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COVID-19 Financial Resources

The State Controller’s Office has compiled the following resources for navigating financial concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response website for more information.

Individuals and Families

Taxes

  • State Personal Income Taxes: The Franchise Tax Board collects personal income taxes in California. The filing deadline for the 2019 tax year is July 15, 2020.
  • Federal Income Taxes: The Internal Revenue Service collects federal income taxes. The filing deadline for the 2019 tax year is July 15, 2020.
  • Property Taxes: The final date to pay the second of two annual property tax installments without penalties was April 10, 2020. Check with your county tax collector for additional information. Certain homeowners may qualify for the State Controller’s Property Tax Postponement program.

Employment

  • Assistance for Undocumented Adults​: Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants (DRAI) provides a one-time payment to undocumented adults who are ineligible for other forms of relief because of their immigration status.
  • Unemployment Insurance (UI): The Employment Development Department administers California UI benefits, which range from $40 to $450 weekly for workers who have been laid off, had hours reduced, or must miss work through no fault of their own (e.g., school closures). EDD will pay another $600 on top of the weekly benefit amount as part of the federal CARES Act.
  • Paid Leave: The Labor and Workforce Development Agency compiled a list of all paid leave benefits available to workers, including several programs for people who are unable to work due to COVID-19 illness or caregiving for someone due to COVID-19 impact.
  • Finding Work: OnwardCA is a new coalition of government, tech companies, businesses, colleges, and universities linking Californians with work opportunities after job loss due to COVID-19.

Health Care

  • Free Medical Advice: Medi-Nurse is California’s free advice line that can connect you with a nurse to talk about COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Affordable Health Insurance: Covered California connects Californians with brand-name health insurance under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. A special enrollment period is open for people who need coverage due to the effects of COVID-19.
  • Low-Cost or Free Health Care: Medi-Cal is the state version of federal Medicaid, a public health insurance program that provides low-cost or free health services for low-income individuals and families.

Food and Nutrition

  • Food Benefits for Children: Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) benefits help families in California buy food when school is closed. Children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school will get extra food benefits. ​
  • Food Banks: Food banks distribute food to local pantries and residents. The California Department of Social Services compiled a county-by-county list of food banks.
  • Food Assistance Finder: The California Association of Food Banks offers food assistance resources searchable by ZIP code.
  • Meals for Kids: Many school districts are continuing to provide meals to children. The California Department of Education offers an app to find meals during school closures.

Housing

  • Renters: The State of California issued a moratorium on residential evictions for renters who cannot pay their rent due to COVID-19-related hardships, effective March 27 through May 31, 2020.​
  • Homeowners: The State of California secured agreements from many financial institutions to provide mortgage-payment forbearances of up to 90 days beginning March 16, 2020. The state also issued a moratorium on home foreclosure sales or evictions for 60 days beginning March 16, 2020.
  • Hotel Rooms for Health Care Workers: The Non-Congregate Sheltering for California Healthcare Workers program was created to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Eligible employees can stay near their workplace at a participating hotel for free or at a discount.

Small Businesses

State Assistance

  • Tax Relief: The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration is providing relief and extensions for filing business tax returns.
  • Business Loans: The California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank is providing $50 million in disaster loan guarantees to small businesses (with up to 750 employees) that do not qualify for federal loans.
  • Unemployment Benefits: As part of the federal CARES Act, EDD is providing Pandemic Unemployment Assistance to unemployed Californians who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, or who have limited work history or not usually eligible for regular state UI benefits, and who are out of business or have significantly reduced services as a direct result of COVID-19. 

U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) Assistance

  • SBA Paycheck Protection Program: PPP is a forgivable loan program to help businesses keep their workforces employed during the COVID-19 crisis.
  • SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan: The EIDL program provides up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are experiencing temporary difficulties due to COVID-19.
  • SBA Express Bridge Loans: EBL is a pilot program available to small businesses that have a current relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 in expedited SBA-guaranteed financing.
  • SBA Debt Relief: SBA is offering debt relief options to small businesses who have an existing loan through SBA.
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