The 31st District Digest (February 16 to February 19)

  • Printer-friendly version
February 20, 2021

The 31st District Digest (February 16 to February 19)

California COVID-19 Relief Package (link)

On Wednesday, the Governor and the CA State Legislature jointly announced that an agreement had been reached on a package of immediate actions that will provide needed relief to individuals, families, and small businesses experiencing significant economic hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic. Key Provisions of this agreement include:

  • Support and Direct Relief to Individuals and Families
    • The Golden State Stimulus Plan – provides $600 in direct relief payments to low-income Californians, as well as those unfairly excluded from previous federal stimulus payments.
    • Additional funding for financial assistance and services through Housing for Harvest, supporting California’s farmworkers and their families.
    • Additional funding for food banks and diapers.
  • Expanded Relief to Small Businesses
    • A four-fold increase in grants for small businesses and nonprofits impacted by the pandemic
  • Fee Waivers for Most Impacted Licensees
    • Two years of fee relief for roughly 59,000 restaurants and bars licensed through the California Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control
  • More Resources for Critical Child Care
    • Adds just over $400 million in new federal funds that will provide stipends of $525 per enrolled child for all state-subsidized child care and preschool providers serving approximately 400,000 children in subsidized care statewide.
  • Support and Relief for Community College, UC, and CSU Students
    • An additional $100 million in emergency financial aid for qualifying Community College Students carrying six or more units.
    • Funding to support outreach and application assistance to income-eligible higher education students for Cal Fresh benefits.

 

With the agreement reached, the final package is expected to pass through the Legislature and be signed by the Governor in the coming week. The relief and support provided by this package is an important step forward in our statewide recovery from the effects of COVID-19, but our work is not over. As you may have heard, there have been many promising conversations this week bringing us closer to a substantive school reopening plan with the funding needed to maintain our top priorities of health, safety, and equity.

I will continue to update you as more details become available on the rollout of these new resources and relief programs. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office so that we may connect you to the support you and your loved ones need.

 

EDD: 1099G Tax Information (link)

On Tuesday, the CA Employment Development Dept. (EDD) launched their new Form 1099G Information Center to help Californians prepare their tax returns for the 2020 filing year. 

  • To visit the Form 1099G Information Center, click here.
  • For answers to frequently asked questions about the Form 1099G, click here.

 

COVID-19 Vaccine First and Second Doses (link)

Riverside County has continued to make progress in its vaccine distribution plan with an emphasis on community members age 65 and older. If you fall within this focused age group or have been identified as an essential worker within Phase 1A (all Tiers) through Phase 1B (Tier 1), please visit Riverside County Vaccine Page to make an appointment at the earliest availability.

 

If you have already received your first dose from a county-administered vaccine clinic, county health officials will contact you to set up an appointment for your second dose. To see which groups have already been notified, click here.

 

REMINDER:  CDC guidelines allow up to 42 days for a second dose with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine and due in part to the limited vaccine supply, it may not be possible to get a second dose at the 21- or 28-day mark originally recommended. Guidelines also recommend that your second dose should be from the same manufacturer as the first. For example, if your first dose was a Pfizer vaccine, then your second dose should also be a Pfizer vaccine.

 

  • To visit Riverside County’s COVID-19 Vaccine Website, click here.
  • To subscribe to the Riverside County Public Health/COVID-19 Newsletter, click here.
  • Follow Riverside University Health System – Public Health on Social Media for the latest updates and announcements on the release of upcoming vaccine appointments
  • If you are a senior and need assistance to schedule an appointment, please call the Riverside County Office of Aging at 1-800-510-2020 or call 2-1-1
  • For information on Frequently Asked Questions and CDC Facts about the COVID-19 Vaccine, click here.
  • For information on Riverside County’s COVID-19 Response, visit www.rivcoph.org/coronavirus.
  • For more on California’s Vaccine Plan, click here.

 

 

Friendly Reminders

FREE COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 testing is free at county- and state-run testing sites and available to anyone, regardless of insurance or immigration status, or the onset of symptoms.

