COVID - 19 UPDATE
COVID-19 vaccines are available for all South Carolinians 16 years old and older regardless of health conditions.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control and the United States Centers for Disease Control stress that all the COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and free. They reduce your risk of getting the virus, particularly in severe forms. It is recommended that you get the first one you can schedule.
- The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two shots, 21- and 28-days apart respectively. Don’t leave your first appointment without knowing when and where you’ll get your second shot.
- The Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine requires a single shot.
- Only the Pfizer vaccine is approved for those 16-18.
- All the vaccines are approved for 18 and up.
TO FIND A VACCINE LOCATION:
Go to the website: https://vaxlocator.dhec.sc.gov/ or call the SCDHEC Vaccination Line at:
1-866-365-8110
Everyday between 7am – 7pm
Those wanting to get the vaccine can also call any store with a pharmacy to see if it has vaccines available.
COVID – 19 FUNERAL ASSISTANCE
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
How to Apply
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number
Applications begin on April 12, 2021
844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time
Call this dedicated toll-free phone number to get a COVID-19 Funeral Assistance application completed with help from FEMA's representatives. Multilingual services will be available.
Get answers to frequently asked questions about the application process on our Funeral Assistance FAQ page.
If you use a relay service, such as your videophone, Innocaption or CapTel, please provide your specific number assigned to that service. It is important that FEMA is able to contact you, and you should be aware phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number.
Who is Eligible?
To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet these conditions:
- The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
- The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
- The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.
- There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.
How are Funds Received
If you are eligible for funeral assistance you will receive a check by mail, or funds by direct deposit, depending on which option you choose when you apply for assistance.
Emergency Rental Assistance
Assistance with rent and various other expenses negatively impacted by the coronavirus are also available. Households are eligible for emergency rental assistance if one or more individuals in the household meet the following criteria: (1) has qualified for unemployment benefits or can attest in writing that he or she has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experience other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the pandemic; (2) can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and (3) has a household income below 80% area median income.
Emergency rental assistance can potentially cover up to 12 months’ arrears (but not before March 13, 2020) with an additional three months moving forward if necessary to ensure housing stability.
Payments will be made directly to landlords or utility companies on behalf of renters.
If someone is in need of assistance, please contact any of the following agencies:
- Middle Tyger Community Center
864-439-7760 www.middletyger.org
- Spartanburg Housing (formerly Spartanburg Housing Authority)
864-598-6054 www.spartanburghousing.org
- United Way of the Piedmont
864-582-7556 www.uwpiedmont.org/covidrelief
- Upstate Family Resource Center
864-578-1379 www.upstatefrc.org
**Note that mortgage assistance is also available. Please call the Upstate Family Resource Center for more information.**
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