The 31st District Digest (July 6 to July 10)

July 11, 2020

The 31st District Digest (July 6 to July 10)

 

Over the last couple of weeks, our County and state has experienced a significant rise in COVID-19 cases. With each new report of record cases, increasing hospitalization and ICU utilization, we must remind ourselves to take all necessary precautions to protect our collective health and well-being. Small actions can save lives. We all have a part to play in slowing the spread of COVID-19.

 

For up-to-date information on California’s COVID-19 Response, visit https://covid19.ca.gov/

For up-to-date information on Riverside County’s COVID-19 Response, visit https://www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus

 

Here are updates for the week:
 

REMINDER: July 15 is Tax Day (link)

A gentle reminder that Wednesday, July 15 the last day to file your 2019 taxes. Consequently, Wednesday, July 15, is also the last day to claim the California Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC), for qualified low-to-moderate income working Californians. If you qualify for the CalEITC, you may be eligible for the Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC), which provides qualifying families with children under the age of six with an additional $1,000.
 

For more information on CalEITC, click here

For more information on COVID-19 special tax relief and assistance, click here (Spanish).
 

Riverside County Updates

REMINDER: Riverside County residents are encouraged to get tested for COVID-19, regardless of age, the presence of symptoms, or insurance status.
 

To make an appointment, visit http://www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus/testing. Residents can also call 800-945-6171, seven days a week between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m.

 
COVID-19 Contact Tracing: Riverside County Needs your Help (link) (Spanish)

Riverside County Health officials are asking COVID-19 patients to work with health investigators to slow the spread of COVID-19. This collaboration is vital to helping the County track the movement of this virus and take necessary steps to slow its movement. As per the County's statement, the information that is gathered is not shared with other governmental agencies or with those who are contacted by case investigators.


County Services will be Virtual beginning Monday, July 13 (link) (Spanish)

Beginning Monday, July 13, the County Administrative Center, along with several other County buildings will close to the public in response to the growing number of local COVID-19 cases. County services will remain available by phone or online through the various Department websites.
 

Riverside County Cool Centers offering Relief from the Heat (link) (Spanish)

As we begin summer, Riverside County has opened 15 no-cost cool centers for community members looking to escape the heat. For a list of cool centers near you, click here.

 
Riverside Superior Court Restores Services for Traffic Matters (link)

Effective Monday, July 6, 2020, the Riverside Superior Court resumed processing traffic matters, except for those that require a hearing. The public can schedule a Traffic Phone Appointment with a clerk to obtain information and get assistance resolving a traffic ticket. Click here to schedule an appointment online.
 

Additionally, the Court will be extending the closures of the Corona, Moreno Valley, Temecula and Hemet locations, as well as the Riverside Self-Help Center and the Riverside Records Center from July 13 through July 24. For more information, click here.

 
 

Local and State Resources
 

Renter’s Assistance Programs

UNITED LIFT: Rental Assistance Program for People impacted by COVID-19 (link) (Spanish)
United Way of the Inland Valleys, Lift to Rise, and the County of Riverside have partnered to provide rental assistance to households impacted by COVID-19. The program will administer $33 million in rental assistance between the months of June and November. The next application window will be July 15 through July 25.

For more information and FAQs, click here (Spanish)

To apply, click here.
 
 

Small Business Resources and Grants

July is California for All Small Business Month (link)

On Wednesday, Governor Newsom issued a proclamation declaring July as “California for All Small Business Month” and launched a new campaign encouraging Californians to help small businesses in their communities operate safely during the pandemic. To learn what resources are available to small business owners, click here.

 

RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Small Business Grant Funding Applications Open Monday with Broader Eligibility (link)

Eligibility for Riverside County’s COVID-19 Business Assistance Grant Program has been expanded to include sole proprietors, as well as businesses that have received an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan or advance as part of the grant program’s second application round. The deadline to apply is Monday, August 31, 2020 at 6:00pm.
 

Eligible businesses may receive up to $10,000 in assistance towards specified uses, including payroll, mortgage, inventory, working capital, and increasing technological capabilities.
 

For a full list of requirements for eligibility, applicable uses for grant funding, or to apply, click here.

 

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: Microenterprise Business Grant Program (link)

Businesses in the City of Riverside are encouraged to apply for the Microenterprise Business Grant Program, which is designed to provide relief during COVID-19. These grants, up to $7,500, are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To be eligible, businesses must have fewer than five employees, a valid business license, and be low or moderate income. When filling out the application, be sure to have your business license, insurance, and proof of income ready.
 

To apply, click here.

 
CITY OF PERRIS: Small Business Assistance Program (link)

The City of Perris has a local Small Business Assistance Program, offering up to $10,000 loans to qualifying businesses. Loans will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
 

To apply or to find more information, click here.
 

CITY OF JURUPA VALLEY: Local Economic Assistance Program (LEAP) (link)

The City of Jurupa Valley has a new program to provide grants to small and micro-enterprise businesses in the city that have been economically impacted by COVID-19. The application period will close at 4:00 PM on July 23, 2020.
 

For program guidelines, click here.

To apply, click here
 

CITY OF MORENO VALLEY: Forward MoVal Small Business Grant (link)

The City of Moreno Valley has Forward MoVal Small Business Grant Program to support small businesses and stimulate the local economy through job growth and retention during the time COVID-19.
 

To see if your business qualifies for assistance, click here.
 
 

Nonprofit Assistance

RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Nonprofit Assistance Fund (link)

The Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) was awarded CARES Act funds from the Board of Supervisors to administer the Riverside County Nonprofit Assistance Fund, in partnership with the Riverside County Homeless Solutions and Workforce Department and the Inland Empire Funder’s Alliance. Eligible nonprofits can receive grants of up to $10,000 to assist with their operating expenses and costs associated with loss of revenue due to COVID-19.
 

Applications close Friday, July 31, 2020.

To get more information or to apply, click here.
 
 

Food Resources

P-EBT: Food Assistance for Families with Children Eligible for Free or Reduced-Price Meals (link) (Spanish)

Families with children eligible for free or reduced-price meals may qualify for extra food benefits of up to $365 per eligible child in the form of Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer or P-EBT, while their school is closed due to COVID-19. 
 

Families with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals and who do NOT get CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or Foster Care benefits must apply online before July 15, 2020. Applications can be found here.

 
 

Health Resources

Covered CA Special Enrollment Period (link)

If you lack income because your hours were cut or if you are no longer working, you may be eligible for low or no-cost coverage through plans offered through Covered California. A special-enrollment period is underway that allows you to enroll in a health plan until July 31, 2020.

For more information, click here.
 

As we enter another weekend into our response to COVID-19, I hope that these resources will help you and your loved ones navigate the road ahead. My office remains open and dedicated to ensuring that the needs of our district are being met. If you have any questions about these or any other resources or state departments, please do not hesitate to give us a call. Together, we can be resilient in the face of the challenges that our community is experiencing.

Until we meet again, please have a safe, happy, and healthy weekend!
 
Very Sincerely,
 
RICHARD D. ROTH
Senator, 31st District