  • To make an appointment for COVID-19 testing through Riverside County, visit gettested.ruhealth.org or call (800) 945-6171.
  • To make an appointment for COVID-19 testing through the state, visit lhi.care/covidtesting or call (888) 634-1123.

 

Additionally, the Cities of Riverside, Corona, Moreno Valley, and Jurupa Valley have partnered with Curative to provide no-cost, self-administered, drive-up tests that are open to all, including those who live outside of the city. Test recipients can expect results as early as 24 hours by text message or email.

  • To make an appointment or to find locations for COVID-19 testing through Curative, visit curative.com

 

NOTE: It is important to remember that a negative test result does not absolve us of the need to wear a mask, practice safe social distancing, and stay home, especially if we exhibit symptoms similar to COVID-19. Consulting your doctor can help ensure that your symptoms can be managed or if another test may be recommended. If you are uninsured or have Medi-Cal but do not have a primary care doctor, California has launched an advice line that can connect you with a nurse, day or night, to talk about COVID-19 symptoms and can help you connect with local resources in our community. 

  • Call the Medi-Nurse Line at (877) 409-9052 or click here for more information


LIFESTREAM: URGENT NEED! Donate Blood Today! (link)

Giving blood is an simple way to become an everyday hero, particularly as LifeStream Blood Bank’s local supply continues towards depletion. With each donation, you can save a life and be tested for COVID-19 antibodies to support our community’s recovery.

  • To schedule an appointment at a donation center near you, please visit www.lstream.org/.


Community Connect – Dial 2-1-1 (link)

Community Connect is an excellent tool for community members seeking information on a variety of resources. When you dial 2-1-1, you will be connected to a local specialist to learn about housing and utility assistance, transportation, veteran services, community service, professional development, and more.

Local Resources

RIVERSIDE PUBLIC LIBRARY: Outdoor WI-FI Access

Outdoor WiFi Access has been extended to library parking lots, Monday – Sunday from 9 am to 7 pm at the following libraries: Arlington, Arlanza, SSGT. Salvador J. Lara Casa Blanca Library, La Sierra, Marcy, and Orange Terrace.

How to connect:

  1. Connect to "Riv-Guest" (no password needed)
  2. Open a browser, accept terms and conditions.
  3. Start browsing!

 
CITY OF RIVERSIDE: Little Free Pantry

The City of Riverside is establishing 26 free community pantries across Riverside to help address food insecurity brought about by COVID-19 and the broader concern of hunger in our region. There, community members can place unexpired food, hygiene, or paper items for community members to take what they need.

 
 
VETERANS: Inland Empire Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program

If you are a veteran experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless and are seeking employment, the Inland Empire Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP) hosted by Goodwill Southern California may be able to help. HVRP offers access to employment opportunities, employment preparation training, education and technical skills classes/certifications, career counseling, and more.

  • For information on eligibility requirements and enrollment, please email HVRP@goodwillsocal.org or call (909) 659-4849.


RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Countywide Food Access Sites (link)

Riverside County has compiled an extensive list of food resources including food pantry locations as well as senior and school Grab & Go meal sites. To learn what resources are near you, click here.

  • NOTE: Senior Meal Pick up offered by the Moreno Valley Senior Center are now available on Wednesdays from 9:30 am to 11 am.

 
 

Renter’s Assistance and Housing Programs

To find help and information for renters, homeowners, and small landlords, click here or visit HousingIsKey.com.

For local rental and housing assistance programs, please see below:

 
RIVERSIDE COUNTY CONTINUUM OF CARE: HomeConnect (link)

If you or a loved one are experiencing homelessness, Riverside County’s HomeConnect program may be able to help. HomeConnect is a coordinated entry system established by Riverside County’s Continuum of Care that can help connect you to federally-funded, state-funded, and locally-funded homeless services in Riverside County. 

 
 
CITY OF JURUPA VALLEY: Rental, Utility, and Short Term Emergency Assistance (link)

In partnership with Path of Life Ministries, the City of Jurupa Valley is helping to facilitate short-term emergency financial assistance to struggling City residents. Eligible uses include rent and utility payments, vehicle repairs, and employment- related licensing and training fees.

