The 31st District Digest (May 10 to May 14)

The 31^st District Digest (May 10 to May 14)

 

Riverside County Expands COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility to Those Age 12 and Older (link) (Spanish)

This week, Riverside County health officials announced they would be expanding Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to those age 12 and older, conforming to new recommendations released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

To receive a vaccine, youth age 12 to 17 years old must register for an appointment at a vaccine clinic that offers the Pfizer vaccine and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• To review the CDC’s recommendations for youth and teen vaccination, click here.

To make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at a county vaccine site, visit the Riverside County COVID-19 Vaccine Page.

 

• 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.
• Email your questions about Riverside County vaccinations to rivco.vaccines@ruhealth.org.
• For more on California’s Vaccine Plan, click here or call California’s Vaccine Hotline at (833) 422-4255.
  • Email your questions about California’s Vaccine Plan to covidcallcter@cdph.ca.gov.
• If you are a veteran and would like to schedule a COVID-19 Vaccine appointment through your local VA office, please click here or call (909) 825-7084 ext. 5085.

 

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 evolving 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 Moderna vaccine, then your second dose should also be a Moderna vaccine.

 

2021-2022 Budget: May Revision (link)

On Friday, Governor Newsom presented his California Comeback Plan, the revised 2021-2022 State Budget proposal reflecting the latest economic forecast.

Main priorities outlined in the proposed budget include:

• Providing direct relief for those hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Direct relief to California’s small businesses (link) [FACTSHEET]
  • Direct relief to Californian families (link) [FACTSHEET]
• Confronting the homelessness and housing affordability crisis (link) [FACTSHEET]
  • Building out Project Roomkey and Project Homekey by acquiring more housing units for Californians experiencing homelessness.
  • Building thousands of affordable homes.
  • Investing in efforts to address student homelessness at the UC, CSU, and CCC.
  • Providing rental support and homeless prevention programs to at-risk families.
• Transforming public schools into gateways for opportunity (link) [FACTSHEET]
  • Establishing universal transitional kindergarten (TK) by 2024.
  • Creating college savings accounts for students enrolled in K-12 public schools.
  • Investing in full-service community schools with wraparound mental health, social, and family services.
  • Investing in summer and afterschool programs.
  • Improving staff-to-student ratios.
• Bolstering drought resilience and water infrastructure (link) [FACTSHEET}
  • Investing in drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.
  • Investing in groundwater cleanup and water recycling to improve climate resilience.

 

These proposals are now under consideration by the California State Legislature. The final Enacted Budget as approved and signed by both the Legislature and the Governor will be available this summer.

• For more on the full California Comeback Plan, please visit www.ebudget.ca.gov.

 

 

EDD Scam Alert: Text Messaging Scams (link)

The Employment Development Department (EDD) has advised Californians to be on alert for scammers who pretend to be EDD or Bank of America representatives in order to trick people into giving up personal information by text message.

Customers who are unsure whether a text message is legitimate can check their UI Online account or their mailed notice to verify the information. 

Anyone who believes they have been victimized by a text-message scam should immediately report this crime to the National Center for Disaster Fraud by visiting justice.gov/disaster-fraud or by calling (866) 720-5721. Customers can also report fraud to EDD by visiting Ask EDD and selecting the Report Fraud category to submit a Fraud Reporting Form online.

 

 

TAX DAY IS MONDAY, MAY 17 (link)

The federal income tax due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year has been extended to this Monday, May 17, 2021. California has also postponed its income tax filing due date for individuals (those who file forms 540, 540 2EZ, and 540NR, including PIT composite returns) for the 2020 tax year from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021.

This also means that eligible Californian families have until May 17 to file their taxes to qualify for the California Earned Income Tax Credit (Cal EITC) and Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC), which in turn may qualify them for the Golden State Stimulus.

• For more information on Cal EITC and YCTC, click here.
• For more information on the Golden State Stimulus, click here.

 

EDD: 1099G Tax Information: The CA Employment Development Dept. (EDD) has launched a 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.

