Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
BenefitsBenefits update, April 10, 2020
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. If you are a SLO County provider, contact us if you have any questions about these resources. For more information: healthconsumer.org/covid19/ Cash Assistance The one-time stimulus payments are in the amounts of $1,200 for adults and $500 for dependent children, for individual taxpayers with income under $75,000 in 2019. All people in the household must have valid Social Security Numbers (not ITINs) in order to receive stimulus payments. Since these payments are considered tax credits, which are not to be considered for the public charge test, they have no negative impact. FAQs about stimulus checks: English - https://files.mail-list.com/f/pben/COVID-19-Stimulus-Check-Eng.pdf Spanish - https://files.mail-list.com/f/pben/COVID-19-Stimulus-Check-SPN.pdf 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. All persons regardless of their immigration status are eligible for Pandemic EBT (P-EBT). This is a new program created to help feed children eligible for Free or Reduced Price school meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's completely separate from CalFresh. This one-time benefit of $365 per child that can be used for food, like a CalFresh EBT card.
Unemployment Benefits
Two new federal laws responding to the COVID-19 pandemic expand several current benefits and establish new programs, some of which the State of California's Employment Development Department (EDD) is still in the process of implementing. Four important changes being enacted:
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 EarningsPrograms SummaryThere 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 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 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. Last week's Governor's Executive Order waives 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 ResourcesLegal 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. Updated 5/12/20 |
Looking for more SLO County COVID-19-related health information?
Learn more by clicking below:
Local Information LineDignity 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, 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 
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. |