COVID-19 Resources

Mental Health Resources

The outbreak of COVID-19 can feel overwhelming for people and communities. Fear and anxiety about a disease, especially a new virus, can be stressful. There are online resources to support you. Please reach out if you need help.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Frequently Asked Questions About Mental Health from Maryland Department of Health

Maintaining Emotional Health & Well-Being During the COVID-19 Outbreak from Massachusetts Department of Mental Health

Rural Response to Farmer Mental Health and Suicide Prevention from the Rural Health Information Hub

Maryland Insurance Administration 

Overview of Our Responsibilities

• Protect Maryland consumers by regulating the state’s insurance companies and producers.
• Investigate complaints consumers have about their insurance coverage, including, but not limited to, life, health, automobile, and homeowners.
• License insurance companies and producers operating in Maryland.
• Conduct financial examinations of insurance companies to ensure solvency.
• Conduct market conduct examinations to ensure compliance with Maryland’s insurance laws.
• Investigate acts of insurance fraud.
• Review and approve rates and contract forms.

Learn More at https://insurance.maryland.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Health Insurance 

Do you need Health Insurance? Maryland Health Connection is holding a Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment; Uninsured Marylanders can enroll by June 15. Find out more at https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/

Veterans Affairs

What is VA doing?   MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS RESOURCES

VA has implemented an aggressive public health response to protect and care for Veterans, their families, health care providers, and staff in the face of this emerging health risk. They are working directly with the CDC and other federal partners to monitor the outbreak of the virus. Learn more from the VA: What Veterans need to know.

Unemployment / Training Information

How to Apply for Maryland Unemployment Insurance

The Division of Unemployment Insurance’s website and call centers are currently experiencing an unprecedented volume of users due to COVID-19. This may result in long wait times. Learn more about their updated process for filing claims.

Work Search Exemption

Due to the state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor of Maryland, and the labor conditions across the state of Maryland, the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor (Secretary) ordered, effective March 20^th, 2020, a temporary exemption from the work search requirement for individuals receiving unemployment insurance benefits. Policy Guidance – Work Search Exemption Due to COVID-19 Distributed Version

Employment and Training Administration (ETA)

Transportation Resources

FUNDING AND ECONOMIC HELP FOR TRANSIT –(See also Workforce Development COVID-19 Information)

• 5-7-2020 COVID.HEALTH INSURANCE
• CTAA- CARES ACT STATE PROGRAMS
• Secretary Chao- Potential grant information

EQUIPMENT

• Mask Specification Sheet
• Mask Types
• SB Protective Face Shield Sell Sheet

SAFETY AND SECURITY

From CTAA

• Cleaning Vehicle
• Employee Test Positive
• Local Health Department
• Wheelchair Securement
• Older Adults and Mobility COVID-19

From Federal and State

• Cleaning and Disinfection for Non-emergency Transport Vehicles
• FTA Safety Advisory COVID-19

LOCALLY OPERATED TRANSIT SYSTEMS

• 4-2-2020 CTAA SUN Managers Discuss Operational Realities COVID-19
• 4-10-2020 FTA -BUS_TRANSIT OPERATORS FLYER
• 4-10-2020 TRANSIT_MAINTENANCE_WORKER

Small Business Programs

COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide

USDA and its Federal partners have programs that can be used to provide immediate and long-term assistance to rural communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. These programs can support recovery efforts for rural residents, businesses and communities through:
technical, training, and management assistance; financial assistance; and state and local assistance. View the USDA_COVID-19_Fed_Rural_Resource_Guide

MHAA Emergency Grant

Nonprofit heritage tourism organizations located within the boundaries of a
Certified Heritage Area that are experiencing disruption of operations due directly to the
economic implications and ramifications of the State of Emergency declared on March 5, 2020. View the guidelines MHAA_COVID Grant Guidelines

Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund Programs for Businesses

Maryland has authorized $130 million in loan and grant funding for small businesses and manufacturers that have been negatively impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This emergency assistance provides interim relief and proceeds that can be used to pay cash operating expenses including payroll, suppliers, rent, fixed debt payments and other mission critical cash operating costs. If you are a Maryland-based business impacted by the Coronavirus with under 50 full- and part-time employees, or a Maryland manufacturer, check out the programs below to see if you qualify for assistance:

Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loan Fund – This $75 million loan fund (for for-profit businesses only) offers no interest or principal payments due for the first 12 months, then converts to a 36-month term loan of principal and interest payments, with an interest rate at 2% per annum.

Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund – This $50 million grant program for businesses and non-profits offers grant amounts up to $10,000, not to exceed 3 months of demonstrated cash operating expenses for the first quarter of 2020.

Maryland COVID-19 Emergency Relief Manufacturing Fund – This $5 million incentive program helps Maryland manufacturers to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) that is urgently needed by hospitals and health-care workers across the country.

COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund – This program is designed to support businesses undergoing economic stresses due to COVID-19 by preventing or minimizing the duration of unemployment resulting from layoffs. Up to $50,000 per applicant can be used in a customizable way for the specific needs of each business to minimize layoffs. Grant applications will be awarded from March 23 through 30-days after the State of Emergency ends (subject to funding availability).

Unemployment Insurance Work Sharing Program – Work Sharing is a voluntary program that provides an alternative to layoffs for employers faced with a temporary, non-cyclical decline in business due to lower economic activity. The program is designed to avoid layoffs by preserving jobs for trained workers.

Get the latest information on Maryland’s Business Emergency Relief Fund Programs at commerce.maryland.gov/fund/maryland-small-business-covid-19-emergency-relief-fund-programs.