERY. The pay is $15 an hour. They are flexible with your availability. The only requirement is that you work one shift per month.
Wall_Shopper_Team_Member1aWellness Resources
Mindfulness
Mindful.org – mindfulness activities and resources
Yoga for Beginners – 20 minute at home yoga workout for beginners
Relief from anxiety, stress, and energetic imbalance – 15 Minute Meditation
www.calm.com – website for meditation and mindfulness
Grounding Techniques – refocus your mind on the positive instead of stress and anxiety
Mindfulness Apps
Insight timer App – free guided meditations
Headspace app – meditation so you stress less
Wellness Activities
National Museum of Natural History – take a virtual tour of a museum
Coursera – take a free and exciting class on a variety of fun topics through Coursera
Goodreads – occupy your mind with a new book or book club
Puzzles & Coloring – occupy your mind with a challenging puzzle or elaborate coloring exercise
Physical Fitness Activities
Get Outside! – go for a walk, jog, bike ride, or shoot some hoops while maintaining social distancing guidelines
Home Work-Ins – free workouts that you can do in your home courtesy of Planet Fitness
Fiton – free app for exercise that is easy and fun all ages and abilities
Mayo Clinic – exercise to manage stress
Make Your Own Face Mask
Washable, Reusable, No-Sewing Required
Community Help
** New Jersey Resource Guide
In response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, NJ’s Drug Monitoring Initiative (DMI) has created a “New Jersey Resource Guide” to provide DMI partners and the public with links to relevant resources for a variety of topics including:
- NJ Office of the Governor COVID-19 Updates – updates and briefings from the NJ Office of the Governor
- COVID-19 Links – national, statewide, and local links/information to all things COVID-19 related (e.g. viral statistics, alerts, maps)
- Access to Naloxone (Narcan) – list of programs that are still offering naloxone in NJ
- Recovery Support & Meetings – list of active (many of which are online) recovery and support services for stakeholders and those suffering from substance use disorder
- Mental Health Support – behavioral health information and resources to help those suffering from a mental illness
- Crisis Hotlines – list of hotlines to call for different purposes (e.g. National Suicide Hotline, Poison Help Hotline, National Domestic Violence Hotline, The Trevor Project etc.)
- State Resources – statewide links to information such as guidance for travelers, resources for healthcare providers, opioid-related data, and other updates
- National Resources – links to live information hubs and maps that provide real-time information regarding COVID- 19 from sources such as the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO)
- Food Banks– list of food banks by county
- Emergency Housing– list emergency housing by county
- Senior Services – list of services for seniors (e.g. where to find groceries, meals, and support)
- College Resources – list of resources for college students (e.g. storage and food assistance and financial support)
- Job Searches – support services and portals to obtain employment
- Business/Employee Resources –resources to guide both employers and employees for financial assistance and filing paperwork/forms
- Home Expenses Information –programs to assist in financial hardships during COVID-19
- In-Home Education – online education resources for all ages (e.g. music lessons, art classes, online classes, and guidance on how to talk to adolescents about COVID-19)
- Entertainment – online sources for virtual tours, concerts, kid shows, comedy, theatre, art shows etc.
- Health & Wellness –online fitness, health, and wellness resources
- Volunteering/Donation Opportunities – organizations that are looking for volunteers and/or donations
** Mental Health Resources
If you are feeling overwhelmed with emotions such as sadness, depression, anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or someone else, call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).
Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-572-7233
Child Abuse Hotline – 1-877-652-2818
NJ Dept. of Children & Families Parent Helpline – 1-800-843-5437
Hotlines and Helplines for Kids – (click here)
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
NJ Hope Line
1-855-654-6735. Need someone to talk to? We are here to help. Specialists are available for confidential telephone counseling and support 24 hours a day, 7 day per week.
Monmouth County Behavioral Health Crisis Counselors
Crisis counselors are available to residents experiencing stress or anxiety via phone Monday – Friday from 9am – 8pm at 732-845-2070.
NJ Mental Health Cares Help Line
NJ Mental Health Cares, the state’s behavioral health information and referral service, will now also offer help to people dealing with anxiety and worry related to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. New Jerseyans can call 1-866-202-HELP (4357) for free, confidential support from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.