  • For information on eligibility and more, contact Path of Life’s at rapidresolution@thepathoflife.com or call Path of Life Ministries’ hotline at (951) 786-9048 ext. 31.

 

CITY OF MORENO VALLEY: MoVal Rental Rescue Program (link) 

The City of Moreno Valley has partnered with Inland SoCal United Way to provide emergency rental and financial assistance to keep Moreno Valley residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic housed. Assistance includes:

  • Homelessness Prevention (HP) – Up to $5,000: Rental Assistance / Rental Arrears for current housing Past Due Utility Payments.
  • Rapid Re-Housing (RR) Up to $5,000: Rental Assistance to move into permanent housing Advanced Payment of Last Month’s Rent Utility Deposits and Payments Moving Costs, Rental Application Fees, and Security Deposits.
  • To apply, click here.

 
CITY OF RIVERSIDE: Emergency Recovery Assistance Program (ERAP) (link)

Riverside Public Utilities offers a one-time $400 utility bill credit to eligible residential customers who have experienced reduced income due to loss of employment or reduced hours as a result of COVID-19.

  • To apply or learn more, click here.

 
CITY OF MORENO VALLEY: Extra Time and Discounts for Moreno Valley Utility Customers (link)

Moreno Valley Utility (MVU) now offers discounts for qualifying electricity customers through its COVID-19 Utility Assistance program.

  • Small Businesses on the General Service Rate (20kW or less) that are having trouble paying their bill can set up flexible payment arrangements for up to 24 months.
  • Residents can apply for an extended payment plan with up to 12 months to pay the outstanding balance accrued since March 2020. Income-qualified residents may qualify for the new discount savings program.
  • For more information, click here.

 
 
CITY OF CORONA: Emergency Housing Needs Assistance Program (link)

Funds are still available for the City of Corona’s Emergency Housing Needs Assistance Program (EHNAP) that provides rental, mortgage, and utility assistance to eligible Corona renters.

  • To view the program guidelines and application for renters, click here.
  • To view the program guidelines and application for mortgages, click here.
  • For frequently asked questions, click here.

 
 

Small Business Resources and Grants

To learn about California’s small business resources, click here.

 
SBA: Paycheck Protection Program Re-Opens (link)

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has reopened the Payment Protection Program (PPP) for First Draw Loan applications and has opened Second Draw PPP Loans applications until March 31, 2021. The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on payroll. PPP Loans can be used to help fund payroll costs, including benefits, and may also be used to pay for mortgage interest, rent, utilities, worker protection costs related to COVID-19, certain uninsured property damage costs, and certain supplier costs and expenses for operations.

  • For more information on the application process and new guidance, click here.

 

RIVERSIDE COUNTY: Business Ambassador Program (link)

If your business has questions or concerns regarding COVID-19 readiness and reopening, Riverside County is here to help. A Riverside County Business Ambassador is available to visit your business, at no cost, to conduct an individualized assessment to help your business run safely and efficiently.

  • To request a consultation or learn more, click here.

 
CITY OF RIVERSIDE: Small Business Utility Relief (link)

The Riverside City Council has approved a measure to temporarily small businesses with 50 or fewer workers to apply utility deposits toward unpaid Riverside Public Utilities (RPU) bills or their next payment for service between now and March 31. Small business owners are encouraged to call RPU’s Call Center at (951) 782-0330 or send an email to callcenter@riversideca.gov for more information.

 

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

The City of Jurupa Valley is currently accepting applications for LEAP funding. Eligible small businesses (6 - 50 employees) and micro-enterprises (5 employees or less) can qualify for up to $10,000 and $7,000 grants, respectively.

  • 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 NORCO: Small Enterprise Assistance Loan (SEAL) (link)

The City of Norco has created the Small Enterprise Assistance Loan Program, offering low- to no-interest loans of up to $20,000 to eligible Norco businesses and non-profits. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • For program guidelines, click here or contact the City of Norco at (951) 270-5644 or info@ci.norco.ca.us.
  • For the program application, click here. 

 
Have a safe, healthy, and happy weekend!
 
Very Sincerely,
 
RICHARD D. ROTH
Senator, 31st District