 

Forgiven PPP Loans will not be counted as taxable income: California has taken action to conform to federal rules with respect to forgiven Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. As such, forgiven PPP loans that businesses received from the federal government during the pandemic will not be counted as taxable income, and these businesses can also deduct the costs of expenses that those loans paid for.

• For more on this recent action, click here.

 

TAX CREDITS for Employers: As part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that small and midsize employers, and certain governmental employers, can claim refundable tax credits that reimburse them for the cost of providing paid sick and family leave to their employees due to COVID-19, including leave taken by employees to receive or recover from COVID-19 vaccinations. The ARP tax credits are available to eligible employers that pay sick and family leave for leave from April 1, 2021, through September 30, 2021.

• For more information, click here.

 

Friendly Reminders

FREE COVID-19 Testing

COVID-19 vaccinations and regular testing work hand in hand to accelerate our region’s path to recovery. It is important that we maintain our testing schedule to ensure that our public health leaders can accurately assess the spread of the virus throughout our community and track the progress that we have made together.

 

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, Curative has partnered with several local cities 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 in public and workplace settings, 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.

 

 

United Lift: Riverside County Rental Assistance Partnership Applications are OPEN (link)

United Lift– Riverside County’s partnership with Lift to Rise and Inland SoCal United Way– is now accepting applications for rental assistance. This year, the program will provide one-time rental assistance support to cover up to 12 months of unpaid rent during the period between March 13, 2020, until the time of application, plus an additional three months of future rent.

• For information on eligibility requirements, please visit www.unitedlift.org (Spanish).

 

FEMA: Funeral Expense Assistance (link)

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken so much from our community and brought incredible grief to families across our nation. As families take the time they need to recover from the loss of loved ones, FEMA has established a new resource to help alleviate some of the financial stress and hardship that often comes with loss. FEMA is now accepting applications for its Funeral Expense Assistance Program, offering support for eligible funeral-related expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.

• To learn more about the FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program and eligibility, click here.
• To apply, please call FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line at (844) 684-6333, TTY: (800) 462-7585

 

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 available on Wednesdays from 9:30 am to 11 am.

 

 

Renter’s Assistance and Housing Programs

 Housing is Key: the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief Program (link)

If you have experienced a financial hardship due to COVID‐19, have past due rent or utilities, and have a household income that is not more than 80% of the area median income, you may be eligible to receive help to pay past due or future rent and utilities from the state of California. Landlords and renters can verify eligibility immediately by visiting HousingIsKey.com, or by calling (833) 430‐2122, and if eligible, apply.

 

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. 

• To learn what resources may be available to you, call (800) 498-8847 or email homeconnect@ruhealth.org.

 

 CITY OF RIVERSIDE: Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program (link)

The City of Riverside is offering emergency rental and utilities assistance to eligible city residents who may have accrued rental debt due to COVID-19 related loss of income.

• For information on eligibility and to find the application, click here or reach out to the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County – (951) 682-6581.
• COMING SOON: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the RESTART Repayment program will set up a repayment plan to assist customers that have been unable to pay off their monthly utility bill. To sign up to receive an e-notification when additional details on the RESTART Repayment program becomes available, click here.

 
CITY OF PERRIS: COVID-19 Rental and Mortgage Assistance Program, Utilities Assistance Program (link)

The City of Perris is offering its residents financial assistance to cover up to 100% of monthly rent or mortgage (up to the maximum of $1,200/month) for 6 consecutive months, as well as utilities assistance to cover up to 100% of monthly electric, water, and gas utility costs (up to the maximum of $300/month) for 6 consecutive months.

• For more information on the Rental & Mortgage Assistance Program, click here.
• For more information on the CDBG-CV Utility Assistance Program, click here.
• To access the online application for both programs, click here.

 

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, email 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.

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Application (link)

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program was established through the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act and amended by the American Rescue Plan Act to provide over $16 billion in economic relief to target industries. Eligible live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, museum operators, motion picture theatre operators, and talent representatives can submit their applications now.

• To sign up to be notified when SVOG applications open, click here.
• For answers to FAQs, click here.

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