CDC: Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
Guidance for parents and families with resources for students who are struggling to cope with anxiety and stress as a result of COVID-19.
** Emergency Child Care
First Responders and Essential Personnel are eligible for emergency child care at the Freehold YMCA – Cost: $60 per day, per child https://ymcanj.org/essential-childcare
** Food / Financial Assistance Resources
FULFILL (Foodbank) – If you or anyone you know needs assistance, text “FINDFOOD” to 888-918-2729 to locate a food pantry near you. The Fulfill Center (fulfillnj.org) on Route 66 in Neptune had boxes of food located at the entrance for anyone needing it. No forms to fill out…no identification required…just go and pick one up.
In Need of Food or Financial Assistance, you may be eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), and/or General Assistance (GA): https://www.njhelps.org
Assistance with Applying for food stamps, utility assistance, health insurance, etc (Monmouth and Ocean County)
COVID-19 Emergency Funds (Monmouth County)
Groceries and Ready Meals available through Lunch Break, 121 James Parker Blvd, Red Bank
If You Need a Meal – JBJ Soul Kitchen in Red Bank and Toms River is offering free take out meals during specific times throughout the week (depending upon supply) – Click Here for schedule and details.
Monmouth County Agencies Helping Distribute Food to Those in Need:
> Friends of the Bayshore
Phone #: (732) 320-2441 or (908) 992-9714
> RAINE Foundation Phone #: (732) 865-3555
> Boys and Girls Club, Red Bank (Meals available M-F)
Monmouth County Food Pantries and other Food Resources CLICK HERE
Ocean County Food Pantries CLICK HERE
** Home Financial Assistance Resources
Need Help Paying Home Energy Bills – The Home Energy Assistance Program helps very low-income residents with their heating and cooling bills, and makes provisions for emergency heating system services and emergency fuel assistance within the Home Energy Assistance Program.
Need Help Paying the Rent or Mortgage – The State Rental Assistance Program provides rental assistance grants. To get more information and determine your eligibility.
Residential Mortgage Relief for COVID-19
Free NJ Foreclosure, Pre-Foreclosure and Rental Counseling – https://njhousing.gov/foreclosure/
> Residential Evictions: What Tenants Need to Know – Click for Fact Sheet with links for Renters
> Residential Evictions: What Homeowners Need to Know – Click for Fact Sheet with links for Homeowners
** Caring for Someone with Special Needs
The New Jersey Department of Human Services has guidance for individuals and families caring for people with developmental disabilities:
https://nj.gov/humanservices/coronavirus.html
Testing Sites
** Community-based testing sites
These sites are open to all New Jerseyans who are experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness.
** County testing sites
These sites may be restricted to residents or first responders of a specific county. Some also require an appointment and/or prescription from a healthcare provider.
You can find community-based and county testing site locations and hours here
** Private testing sites
To access testing at these sites, you must contact your doctor or healthcare provider.
1.) Immediate Care of Marlboro
Immediate Care of Marlboro, Edison, Brick, Red Bank and Hazlet are Offering Covid-19 Testing.
Appointments are required. They can be made by calling 1-855-925-5467. Extension 0. Intake forms are available at http://immcare.com. There are criteria that must be met to be tested. For self-paying, uninsured patients, the test kit and lab fees total $220.
Test results can also be accessed on their website.
2.) Hackensack Meridian Urgent Care Centers
If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms with a fever and cough and suspect you may have been exposed to Coronavirus or if you have been directed by a physician to be tested, please call each location before you visit. You will be instructed on the evaluation process. Upon calling, you may be screened and, if needed, you may be swabbed and tested for Coronavirus outside in your vehicle. At this time, it is important to note we will only provide testing to those who meet CDC guidelines.
These are not mass drive thru testing locations.
Health Departments
** Monmouth County Health Department
Monmouth County Health Department COVID-19 Hotline: 732-845-2070
** Ocean County Health Department
Ocean County Health Department COVID-19 Hotline: 732-341-9700 ext. 7411
NJ STATE COVID-19 Resources:
Call (General COVID-19 Questions): 2-1-1 (7 am – 11 pm)
Call (Clinical Questions): 1-800-962-1253 (24/7)
Text NJCOVID to 898-211 to receive alerts
COVID-19 Self-Assessment (Symptom Checker)
NJ COVID-19 Information Hub
Have COVID-19 Questions?
