Covid-19 Assistance

Help for You During the Covid-19

CAO of WNY has established a Covid-19 Task Force to serve families in need during this time of crisis. We are here for you.

– Rent and Mortgage Relief
– Utilities Emergency Program
– Job Preparedness and Opportunites
– Emergency Food Resources
– Child Care Services
– Senior Care Services
– After School Services
– School-age Distance Learning
– Crisis Help
– Drug Addiction & Mental Health

We have adjusted the way we provide our services by following our local government’s directives to advocate social distancing.

CAO’s Operations During Covid-19

All CAO Community Centers and Neighborhood Centers are closed to walk-ins and in-person meetings to encourage social distancing.
All Head Start/Early Head Start Locations are closed due to New York State Regulatory Guidelines.
Emergency Services such as our Head Start/Early Head Start Home-Based Services, Food Pantry, Housing Improvement and other services are available by calling (716) 881-5150 or emailing our Program Directors.
Our DART Clinic will continue to maintain normal dispensing and clinic hours.

Covid-19 Resources

CAO of WNY wants you to stay informed! Please follow the guidelines from your local government and health professionals to slow the spread of COVID-19. We encourage you to utilize the below resources to stay updated during this time:

Erie County Department of Health
Information Line: (716) 858-2929
Available Monday-Friday 9am-9pm

211 WNY

New York State Department of Health Coronavirus
Hotline: 1-888-364-3065

New York State Mental Health Emotional Support
Hotline: 1-844-863-93145

New York State Department of Health, Novel Coronavirus:
https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/coronavirus/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Coronavirus:
http://www.coronavirus.gov

World Health Organization Coronavirus:
https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus/

Center for Elder Law and Justice COVID-19: https://elderjusticeny.org/covid-19-what-new-yorkers-need-to-know/

Prevent Child Abuse New York: COVID-19 Resources:
https://preventchildabuseny.org/covid-19-resources-and-response

EPIC (Every Person Influences Children)
Family Support Line: (716) 332-4111
Website: >https://www.epicforchildren.org/coronavirus-resources

COVID-19 and Your Workplace Rights: https://www.abetterbalance.org/covid19/

WNED/PBS’ Learn at Home Schedule

Fordham Institute’s “Resources for learning from home during COVID-19 school closures”

The Buffalo Zoo “Bring the Zoo to You” videos on Facebook

Buffalo Museum of Science Virtual Science Fairs and Museum Tours on Facebook

The Martin House Wright at Home

Project Play Western New York #PlayAtHome resources

Google Arts & Culture: Virtual Museum Tours

Important Notices:

Deadline for Federal/State Tax Returns moved to July 15, 2020.

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, all eviction court proceedings and pending eviction orders shall be suspended statewide for 90 days.

Spectrum will begin offering the free broadband internet and Wi-Fi service as a way to help students whose classes are moving online because of closings caused by COVID-19. Spectrum will waive installation fees for non-subscribing households with students. Once the initial 60-day period expires, the service will continue unless the consumer cancels. Contact Spectrum at 1-844-488-8395.

Unemployment Benefits: How To Guide

New York State is waiving the 7-day waiting period for Unemployment

Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to COVID-19 closures or quarantines. Apply online at www.labor.ny.gov and click on Unemployment Insurance, your claim is processed quicker when you file online, there is usually a long wait when using the telephone to file for benefits.

Start Your Application For Service