Local COVID Resources

Local Resources

Free COVID-19 Vaccinations and Transportation

Anyone age six months and up may receive a free COVID-19 vaccination. Booster shots are available to those age five and up as well, five months after your initial second dose. Anyone age 12 and older (Pfizer) or 18 and older (Moderna) are eligible to receive a new bivalent booster that was updated to be more effective against new strains of the virus. Anyone age six months and older can receive the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.

Walk-in appointments are accepted at many sites. You may also visit ourshot.in.gov if you prefer to make an appointment or call 2-1-1 if you need assistance.

Indiana University Health is offering free rides to any COVID-19 vaccine site in the state. If you need transportation to your vaccine appointment, call 888-IUHEALTH (888-484-3258) and choose option 9. Learn more.

 

At-Home and PCR COVID-19 Tests

Your health insurance company will pay you back for up to eight at-home tests per month for each person on the plan. Learn more about insurance reimbursement.

Additionally, no-cost antigen and PCR COVID-⁠19 tests are available to everyone in the U.S., including the uninsured, at more than 20,000 sites nationwide. Find a nearby testing location.

 

Need Help? Call Indiana 2-1-1

For Hoosiers in need of help accessing local resources in Monroe County, Indiana 2-1-1 has a team of Community Navigators available to provide expert referrals to services in our community. 2-1-1 Community Navigators are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to assist you with a variety of resources such as food and clothing, mental health and addiction services, healthcare, housing and utility assistance, education and employment, parenting support, tax assistance, and more. Learn more.

 

Low-Cost, High-Speed Internet Access

Struggling to pay for internet service? The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a federal benefit program designed to help you afford the internet access you need for work, school, healthcare, and more. The federal program provides increased access to broadband internet and connected devices for qualifying income-eligible households. If your household is eligible, you can receive a monthly discount on your internet bill (up to $30 per month), and a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer through a participating provider. Check to see if you qualify, apply, and find a provider near you.

 

Student Loan Debt Relief and Forgiveness

Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Temporary Changes

If you are or have been employed by a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or nonprofit organization, you might be eligible for the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, or its temporary counterpart (TEPSLF). These programs forgive the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. Previously, many borrowers applied only to discover they were ineligible. However, now through October 31, 2022, many student loan borrowers who previously did not qualify may receive credit and qualify for past periods of repayment. Learn more about Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Student Loan Debt Relief

Federal student loan payments are paused through December 31, 2022. Payments will resume in January 2023. In addition, U.S. Department of Education will provide up to $20,000 in debt cancellation to Pell Grant recipients with loans held by the Department of Education and up to $10,000 in debt cancellation to non-Pell Grant recipients. Borrowers are eligible for this relief if their individual income is less than $125,000 or $250,000 for households. Learn more about student loan debt relief.

Loan Cancellation Through Borrower Defense

In a recent settlement, Sweet v. Cardona, federal student loan borrowers that attended technical institutes may be eligible for full loan cancellation. Borrowers must submit an application with information about how the institute they attended misled them, but the Department of Education has made clear that borrowers who attended one of the covered institutions may stand a reasonable chance of approval for student loan forgiveness. Learn more about Borrower Defense.

 

Teen Resources

This COVID-19 youth resource guide  is a good starting point to help teens through this unique time.

 

Resources for Survivors of Violence

We are committed to being a supportive voice for survivors of violence in Monroe County. Middle Way House remains open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is offering a new webchat resource to assist survivors without telephone access. Learn more about how to get help.

 

Community Access Television Services

Want to stay informed? Our television station, Community Access Television Services, telecasts five cable channels in Monroe County and provides live and archived coverage of councils, boards, and commissions, including the Mayor's weekly COVID-19 community press conference. Find a full lineup.

 

Bloomington Mask Drive: Free Masks

The Bloomington Mask Drive offers free reusable masks in the Downtown Library parking lot entrance vestibule and in other community locations. View a full location list.

 

Health Resources

We are committed to keeping you safe and informed. Visit these websites for current health information.

   
Updated September 16, 2022