State of New Jersey COVID-19 Jobs and Hiring Portal
Get Assistance – FAQs
General Public – FAQs
Health Care Professionals – FAQs
NJ Contact Information and Resources
If I get infected, when do symptoms appear?
Symptoms can appear between 2-14 days after exposure, though some people may not have any symptoms while still being contagious. It’s also important to consider whether you’ve been in contact with an infected person, as well as any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you believe you’ve been infected and you are not in immediate danger, you should contact your doctor by phone. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911, and notify the dispatch personnel that you may have COVID-19. CDC – what to do if you are sick
Hotline for Diabetes Emergency Kit
The Diabetes Foundation has opened a hotline for individuals living with all types of diabetes to receive a free Backup Emergency Kits. Anyone needing an emergency backup kit can apply to receive one by visiting the Diabetes Foundation website or calling 973-849-5234.
Applying for NJ Assistance with Basic Needs
Our state has an online application and screening tool that can be used for many of the basic services designed to help those struggling to make ends meet. Learn about NJHelps.
NJ Housing Assistance
The DCAid website will allow you to go through a screening process to see if you are eligible for the NJ housing assistance programs.
Social Security Administration
All local Social Security offices will be closed to the public for in-person service starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020. You can still get our help by using our online services or calling us. SSA – Coronavirus Information
The Inspector General of Social Security, Gail S. Ennis, is warning the public about fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19-related office closures. We will not suspend or discontinue benefits because our offices are closed to the public for in-person service. Read the fraud advisory.
CARES Act
(Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
Unemployment and how individuals can apply
Unemployment insurance has been extended to include bigger unemployment checks and also expanded for multiple groups previously ineligible for unemployment assistance including, gig-works and freelancers, self-employed workers, people seeking part-time work, workers who can’t reach their place of work, and those who don’t have sufficient work history to previously qualify.
Importantly, this bill also now allows workers who have quit their job as a “direct result of Covid-19” to qualify for unemployment, this situation would not normally qualify.
Unemployment insurance will also be provided to those laid off by their employer, furloughed workers, and employees working reduced hours due to Covid-19. If you receive workers’ compensation you will also qualify for a check.
Stimulus check for individuals who qualify
U.S. residents will receive the Economic Impact Payment of $1,200 for individual or head of household filers, and $2,400 for married filing jointly if they are not a dependent of another taxpayer and have a work eligible Social Security number with adjusted gross income up to:
- $75,000 for individuals
- $112,500 for head of household filers and
- $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns
Taxpayers will receive a reduced payment if their AGI is between:
- $75,000 and $99,000 if their filing status was single or married filing separately
- 112,500 and $136,500 for head of household
- $150,000 and $198,000 if their filing status was married filing jointly
The amount of the reduced payment will be based upon the taxpayers specific adjusted gross income.
Eligible retirees and recipients of Social Security, Railroad Retirement, disability or veterans’ benefits as well as taxpayers who do not make enough money to normally have to file a tax return will receive a payment. This also includes those who have no income, as well as those whose income comes entirely from certain benefit programs, such as Supplemental Security Income benefits.
Retirees who receive either Social Security retirement or Railroad Retirement benefits will also receive payments automatically.
Stimulus check for individuals who make too little to file taxes
If you don’t file taxes, use the “Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here” application to provide simple information so you can get your payment.
You should use this application if:
- You did not file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return because your gross income was under $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples). This includes people who had no income.
Or
- You weren’t required to file a 2018 or 2019 federal income tax return for other reasons
If you receive these benefits, we already have your information and you will receive $1,200. Do not use this application if you receive:
- Social Security retirement benefits
- Social Security Disability Insurance benefits
- Railroad Retirement and Survivor Benefits
Special note: People in these groups who have qualifying children under age 17 can use this application to claim the $500 payment per child.
Student Loan Payments
All federal loan student payments will be suspended through September 30th, 2020. This means anyone with a federal student loan will have the option of pausing their federal student loans without any penalties or late fees. This does not include private student loans or FFEL Loans.
The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act
The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now.
