COVID-19 Updates and Information
Please note that all Legal Services public events have been cancelled through 4/30/2020.
Click here to read Legal Services’ statement about our COVID-19 Response.
IMPORTANT UPDATES ABOUT LOCAL COURT CLOSURES:
Many Missouri courts have announced closures or issued communications about COVID-19 measures.
CHECK THIS LINK TO REVIEW DETAILS NOW: https://www.courts.mo.gov/pandemic/
CLICK HERE to read the statement from the Missouri Supreme Court about suspending all in-person proceedings through April 3, 2020.
Note that the Courts may still hear emergency matters but on a case-by-case basis. Many Order of Protection hearings are being postponed. Individual case information on the court’s website may not be up-to-date. If you believe you should go to court, please contact your lawyer, the court clerk, or the court’s website before you go.
Many utilities companies have issued a stop on disconnections, or a change in service as below:
- Ameren Missouri – Ameren is suspending service disconnections and forgiving late payment fees. Customers who are having difficulty paying their bill can contact Ameren Missouri’s customer care team by using this link: https://www.ameren.com/missouri Ameren has partnered with the United Way of Greater St. Louis to create the Coronavirus Income Relief Program that will offer $500,000 in energy assistance funds to customers experiencing financial hardships caused by the coronavirus response. Ameren Missouri customers with an active account can apply for $250 toward payment on their account. You do not have to be past due on your Ameren bill to apply or qualify. The United Way will determine eligibility. Must be 250% of poverty level or below and be an hourly-wage worker who has lost hours. DETAILS HERE
- Spire (gas) – Spire is suspending disconnections and late fees until May 1 for residential and business customers. If impacted by the Coronavirus and need help with your natural gas service or bill contact Spire via this link https://www.spireenergy.com/contact-us
If you have an appointment or natural gas emergency, we’re encouraging our technicians to maintain social distancing of at least six feet at all times. More info can be found at this link; https://www.spireenergy.com/coronavirus
- Missouri American Water – placing a moratorium and discontinuing service shut offs at this time. Missouri American Water will begin the restoration of service to previously shut-off customers. The restoration may take some time. if your service has been turned off, prior to March 12, 2020, Missouri American will re-start service. Link to more info: https://amwater.com/moaw/
- City of St. Louis Water Division – Mayor Krewson ordered the City of St. Louis Water Division to stop all water shutoffs for the next 60 days. This action will allow residents and businesses to maintain a clean water source for personal hygiene and cleaning efforts. https://www.stlouis-mo.gov/…/city-latest-actions-covid-19-0…
- Phone Service – AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon have all closed certain retail locations and/or reduced hours. Please CALL stores before going there to verify hours.
ADDITIONAL CLOSURES & CHANGES TO BE AWARE OF:
- Evictions halted: St. Louis City and St. Louis County have issued a stay on both eviction proceedings and the execution of any previously granted eviction court judgments. Note that it is illegal for any landlord to perform a physical eviction without the participation of the Sheriffs Department, or even the changing locks or disconnect utilities. If someone attempts to evict you, please contact Legal Services for help immediately at 314.534.4200 or 1.800.444.0514.
- Social Security offices are only offering services by telephone. DETAILS HERE
- St. Louis City Hall is closed until further notice. Dropboxes for payments and mail will be st up in the Lobby. DETAILS HERE
- St. Louis City and County Libraries are all closed until further notice. St. Charles County libraries closed until April 5th. DETAILS HERE
- All Gateway YMCA facilities closed through April 22nd. DETAILS HERE
- City of St. Louis “Stay-at-Home” order, 3/21/2020 – CLICK HERE
- All Missouri State Department Offices closed through April 6. DETAILS HERE
- Missouri Highway Patrol has cancelled all drivers exams through April 6. CLICK HERE
- Metro Transit: all fare enforcement has been suspended for both Metrolink and Metrobus. Metrolink is operating as normal, but Metrobus has some schedule changes. DETAILS HERE
- Public Playgrounds in St. Louis City and County Parks have been closed to enforce social distancing. In addition, some road closures in Forest Park have been implemented to allow more pedestrian/cyclist space. COUNTY DETAILS HERE CITY DETAILS HERE
Please read this important message from Bank of America regarding loans, mortgages and other consumer transactions. DETAILS HERE
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & INFORMATION
- St. Louis City COVID-19 information – please call 314.657.1499 (M-F, 8:00am – 5:00pm) or review details online HERE
- St. Louis County COVID-19 information – please call 314.615.2660 if experiencing fever, cough, or shortness of breath. DETAILS HERE
- Jefferson County Health Department: (636) 797-3737
- St. Charles County Health Department: (636) 949-7400
- Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services – 24 hour hotline at 877.435.8411
- Missouri Department of Social Services is relaxing requirements and extending benefits for a number of programs, including Medicaid, Food Stamps and Child Care, and waiving food stamp requirements for certain unemployed childless adults. DETAILS HERE
- United Way of Greater St Louis – 211 Helpline, available 24/7: ONLINE HERE or call 2-1-1 from your cellphone, or 1.800.427.4626 from a landline. They also have a helpful sheet of contact info for partner nonprofits who can help. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS
- Operation Food Search are offering free pick-up meals for kids at 5 Library locations , 3 days a week. DETAILS HERE
- St. Louis Area Diaper Bank are offering drive-through pick up of free diapers for those in need, every Friday at 2 locations. DETAILS HERE
- Many Restaurants are temporarily closed, but others are offering curb-side pick up. CLICK HERE for a current list of options.
- Some firms are still hiring! Check out the Bluecrew app to connect you to opportunities.
- The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, recently enacted by Congress, which provides relief to low-income clients in a number of areas, including but not limited to: Medicaid, Food Stamps, Medicare, unemployment insurance and child nutrition. DETAILS HERE for details.
- Fraud Alerts – The LSC’s Office of Inspector General has issued a fraud alert, to let people know about some scams circulating. DETAILS HERE
- City and County grab-and-go breakfast and lunch sites for children. DETAILS HERE
- St. Louis Public Schools will serve free meals to all St. Louis children 18 and younger. DETAILS HERE
- IRS filing deadline extended to July 15, 2020. DETAILS HERE
- Charter offering free internet access to students. DETAILS HERE
CDC Guidelines: