The 31st District Digest (March 15 to March 19)
Riverside County enters the Red Tier (link) (Spanish)
This week, the California Dept. of Public Health moved Riverside County into the Red Tier of the State’s reopening framework, allowing for more businesses and activities to resume indoor operations. This move reflects the County’s continued progress in improving our local coronavirus case and positive test rates, as well as the progress that has been made across the state in the equitable distribution of vaccine doses.
As of Wednesday, March 17, the following changes have taken effect:
It is critical that we stay mindful of the steps that have brought us this far. Washing hands, wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing, avoiding large gatherings, and scheduling regular testing—by maintaining these measures, we can move even further through the statewide reopening framework.
Tax Day is now May 17 (link)
On Wednesday, the Federal Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced that the federal income tax due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to 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 now 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.
Vaccine Eligibility expands to those with Underlying Health Conditions (link) (Spanish)
This week, Riverside County health officials expanded COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to now include those age 16 to 64 with certain underlying health conditions, including cancer, chronic pulmonary disease, pregnancy, sickle cell disease, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, or those who have an immunocompromised state from a solid organ transplant. The County also expanded the list of occupations eligible for vaccination to include professions like public transit workers, janitorial/custodial service workers, and congregate residential setting workers and residents.
Once you are eligible, please visit the Riverside County Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Page to make an appointment. If you have received your first dose, you will be notified by the County’s public health team and will be able to schedule your second dose appointment at any of the RUHS-Public Health Clinics or Curative Clinics. For more information on second doses, 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.
VETERANS: VA Loma Linda is Administering Moderna and Janssen COVID-19 Vaccines
VA Loma Linda is administrating Moderna and Janssen COVID-19 vaccine to Veterans enrolled in VA health care at VA Loma Linda that are:
For more information visit https://www.lomalinda.va.gov/.
If you are eligible, please call (909) 825-7084 ext. 6212 or 5085 to make an appointment.
Small businesses have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic-- federal, state, and local resources are here to help.
I invite you to join Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes and me for a Virtual Small Business Workshop in partnership with the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center. The virtual Small Business Workshop will focus on federal, state, and local resources available to support our small business community:
Tuesday, March 23, 2021 from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
To RSVP today, click here.
New Resources
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.
CalWORKs Housing Support Program (link)
If you are a Riverside County property owner who rents your units to families participating in the CalWORKs Housing Support Program, you may qualify for a $1,000 incentive. Interested property owners and/or CalWORKs customers are encouraged to learn more by calling (833) 391-0506 or emailing hsp@rivco.org.
Coming Soon: New 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 beginning April 8, 2021.
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.
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.
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.
EDD: 1099G Tax Information (link)
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.
United Lift: Riverside County Rental Assistance Partnership Reopens Applications (link)
United Lift– Riverside County’s partnership with Lift to Rise and Inland SoCal United Way– is now accepting applications for the next round of 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.
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:
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.
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.
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 RIVERSIDE: Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
CITY OF RIVERSIDE: Small Business Deposit Credit Program (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) 826-5311 or send an email to RPUSBA@RiversideCA.gov for more information.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Have a safe, healthy, and happy weekend!
Very Sincerely,
RICHARD D. ROTH
Senator, 31st District