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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Benefits

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Health Care
Covered CA is open for enrollment for documented residents for both Medi-Cal and Covered California plans. COVID-19 testing and treatment is provided at no cost to Medi-Cal members and to those on restricted scope Medi-Cal, which is open to income-qualifying undocumented residents. Undocumented residents can apply for restricted scope Medi-Cal through the Department of Social Services, mybenefitscalwin.org or through Hospital Based Presumptive Eligibility (hospital services are not necessary for HBPE). ​

There should be no prior authorization requirements for these services or for related prescription medications. Out-of-network access should be allowed. All Covered California plans and many private insurance plans (those regulated by the State) are also directed by the state to provide the same access to coronavirus services and medications.

The federal government confirmed that the new public charge rule will not consider testing and treatment for coronavirus even if Medi-Cal pays for it or a County program provides it. Please reassure immigrants that testing and treatment will not impact their immigration status.
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If you are a SLO County provider, contact us if you have any questions about these resources.
For more information: 
healthconsumer.org/covid19/

Food Assistance

On April 28, CA began allowing CalFresh EBT shopping online. Families can use their CalFresh EBT cards to purchase non-perishable groceries online and have items delivered. Download bilingual SLO County flyers with more information.

Unemployment Benefits
The State of California's Employment Development Department (EDD) has expanded existing benefits and created several new programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.


  1. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) - This is a new program created to cover workers such as self-employed persons, independent contractors, people with a limited work history, and other persons who are not covered by California's Unemployment Insurance, but is not available for undocumented workers (see linked resource). PUA is available for up to 46 weeks until December 31, 2020.      https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/pandemic-unemployment-assistance/faqs.htm
  2. Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) - This is a 13 week extension of Unemployment Insurance for workers who have used all the benefits available in their regular Unemployment Insurance claim. PEUC will be available until December 31, 2020. 
  3. Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program - This is a supplement to both the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Unemployment Insurance programs effective as of July 26, 2020. It provides a supplemental payment of $300 per week to persons who have a weekly benefit award of at least $100 and have certified that they are unemployed or partially unemployed due to COVID-19. https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/lost-wages-assistance.htm
  4. Unemployment Insurance (UI) Waiting Period - California has waived the usual 7 day waiting period.

The CA Employment Development Department (EDD) website has Coronavirus 2019 FAQs about Unemployment Insurance, State Disability Insurance, Paid Family Leave, and Paid Sick Leave: www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm 

COVID-19 and Family Earnings

Programs Summary

​There are four State of California Employment Development Department (EDD) programs to help workers impacted by COVID-19:
 
1. Sick or Quarantined? Disability Insurance Claims: If your client is unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), they can
 file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim. DI provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Benefit amounts are approximately 60%-70% of wages (depending on income). 
 
2. Caregiving? Paid Family Leave Claims: If your client is unable to work because they are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), they can
 file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim. PFL provides up to eight 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 or to bond with a new child. Benefit amounts are approximately 60%-70%of wages (depending on income).
 
3. Reduced Work Hours? Unemployment Insurance Claims: If your client's employer has reduced their hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, they can immediately
 file an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim. UI provides partial wage replacement benefit payments to workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced, through no fault of their own. An Executive Order by the Governor has waived the one-week unpaid waiting period so families can collect Unemployment Insurance benefits for the first week they are out of work. 

4. Self-employed? Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) is a new program designed to help self-employed people, independent contractors, unemployed business owners, and other workers not usually eligible for regular state Unemployment Insurance benefits who are out of business or whose work is significantly reduced as a direct result of the pandemic. Applicants who are not citizens must have legal authorization to work in the United States in order to qualify for PUA. For more details: 
https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/pandemic-unemployment-assistance/faqs.htm
 
For more information:

edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm
edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm

Employment Benefits Resources

​Legal Aid at Work is a statewide non-profit which provides legal consultations to low-income people about employment issues. Below is a link to a Legal Aid at Work's information about issues related to the coronavirus, including if workers experience discrimination related to the coronavirus COVID-19. Please note the disclaimer on the bottom of the fact sheet about providing legal advice. legalaidatwork.org/factsheet/coronavirus-faq/
 
If you are a SLO County provider, contact us if you have any questions about these resources.
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Updated 9/9/20

Looking for more SLO County COVID-19-related health information?

Learn more by clicking below:
  • Overview
  • Practical resources for families
  • Legal resources

Local Information Line

Dignity Health is providing a Community COVID-19 Hotline. 
Spanish: 805-614-5758
English: 805-332-8276

The lines are staffed Monday through Friday 8am - 8pm, 
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and weekends 8am - 4:30pm.  If calling after hours, leave a message and the call will be returned as soon as possible. For more information visit,
https://www.dignityhealth.org/central-coast/coronavirus
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Need Help?

Download the Family Resource Center Directory and contact the appropriate Family Resource Center for help from an advocate or other staff member.

Family Resource Centers can help with non-medical needs too, such as food, clothing, and shelter.


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