Several weeks ago, the California Legislature appropriated $1.1 billion in emergency funding to increase hospital capacity, ensure healthcare coverage, provide resources for our first responders, and to secure medical support, including in-home care.
Make no mistake—this is a crisis. But we will get through it together.
For those of you who are struggling with the impacts of the crisis, please know that there is a growing list of resources help address your unique challenges and needs. Please contact my staff for any assistance with these or other resources.
California Mortgage Relief Program
The state has launched the California Mortgage Relief Program to provide a one-time grant to qualified homeowners who have fallen behind on their housing payments. Using $1 billion in federal funds, the grants help homeowners who had a financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic by covering missed housing payments. Assistance provided through this program is not a loan and does not need to be paid back.
Unlike previous mortgage assistance programs, the California Mortgage Relief Program offers assistance to qualified homeowners and the assistance does not have to be paid back. It is a one-time grant to catch up homeowners who have fallen behind on their housing payments due to pandemic-related financial hardships.
Homeowners can apply online today at www.CaMortgageRelief.org. If you have questions, please contact 1-888-840-2594 or email info@camortgagerelief.org.
Telephone Town Hall Resources
Small Business Relief
Utility Assistance
Resources for People with Disabilities
Senior Resources
Click here for Local Resources
Employment
The Employment Development Department (EDD)
EDD provides a variety of support services to people who have lost their jobs or have had their hours reduced due to the impacts of COVID-19 in California.
https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm
Immigrant Resources
Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs.
Those concerned with how the COVID-19 pandemic relates to their immigration status or their necessary immigrant services can seek may assistance from the Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs
https://oia.lacounty.gov/coronavirus-updates/
Census
The United States Census is taking place now, in 2020.
California counts when you are counted. Billions in federal aid are dependent on an accurate count of everyone.
Disability Resources
The Disabled Resource Center
The DRC will continue to offer their programs virtually, including but not limited to: information and assistance on self-advocacy and public entitlements (like SSI, SSDI, Medi-Cal, and Medicare) and assistance in benefit applications and appeals. They also offer housing services and employment services.
Telephone: (562) 427-1000
https://drcinc.org/contact-us/
The State Council on Developmental Disability
The State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is established by state and federal law as an independent state agency to ensure that people with developmental disabilities and their families receive the services and supports they need.
English: https://scdd.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2020/03/ENG-SA-Coronavirus-q-and-a-plain-language-SA-3-18-20.pdf (this covers information about Day Programs, Job loss, Support Services, and important contacts)
For those advocating on behalf of a family member’s disability:
California Department of Public Health
Guidance for people with disabilities and caregivers: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/CDPH%20Document%20Library/COVID-19/guidance-for-individuals-with-access-and-functional-needs-03122020.pdf
Family Voices of California
Offers advice about what families of children with special health care needs can do, and links to reliable resources. http://www.familyvoicesofca.org/
Disability Voices United
Offers information and trainings to parents statewide. http://www.disabilityvoicesunited.org/cv
Disability Rights California
Disability Rights California has a dedicated COVID-19 page and the ability to take intake through our website www.disabilityrightsca.org and you can click on the box that says "short term assistance request form" if you are having a problem and would like us to help you. https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/post/announcement-coronavirus-and-howdisability-rights-california-can-help-you
Down Syndrome Information Alliance
Down Syndrome Information Alliance offers health and e-learning resources. http://downsyndromeinfo.org/covid-19-resources/
National Down Syndrome Conference (NDSC)
National Down Syndrome Conference (NDSC) has gathered and vetted many sources and resources to help families, and the professionals who serve them, as we all work to flatten the curve. https://www.ndsccenter.org/programsresources/covid-19-resources/?blm_aid=12026880
Autism Speaks
Autism Speaks information and resources regarding COVID-19. https://www.autismspeaks.org/covid-19-informationand-resources
Health Insurance
CA Department of Insurance
The Department of Insurance consumer hotline 1-800-927-4357 continues to be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help California consumers and businesses with their urgent insurance issues and answer any pertinent questions.
Covered California
If you have recently lost your employer-sponsored health coverage, you can enroll into a health plan through Covered California. Those who lose their employer-sponsored coverage have 60 days before and 60 days after the date of their coverage loss to come to Covered California and select a new health insurance plan. Once you’ve signed up with Covered California, your coverage can begin on the first day of the following month.
Small Business
U.S. Small Business Administration
Small Businesses can apply to SBA disaster loans online through: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
Technical Providers
Several technical assistance providers are available to help constituents walk through the process of preparing loan packages for the SBA disaster loan funds and other loans that may be made available:
- LBCC SBDC: https://longbeachsbdc.org 213-580-7587
- Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (need not be Pacific Asian to get help): https://pacela.org/ 213-353-3982
- California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (statewide service): https://www.cmtc.com/ ; 310-263-3060
- Asian Pacific Islander Women’s Business Center (need not be a female or Asian Pacific Islander to get help): https://www.apisbp.org/womens-business-center.html; 213-473-1605
Other resources for small businesses:
Los Angeles County Business Resource Guide https://wdacs.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID19_EMPLOYER_GUIDELINES_REVISED.pdf?utm_content=&utm_medium=email&utm_name=&utm_source=govdelivery&utm_term
Opportunity Fund:
Truck drivers who were self- employed over the last 12 months can get assistance from the Opportunity Fund: https://www.opportunityfund.org/
Ifundwomen:
Ifundwomen also is offering grants to small businesses, all of which have deadlines soon. They also provide expertise on how to effectively crowdfund for your business. https://ifundwomen.com/
Small Business Majority:
Small Business Majority is providing resources from EDD for unemployment for employees and other services that employers can offer to employees: https://smallbusinessmajority.org/
Lendistry.com:
Lendistry.com is also providing low interest loans and SBA disaster loan assistance.
The virtual business recovery center:
The virtual business recovery center will walk small business owners through any questions that they have about the SBA disaster loan process. They can be reached at 1-800-659-2955.
The Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development, and the Economy (JEDE):
JEDE is putting out regularly updated information on resources: Https://ajed.assembly.ca.gov