This page offers practical resources to help you cope with disruptive hardships during the crisis phase of this pandemic and beyond. More community assistance may be found on https://covid19.sanantonio.gov/Assistance/Residents. Bexar County residents living outside of the San Antonio city limits may find relief programs on https://www.bexar.org/3314/Bexar-County-Strong.
- 24/7 Mental Health Support Line
- Texas Health and Human Services launched a 24/7 statewide mental health support line to help Texans experiencing anxiety, stress or emotional challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Call toll-free at 1.833.986.1919 anytime to speak to a counselor.
Fair Housing/COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Program
This program provides San Antonio and Bexar County residents with rent, utility, and internet access assistance. Information on eligibility and how to apply at https://www.sanantonio.gov/NHSD/Programs/FairHousing or call 210.207.5910.
Employment Assistance
COVID-19 Workforce Recovery Program: The City of San Antonio has partnered with Workforce Solutions Alamo, Alamo Colleges, Project Quest, Restore Education, Family Service, Chrysalis Ministries, and SA Works to offer free workforce training and education to San Antonio residents who have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the hardest hit industries of hospitality, food service, and retail (based on unemployment claims). Call 311 or 210.207.6000 to apply.
To apply for Unemployment Benefits, check claim status, and general Unemployment information: ui.texasworkforce.org or call 1-800-939-6631 M-F 8 am - 5 pm. See also How to Apply for Texas Unemployment Benefits video tutorial.
Live Job Coach (help with searching, applying, and preparing for jobs) and Unemployment Assistance (help with completing unemployment benefits forms) available every day 11 am - 9 pm on Brainfuse JobNow with your library card.
More Covid-19 related jobs information at https://guides.mysapl.org/Unemployment and https://guides.mysapl.org/jsbc.
Food Assistance
San Antonio Food Bank https://safoodbank.org/cvresponse/
San Antonio Community Resource Directory (SACRD) of resources including food, education, healthcare, housing, and legal.
United Way Help Line 211 or (877) 541-7905 to access free social service hotline for food, healthcare, housing, and more.
Education Assistance
GCFLearnFree.org offers more than 200 topics, including more than 2,000 lessons, more than 1,000 videos, and more than 50 interactives and games, completely free.
Explore online courses and educational content for adults and K-12 students https://www.everyoneon.org/digital-learning
Region-20 Educational Service Center https://sites.google.com/esc20.info/covid-19/home
From SAPL https://guides.mysapl.org/backtoschool
Computer and Internet Access
Printing and copying are available for a small fee at all SAPL locations offering public computer access. You can also upload documents remotely through our Printing Portal. Scanning and faxing services are offered free of charge, but faxing is only available at the Central Library and Learn Centers. Call 210-207-2500 for more information. Public Wi-Fi is freely available outside all SAPL locations except Briscoe Portal, 7:30 a.m. -10:30 p.m daily.
Public computers, printing, scanning, and faxing are also available at BiblioTech, Bexar County's All-Digital Public Library, at three locations: South (3505 Pleasanton Rd, 210-631-0180), East (1203 N Walters St, 210-631-0230), West (2003 S Zarzamora St, 210-631-0190). To check out a hotspot or tablet, please call ahead to reserve the device.
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that provides a temporary $50 subsidy on monthly broadband (internet service) bills for qualifying low-income households. This program is available until funds are exhausted.
Guide to low-cost Internet https://www.everyoneon.org/find-offers
Tax Relief Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
IRS payment https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center
More tax relief info https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments
Domestic Violence Protection
Family Violence Prevention Services offers emergency shelter and legal assistance. Crisis hotline 210-733-8810.
National Domestic Violence Hotline (800) 799-7233 is available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or requesting assistance with unhealthy aspects of their relationship.
See also ChildSafe and other domestic violence resources.
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance
FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. Applications begin on April 12, 2021 (Phone 844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST). More info at https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance
