Resources for Social Workers
RESUMING IN-PERSON SERVICES:
COVID-19: Legal Considerations for Social Workers Resuming In-Person Services
COVID-19: Legal Considerations for Resuming In-Person Services: What About Vaccination Requirements?
FREE COVID-19 LEGAL ADVICE: The federal eviction prevention program expires on Saturday, July 25. Under the CARES Act, tenants of apartment buildings financed by federally backed mortgages could not be evicted for failing to pay rent for 120 days. If you have any questions or problems related to evictions, contact Iowa Legal Aid for free legal advice at: https://www.iowalegalaid.org.
PHASE-IN UTILITY SERVICE DISCONNECTIONS: This month, investor-owned utilities resumed customer utility disconnections that were previously paused do to COVID-19. On March 27, 2020, an emergency order that restricted utility shut offs by all electric and natural gas utilities, including investor-owned, municipal, and cooperative. On May 20th, the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) issued an order establishing requirements for all Iowa utilities to follow before resuming disconnection service with a utility disconnection service timeline. Iowans who need information can go to IUB’s frequently asked utility service disconnection questions sheet. Those who are unable to reach a resolution with their utilities can call the IUB at 877-565-4450 (toll-free), 515-725-7300 or email customer@iub.iowa.gov. Any customer who has a complaint about utility service and is unable to resolve the issue with their utility may use the IUB online complaint form to file a complaint with the IUB.
NASW's Telehealth page provides information on telehealth and Medicare.
ASWB and COVID-19
Medicare and coronavirus - Medicare.gov
Useful Resources for Children and Families During the COVID-19 Crisis - Children’s Defense Fund
Covid Funeral Assistance:
FEMA is now accepting applications for funeral expenses paid after January 20, 2020 for deaths caused by COVID-19. We are only accepting applications by phone. Online applications are not accepted.
You may visit COVID-19 Funeral Assistance for information about the program. After you read this information and gather the necessary documents, call 1-844-684-6333 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) to apply for this assistance. Call this number also for help with ALL other questions or concerns about COVID-19 Funeral Assistance.The phone line is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
Please do not call the normal FEMA Helpline for help with COVID-19 Funeral Assistance. They will ask you to call the direct funeral assistance number.
At this time, there is no deadline to apply for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance.
If you would like to volunteer your services or time in support of COVID-19, visit the . For information about COVID-19 vaccines, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) COVID-19 Vaccines page. You may also dial 2-1-1 for the United Way or visit .
Iowa COVID-19 Resources
Iowa Department of Human Services COVID-19 Resources
Medicaid: COVID-19 DHS Resources
DHS: Expanded Home Delivered Meals, Homemaker, and Companion Services
Coronavirus in Iowa
Financial Relief to Iowans with Disabilities
The financial impact of COVID-19 is hitting the disabled community particularly hard. Many Iowans with disabilities are not able to afford equipment that is essential for independent living, such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, vehicle or home modifications, prosthetics, and more.
To learn about loan options or apply, visit the Iowa Able Foundation application. You can also reach out to Iowa Able office with any questions by calling 515-292-2972.
Refugee Alliance of Central Iowa (RACI)
(RACI) COVID-19 Information
The Iowa Covid-19 ELL Help Line is 1-877-558-2609. They can connect callers with information, healthcare providers, resources, and more in the multiple languages.
RACI and Lutheran Services in Iowa, in partnership with 211, Polk County Heath Department, and the Iowa Department of Public Health, launched the hotline to help expand access and capacity to Iowans who are limited in English. Interpretation is available in Spanish, Arabic, Swahili, Kinyarawanda, Kirundi/Kinyamulenge, French, Burmese, Karen, Karenni, Nepali, Somali, Tigrinya, Kunama, Amharic, Nuer, Maban, Vietnamese, Mandarin, and other optional languages. Interpreters will be available 8:30-5:00 with a 24 hour voicemail.
Clients who are currently out of state
Have a client who is currently in a state where you are not licensed, but needs services? Visit the Association of Social Work Boards website to see if regulations have been waived in that state to allow out of state licensees to provide social work services via telehealth.
Click “For Social Workers” for useful information.