COVID-19 Resources
Resources During the COVID-19 Crisis
Unemployment Insurance
· If you have lost your job, or had your hours reduced because of the COVID-19 Crisis, you may be able to partially recover your wages by filling out an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim. Employees may file a UI claim here: https://edd.ca.gov/unemployment/
Unemployment Insurance provides payment of part of one’s wages to workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced through no fault of their own. Workers who are temporarily unemployed due to COVID-19 and expected to return to work with their employer within a few weeks are not required to look for work each week. However, they must remain able, available, and ready to work during their unemployment for each week of benefits claimed, as well as meet all other eligibility criteria. Eligible individuals can receive benefits that range from $40 -$450 per week. The Governor's Executive Order allows you to collect Unemployment Insurance benefits for the first week you are out of work.
· If you can’t go to work because you have no one to care for your children while schools are closed and your children are home, and you cannot work remotely (from a computer at home), you may be able to collect Unemployment Insurance benefits. You may file a claim at: https://edd.ca.gov/unemployment/
EDD representatives will decide if you are eligible.
Disability
· If you have (or have been exposed to) COVID-19, and this has been certified by a doctor, you may file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim: https://edd.ca.gov/Disability/.
Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income), and range from $50 -$1,300 per week.
Paid Family Leave (PFL)
· If you are unable to work because you are caring for a sick or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you may file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim here:
https://edd.ca.gov/Disability/How_to_File_a_PFL_Claim_in_SDI_Online.htm/tblank
You may also use paid sick leave in accordance with the law. PFL provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member. Benefit amounts are approximately 60 -70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50 -$1,300 a week.
Waiving* Late Fees (*= you don’t have to pay late fees)
· Verizon will waive late fees that residential or small business customers have because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus. https://www.verizon.com/about/news/update-verizon-serve-customers-covid-19
Verizon will not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of they cannot pay their bills due to the coronavirus.
· Southern California Edison announced that it is will stop service disconnections for nonpayment and will waive late fees, effective immediately, for residential and business customers impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. https://www.sce.com/safety/coronavirus
· Southern California Gas Company will waive late fees for businesses if a business’ financial hardships are due to COVID-19, contact So Cal Gas for more information. https://socalgas.com/coronavirus
Housing
· Multiple low-income buildings are currently accepting applications. You can complete the process online and be placed on numerous waiting lists at once at:
http://www.hacla.org/apply-public-housing/applyforph
Homeless Resources
· Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) COVID-19 Guidance for the Los Angeles County Homeless Services Community: https://www.lahsa.org/news?article=671-covid-19-guidance-for-los-angeles-county-homeless-services-community
This guide provides a list of links to updates on COVID-19 and other helpful resources and guides. The LAHSA guide is updated daily.
For Families with Children
· Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Resource Guide: Available at https://achieve.lausd.net/resources , this guide includes an interactive map to assist families in locating the closest Grab & Go Food Center and has resources for educational activities for children.
· Coming Together: The Alliance for Children's Rights put together a website with various resources throughout Los Angeles County for youth and their families to access and seamlessly navigate needed services and programs. Please visit: https://kids-alliance.org/covid-19/ for more information.
· For advice on how to talk to your children about COVID-19, go to “10 Tips for Talking to Your Kids about COVID-19”: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/10-tips-for-talking-about-covid-19-with-your-kids
· Museum Virtual Tours: Keep yourself and your family entertained with virtual visits to the 12 museums listed here: https://hellogiggles.com/news/museums-with-virtual-tours/
· Scholastic is offering free, online learning experiences for kids of all ages: https://classroommagazines.scholastic.com/support/learnathome.html
· LA County Library has many digital resources you can access 24/7, no matter where you are. All you need is your library card number and PIN. Don’t have a Library card? Sign up for a Digital Library Card online that will give you access to all of the Library’s digital offerings, including eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, movies, TV, homework help, online classes, and more: Sign up at: https://colapl.wufoo.com/forms/ztns1cw0q78qml/
Assistance with Food
· CalFresh (food stamps) has unused funds and are urging all in need to apply. The application process is easy and fast and can be completed online at: · http://dpss.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpss/main/programs-and-services/calfresh/!ut/p/b0/04_Sj9CPykssy0xPLMnMz0vMAfGjzOLdDAwM3P2dgo0MXM0cDRz9g70MQy28DYNNDfQLsh0VAVEVGhU!/
Evictions
· LA County officials have implemented an eviction moratorium (this means that you CANNOT be evicted) on all no-fault residential and commercial evictions in LA County for the period March 4, 2020, through May 31, 2020. No landlord can evict a commercial tenant in the City of Los Angeles during this local emergency period if the tenant is able to show an inability to pay rent due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tenants will have six months after the end of the emergency proclamation to pay for lost rent.
· If you live in LA county and are being evicted because you can’t pay rent due to COVID-19:
1. Inner City Law Center: Potential new clients who are facing possible eviction at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse at 111 N. Hill Street should email evictions@innercitylaw.org. Inner City Law Center will make every effort to reply to your email within two business days. Current Inner City Law Center clients should dial the main line at (213) 891-2880, dial the extension of the attorney or paralegal who is helping you with your case, and leave a voice message.
2. Shriver Project: Potential clients whose case is at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse can call (818)485-0576 or email ShriverSHpublic@nlsla.org (8:30am-12pm and 1-4pm Monday through Thursday; 8:30am-12pm Friday).
3. Neighborhood Legal Services Los Angeles: Potential new clients should contact the Neighborhood Legal Services General Help Line at 1-800-433-6251. The help line is open between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Current Neighborhood Legal Services clients should contact the staff member who has been helping you.
Mental and Physical Health, Coping with Stress
· Department of Mental Health COVID-19 Resource Guide—a list of many different resources you can use if you are feeling depressed, anxious, worried, stressed: https://dmh.lacounty.gov/covid-19-information/
· Core Power Yoga – Free Yoga: https://www.corepoweryogaondemand.com/keep-up-your-practice
· UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center—Free Guided Meditation (in English and Spanish): https://www.uclahealth.org/marc/mindful-meditations