1. Public Health
  2. Coronavirus
  3. Recommendations and Guidance
  4. Helpful Resources

Helpful Resources

A person holding a phone in their hands

Where can I get help to pay rent, get food, or meet other basic needs?

For any community resource needs you have, connect with 211, a free service through United Way. Visit them online, text your zip code to 898211, or simply call 211. Depending on call volume, accessing 211 online may be faster.

Our Community Resource page also lists help available, including a printable version.

Where can I get help specifically related to COVID-19?

Community Organizations

  • Public Health Isolation Support Program: Resources for financial hardship and food delivery through pantry
  • Greater Madison Resource Center: Links for support from community members, rent support and housing, emergency finance resources, utility resources, food security, baby, pet, hygiene and home care resources, emergency dental, mental health, enrichment for school age children and misc.

Emergency and Recovery Funds

  • Financial Navigator Hotline: Madison residents seeking help with financial concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic can contact a new, free hotline to be connected with a “Financial Navigator” – a person they can talk to about their financial concerns. Financial Navigators are available at no cost to provide guidance, over the phone, to help residents access available programs and services to manage income loss and other financial concerns they may be experiencing. 
  • United Way Dane County COVID-19 Fund: Emergency and Recovery Fund to support those affected by COVID-19.
  • United Way Dane County COVID-19 Fund: Recipients who have funds to help
  • Urban Triage: Provides supports specific to the needs of Black families and those most vulnerable and impacted by COVID-19.
  • Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness: Provides mini-grants to women to meet their family’s immediate needs for food, housing, childcare, toiletries, medication, healthcare related costs, or other critical expenses.
  • Progress Center for Black Women: Schedule a meeting to discuss COVID-19 related resources (Dane County Residents) and your specific needs.
  • Sankofa Educational Leadership United with Support of Multiple Dane County Orgs: Funds available for rent, utility bills, phone bills , food vouchers , gas and gift baskets for essential cleaning and hygiene items that are not available at the grocery store.

Federal Resources

Learn about the help you can get through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and government programs to help pay for phone bills, medical bills, and other expenses. You can also learn how to apply for temporary assistance.

Food

  • See our food resource guide in English and Spanish.
  • We have a list of food access resources as well in English.
  • The Madison Metropolitan School District has many resources listed for families with children who attend school in their district, including free internet and daily free meals.
  • This article shares food resources/ locations/times for meals/pantries

Mental Health and Well Being

  • Resilient Wisconsin: Information about trauma and toxic stress. You will find video links and coping strategies.
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • Caregiver Help Desk (Call 855-227-3640): Contact the Care Support Team, staffed by caregiving experts, to help you find the right information you need to help you navigate your complex caregiving challenges. Caregiving experts are available 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM ET.
  • Project Recovery: Project Recovery is a community-based program designed to meet the emotional needs of the community. Trained Crisis Counselors are available to help people better understand their situation and reactions, assist in the review of their options, provide emotional support and encourage linkage with resources.

Housing

State Resources

Transportation

Non-Emergent Medical Transportation

  • Provide rides to medical appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • This applies if you are enrolled in one of the following programs:
  • Badger Care Plus Wisconsin Medicaid Family Planning Only Services Medicaid Purchase Plan SSI Medicaid IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) Badger Care Plus Express Enrollment for Pregnant Women Tuberculosis-Related Medicaid Katie Beckett Care4Kids Children Come First Wraparound Milwaukee

Non-Medical Transportation

  • Transit Solutions: 608-294-8747
  • Grocery/Food Pantry Trips: For folks over 60 and/or have disability (free)
    • Maximum of 2 people in van
    • Let them know the day and they will give you a time
    • Service by location: if you live on the East Side only service to east side locations
  • Grocery Delivery Program: For folks over 60 and/or have disability (free)
    • Transit solutions has volunteers to take your grocery list and shop for you
    • Client will have to pay for groceries
      Provider appointments: $30 each way paid by client unless referred by a third party organization- then whatever that organization sets the price to the client

Veterans