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LAWYERS’ COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW COVID-19 Resource Manual Louisiana Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law 1500 K Street, NW - Suite 900 | Washington, DC 20005 202.662.8600 [email protected] Letter from Kristen Clarke President and Executive Director The Lawyers’ Committee has prepared this manual in partnership with the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center and Jane Place Neighborhood Sustainability Initiative to provide you and your family with guidance in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this rise in COVID-19 cases, this manual provides resources that may be available to you, including: unemployment benefits, housing needs, access to education, election information, and other support resources. We, along with our partners in Louisiana, are committed to serving as a resource to the communities that we serve during these trying times. We are independent of any government agency, but your safety and security are paramount to us. If you have internet access, our website (www.lawyerscommittee.org) has additional information about your rights, and we hope that this information is helpful to you during this difficult time. 2 Table of Contents • General Resources – You Have Rights ………………………………….………..4 • Medical Support and Testing ....……………………………………………............5 • Housing Assistance ..…………………………………………………..……………8 • Unemployment Benefits ….………………………………………………………...15 • SNAP (Food Stamp) Benefits ………….…………………………………………..18 • Small Business Relief ………………………………………………….…………...19 • Louisiana Election Information …………………………………………………...22 • Education Rights and Resources …………………………...……………………28 • 2020 Census Information ………………………………….……………………….31 3 General Resources YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION The laws guaranteeing your right to be free from discrimination remain in place. If you feel that you have been subject to discrimination, or your questions regarding a specific benefit are not answered by the state or the federal agency providing the benefit, you may want to contact one or more of the following organizations for further assistance. Please note, we cannot guarantee that any of the organizations listed below will take your case and/or represent you without cost. Each organization sets its own policy on whether it will represent clients for free. LOUISIANA ORGANIZATION CONTACT INFORMATION WEBSITE COVID-19 Legal Hotline: 844.244.7871 Baton Rouge: 225.448.0331 Covington: 800.891.0076 www.slls.org Hammond: 800.349.0886 Southeast Louisiana Harvey: 800.624.4771 Apply for legal help online: Legal Services Houma: 800.256.1660 apply.lanonprofitjustice.org/server/shared/a2jv New Orleans: 877.521.6242 iewer.htm St. Charles Parish (Hahnville): 985.331.3034 Louisiana State Bar 800.421.LSBA (5722) https://www.lsba.org/public/findlegalhelp/ Association 504.566.1600 Louisiana Fair Housing Action 877.445.2100 lafairhousing.org/ Center Jane Place Neighborhood N/A www.jpnsi.org/ Sustainability Initiative P. O. Box 44003 Louisiana Legislative Baton Rouge, LA. 70804 https://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/H_Reps_ Black Caucus 225.342.7342 Caucus_LLBC 4 Getting Started ACCESSING MEDICAL SUPPORT DURING THE PANDEMIC In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, it is imperative that you, and your family, stay informed about available medical support, especially if you believe that you are infected with the coronavirus or have been exposed to someone who has been diagnosed with the virus. A coalition of Louisiana state agencies are working together to keep Louisiana residents informed about state efforts in response to COVID-19. To get the most up-to-date information, residents may call 211 or text the keyword “LACOVID” to 67283. Social Distancing and Self-Isolation Guidelines Louisiana Health officials recommend that the public practice social distancing. This means you should avoid gathering in groups of more than 10 people. Health officials recommend that you wear a face mask when going out in public and maintain at least 6 feet of physical space between yourself and others. If you are unable to purchase a mask, you may create your own by using a cloth. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, face masks should: • Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face • Be secured with ties or ear loops • Include multiple layers of fabric • Allow for breathing without restriction • Be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape You can find instructions from the CDC about how to make a cloth mask at: https://youtu.be/tPx1yqvJgf4 The Louisiana Department of Health also recommends self-isolation for 14 days if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. During this period of time, you should monitor your symptoms. If you develop a fever, cough, or trouble breathing, you should get tested as soon as possible. Getting Tested for COVID-19 The Centers for Disease Control announced that anyone with COVID-19 symptoms should be tested as long as there is approval from a medical doctor. Unfortunately, there is currently more demand for COVID-19 tests than tests available to the public. The Louisiana Department of Health recommends COVID-19 testing for anyone who has the following symptoms: • Cough • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing Or at least two of these symptoms: • Fever • Muscle pain • Chills • Headache • Repeated shaking with chills • Sore throat 5 • New loss of taste or smell Please note, your healthcare provider will determine if getting tested is appropriate given the limited number of available tests. The Louisiana Department of Health has published a daily list of local testing sites that is updated twice a day and can be found here. There are testing sites available in the following parishes: • Acadia Parish • Iberia Parish • St. Helena Parish • Allen Parish • Iberville Parish • St. James Parish • Ascension Parish • Jackson Parish • St. John the Baptist Parish • Assumption Parish • Jefferson Parish • St. Landry Parish • Avoyelles Parish • Lafayette Parish • St. Mary Parish • Bienville Parish • Lafourche Parish • St. Tammany • • Bossier Parish LaSalle Parish Parish • • Caddo Parish Lincoln Parish • Tangipahoa Parish • • Calcasieu Parish Livingston Parish • Tensas Parish • • Caldwell Parish Madison Parish • Terrebonne Parish • • Catahoula Parish Morehouse Parish • Union Parish • • Claiborne Parish Natchitoches • Vermilion Parish Parish • Concordia Parish • Vernon Parish • Orleans Parish • DeSoto Parish • Washington Parish • Ouachita Parish • East Baton Rouge • Webster Parish Parish • Pointe Coupee Parish • West Baton Rouge • East Carroll Parish Parish • Rapides Parish • East Feliciana • West Carroll • Parish Richland Parish Parish • • Evangeline Parish Sabine Parish • Winn Parish • Franklin Parish • St. Bernard Parish • Grant Parish • St. Charles Parish Who Is Eligible for COVID-19 Testing? As recognized by the federal government and the State of Louisiana, anyone with COVID-19 symptoms is eligible for testing provided that a doctor approves the test. The COVID-19 test is free, and anyone can be tested regardless of having health insurance coverage, a primary care physician, or immigration status. Louisiana testing criteria does not require official government identification. Payment for COVID-19 Testing In Louisiana, no one is financially responsible for a COVID-19 test: • Health insurance companies cannot charge a patient an out of pocket fee for COVID-19 testing. • Medicaid and Medicare cover the costs of COVID-19 testing. 6 • Patients without health insurance are entitled to free COVID-19 testing. Getting Tested Without Health Insurance Coverage or a Primary Care Doctor In Louisiana, no commercial insurance company can charge a patient an out of pocket fee for COVID-19 testing. Medicaid and Medicare cover all of the costs associated with the test. The federal government has made provisions for uninsured patients to receive free COVID testing; however, you should contact the testing site before you arrive to confirm they do not require a physician’s order for testing or that you are an existing patient of that healthcare facility's provider network. If you are uninsured and are unable to access COVID-19 testing due to a lack of insurance, please call 211 for a list of federally qualified community health centers near you or visit the website: www.lpca.net/main/for-patients/find-a-health- center. These community health centers are also an option if you do not have a primary care physician. What You Should Bring to a Testing Center If possible, we recommend you bring the following items: • Your health insurance card • Government issued ID such as a driver’s license • Contact information for your primary care physician Accessing Healthcare Services for Non-COVID-19 Related Concerns All licensed healthcare facilities in Louisiana have been ordered to postpone all non-essential treatment and procedures. It is up to healthcare providers to determine what procedures are “essential” and what are “non-essential.” If you have any scheduled surgeries or procedures, we recommend that you contact your healthcare provider to confirm whether the surgery or procedure is essential or non-essential. Under the Department of Health order, non-COVID-19 medical, surgical, and dental procedures will be performed only in the following circumstances: • To treat a medical emergency; • To avoid further harm from an underlying condition or disease; or • To treat a time-sensitive condition. Medicaid Support