Student Health and Wellness
CAMPUS CONNECTION
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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many economic challenges. You or someone you know may be struggling financially and that can affect access to basic needs like food, housing, and more. The following includes resources and information for basic needs and support available for you.
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Student Employee COVID-19 Relief Payment
Student Employee COVID-19 Relief Payment will be provided to student employees of Iowa State who are unable to work on campus or remotely or are working reduced hours because of COVID-19. If you have questions about the Student Employee COVID-19 Relief Payment, please email the Office of Payroll, Benefits and Tax at
payroll@iastate.edu
.
More Financial Assistance Options
ISU Extension and Outreach’s family finance program specialists are providing one-on-one free, confidential financial conversations. Iowans can connect with a family finance specialist by phone or email. Financial educators are available to talk about options for revising a budget, prioritizing bills, paying down debt and connecting Iowans with community resources to stretch reduced incomes. If you have questions, call Extension and Outreach's toll-free
Iowa Concern Hotline
at 800-447-1985 for a referral or contact the
family finance specialist
for your county.
The
Office of Student Financial Success
is another great campus resource. They have services around financial literacy, budgeting, and more.
America Saves
is an organization providing resources on various financial issues as a result of COVID-19.
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If you are looking for a job, check the Student Job Board on AccessPlus for information or CyHire. Some positions may have the option to telecommute or work virtually while classes are operating online. Connect with ISU
Career Services
to help with resume and cover letters, job searches, and changes in economic landscape due to COVID-19.
If you aren’t able to find a job that offers remote work, places currently hiring across the country include grocery stores, Walmart and Target, CVS and Walgreens, gas stations, Dollar General, Lowes and Home Depot, delivery services like Shipt and Instacart, and fast food delivery.
If you’ve lost your job, you can learn more about filing for unemployment
here
(Iowa residents learn more through
Iowa Workforce Development
).
Make a call your creditors (anyone to whom you owe money) and the companies that send you bills to see if you can pause your payments. Be sure to clearly state upfront that your income has been reduced because of COVID-19. This may be information they need to assist you.
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Other Service That Are Here to Help
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Child Care Resources
If you need childcare but are not considered an "essential" service, please check in with Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral below. They also provide
Child Care Guidance in Response to COVID-19
, which provides child care vacancies and closings, information on child care assistance payments, and much more. Call the
Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R
)
hotline at 855-244-5301 for help finding a child care provider.
Health Insurance Resources
If you are on the Student & Scholar Health Insurance plan and have questions or concerns about health insurance during COVID 19, this
resource
has information available to you. If you are not on this plan, please contact your insurance provider for additional information.
If you are uninsured, are a citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR), and meet the eligibility criteria requirements, you (and your children if applicable) may be eligible for free health insurance under Medicaid. To apply, visit your state’s Medicaid webpage (Iowa residents click
here
).
If you have children, apply for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); check
here
to see if you qualify.
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Transportation and Housing
Having trouble getting to work or to the store?
CyRide, free for ISU students, and
HIRTA continue to provide limited service to the community. Please visit their websites for additional information.
If you need to store some items during this time,
U-Haul is currently offering 30 days of free self-storage to college students.
Do you need to move? Penske rents trucks to people between 18 and 23 years old without a surcharge and provides a 10% discount to college students.
Together We Rise offers emergency financial assistance to college students who have been displaced, are experiencing homelessness, and need help with unexpected housing expenses.
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If you live on campus make sure to check
ISU Dining’s website for the most up to date information about food on campus.
Starting the week of April 27, Union Drive Community Center (UDCC) will have a pop-up food pantry for students and families to access free groceries between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday-Friday. For updates, check the
Keep Community, Stay Informed, Be Well Website
.
There are other organizations ready to lend you a hand. You can utilize a community food pantry. The United Way of Story County has
compiled a list of all food pantries in the Story County area. Not local to Ames? To locate a food pantry in your area you can call 1(800) 5-HUNGRY, visit
WhyHunger or text using your zip code to 1-800-548-6479.
If you do not have much income, you may qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Each state has an online application as well as a hotline. If you were already receiving SNAP assistance, be sure to connect with your caseworker to discuss how to manage unexpected changes in school or work schedules due to COVID-19 so that you continue receiving your benefits.
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Support for Other Needs is a Click or Call Away
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Legal Assistance Hotline for COVID-19 Questions
Individuals with questions of a legal nature should call the COVID-19 Legal Information Hotline at 1-800-332-0419. It was developed in partnership with Iowa Legal Aid, the Iowa State Bar Association and the Polk County Volunteer Lawyer Project. The hotline can assist Iowans with business and compliance issues, eviction, denial of unemployment benefits, employment issues and other personal legal concerns. You will be asked to leave a message and someone will return your call.
Help for Immigrant and International Individuals
United Way of Story County has
compiled a list of resources
for immigrant and international individual and families. Many resources do not require a social security number and some do not require a government ID card.
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Recipe
of the Week - Mac and Cheese
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Each week we'll pass along a recipe you can use to make delicious meals in your residence hall, apartment, or home microwave! This week: Mac & Cheese.
- 1 lb of elbow pasta
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 1 can evaporated milk
- 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded American cheese
- 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
- sprinkle of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne
- 1/4 cup butter
Add all ingredients into crock pot and cook on low heat for one hour. Stir and continue to check on your pasta to ensure it is fully cooked. It could take 2-3 hours. Enjoy!
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Prioritize Your Wellbeing
Now in Canvas, this course follows the Student Wellness Keep Community, Stay Informed and Be Well
information developed for you!
The course will have new activities, videos, and resources added every week for you to keep community, stay informed and be well.
Access the course in Canvas or via
this link - and remember, we're here for you!
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We're All in This Together!
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Student Wellness has partnered with the Department of Residence and ISU Dining to bring you a weekly newsletter filled with tips, activities and resources to help you stay healthy! Even though we aren't able to be with you in person, we're here to help you throughout the rest of the semester. To view past newsletters, look under the Stay Informed header
on this page
. Keep reading and look for this publication in your inbox every Wednesday - take care, Cyclones!
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Information brought to you by Student Health and Wellness
in partnership with the Department of Residence and ISU Dining.
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