Californians — How to Get Economic Help for COVID-19
By: Jim Rettew
Tags: Help, Coronavirus, Business, California, Covid 19

Along with causing a public health crisis, COVID-19 is also causing an economic crisis. There are lots of resources out there, but it’s hard to know where to look. We’ve tried to do the leg work for you. If we’re missing anything, please leave a comment!

If you need help for your business or nonprofit, click on this link.

Employment

Unemployment Insurance

You should apply if:

Your hours were reduced due to the quarantine.

You were separated from your employer during the quarantine.

You are subject to a quarantine required by a medical professional or state or local health officer.

You rely on a school, a day care or another facility to care for a child, elderly parent or another household member so that you can work.

NOTE: this includes independent contractors, the self-employed, and gig workers.

You may qualify for an extra $600 a week, for a maximum of $1,050 a week, for up to 39 weeks.

Apply here.

Disability

You are eligible to file a disability claim if you’re unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional).

Benefit amounts are approximately 60–70% of wages.

Apply here.

Workers Comp

If you are unable to do your usual job because you were exposed to and contracted COVID-19 during the regular course of your work, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

Temporary disability generally pays two-thirds of the gross wages.

To file a claim, talk to your HR department or go here.

Sick Leave

For employees of companies with less than 500 people, you’re entitled to two weeks of paid sick leave. This is 10 days total, not in addition to your regular sick leave.

You do not have to have the coronavirus to get the benefit. The two weeks of paid sick leave apply to anyone told to quarantine, showing symptoms, exposed to the virus or trying to get a test or preventive care.

The benefits are in place for a year.

Companies will be able to deduct the cost from their payroll tax.

If you’re self employed, you can deduct the cost from next year’s income taxes.

To apply, submit your request through your HR department.

Family & Medical Leave

FMLA has been expanded to parents who need to care for children out of school. You can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim here.

Note: if you have to care for a sick family member, Californians can qualify for 6–8 weeks of paid family leave. File a claim here.

Emergency Funds

Direct Payments to Individuals and Families

If your adjusted gross income for 2018 or 2019 was less than $75,000, you will get $1,200 per adult and $500 per child (under 18 years old) in your household. Thresholds and payments are doubled for couples. Payments will decrease as your income gets closer to $99,000 per year per adult. Above $99,000, you will likely not receive a payment.

If you haven’t submitted your 2019 tax return yet, the IRS will use your 2018 return. If your income for 2019 was less than 2018 and would qualify you for a check, then you should file your taxes immediately.

If the Internal Revenue Service already has your bank account information, it will transfer the money to you via direct deposit. Otherwise, it will mail you a check.

Retirements Funds

For the calendar year 2020, no one will have to take a required minimum distribution from any individual retirement accounts or workplace retirement savings plans, like a 401(k). That way, you aren’t forced to sell investments that may have fallen in value, which would lock in losses.

You can withdraw up to $100,000 this year without the usual 10 percent penalty, as long as it’s because of the outbreak. You will need to pay it back to your retirement accounts in three years.

Healthcare

COVID-19 Testing is Free

Get the test if you need it. You won’t have to pay for it (but, most likely, you will need a doctor referral)

If you have health insurance, your insurer will cover the copay.

If you don’t have health insurance, the federal government will cover the copay.

Health Insurance

Covered California has opened a special enrollment. If you have recently lost your job or had your hours cut because of coronavirus, you can sign up for health insurance at http://CoveredCA.com.

HSAs

Menstrual products are now eligible for HSA reimbursements.

Housing

Mortgage Holiday

Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase, US Bank, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America — in addition to over 40 other federal and state-chartered banks, credit unions, and servicers — will offer a mortgage-payment holiday of up to 90 days, and longer if you need it.

Contact your lender to take advantage of this offer.

Financial institutions will not start any foreclosure sales or evictions.

Evictions

You cannot be evicted for non-payment through May 31. Tenants must provide a notice in writing to landlords if they cannot pay rent. See the Governor’s notice here.

Energy Bills

If you need help paying for gas and electric bills, apply for aid here.

PG&E, SMUD, Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric, and Pacific Power will not shut off customers’ power for non-payment as the coronavirus continues to disrupt daily life.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, which is the nation’s largest municipal utility, will not shut off power or water for non-paying customers for the foreseeable future.

Low Cost Internet

Low income families may qualify for broadband internet for as low as $5-$10 a month. If you currently receive any government assistance, you most likely qualify. See the following resources:

Comcast: Apply at https://www.internetessentials.com/. Comcast Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots are also open and free to use by anyone.

ATT: Apply at https://www.att.com/shop/internet/access/#!/.

Food

For Individuals

There is additional funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Apply at GetCalFresh.org for general food assistance.

The federal government is providing $450 million to supply food banks. Visit your local food bank for help. To see a list of food banks in your areas, click here. To get help, volunteer, or donate, click here.

There is also additional funding for local ‘meals-on-wheels’ programs. Contact your local organization for help.

Families with Kids

Ask your school for guidance. They may have resources lined up already.

Low-income pregnant women or women with children under five who lose their jobs or are laid off should apply at https://m.wic.ca.gov/ or call 1–888–942–9675.

Taxes

Tax Filing

The deadline to file taxes has been extended to July 15, 2020.

Tax Deductions

The bill makes a new deduction available — and not just for 2020 — for up to $300 in annual charitable contributions. It’s available only to people who don’t itemize their deductions, and you calculate this by subtracting the amount you give from your gross income.

To qualify, you have to give cash to a qualified charity and not to a donor-advised fund.

Other Benefits

Real ID

The deadline to obtain a REAL ID, a federally mandated identification that will be needed for passengers to board aircraft, will be extended until at least September 2021 — one year past the current deadline.

Student Loans (federal)

You do not need to make payments between now and September 30, 2020.

Evacuations

The federal government has allocated $324 million for the State Department to evacuate Americans from other countries. See https://www.state.gov/coronavirus/ for updates and resources.

Legal

For a comprehensive list of legal resources, please click on Legal Link.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a handy chart that summarizes the benefits above, as well as requirements, scroll to the bottom of the page at:

https://www.labor.ca.gov/coronavirus2019/#chart.

Or go to:

https://www.covid19.ca.gov

For all these programs, there are so many requirements being waived or reduced that if you come close to qualifying, you should apply anyway even if they don’t meet the strict income requirements on the state’s website.