The 31st District Digest (April 19 to April 23)
REMINDER: Riverside County is now Vaccinating All Individuals 16 or Older (link)
Riverside County will soon enter its fourth week of vaccinating all residents and workers age 16 and older. Teenagers 16 and 17 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and register for a vaccination clinic that offers the Pfizer vaccine. The Moderna vaccines can only be given to individuals age 18 years and older.
To make a COVID-19 vaccine appointment at a county vaccine site, visit the Riverside County COVID-19 Vaccine Page.
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 Pfizer vaccine, then your second dose should also be a Pfizer vaccine.
Riverside County COVID-19 Vaccine Survey: Riverside County public health officials continue to seek input from community members to better tailor their outreach efforts and address some of the common concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. The voluntary survey is available in English and Spanish and all answers are confidential.
To take the survey, click here.
Returning to In-Person Instruction: Back to School Resources for Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers (link)
As school districts continue to make their transition to hybrid in-person instruction, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created useful guides, tips, and resources to help parents and families have conversations on how children can stay safe.
Each school district is handling the return to in-person instruction differently. As such, it is important to regularly check your student’s school district page, as well as their grade-specific transition plan.
CA RELIEF GRANT: Round 6 Opens WED, April 28 (link)
Round 6 of the CA Small Business and Non-Profit Relief Grant Program will open for applications beginning Wednesday, April 28 at 9:00 AM. Eligible businesses have until Tuesday, May 4 at 5:00 PM to submit their application for grant awards between $5,000 to $25,000. Applicants not selected to receive a grant in Rounds 1, 2, 3, and 5 do not need to reapply as they will be automatically moved into Round 6. New applicants will be required to file an application.
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.
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.
Tax Day is May 17
The federal income tax due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year has been extended 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.
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.
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.
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.
Local Resources
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. Starting this Monday, April 12, FEMA will be accepting applications for its Funeral Expense Assistance Program, offering support for eligible funeral-related expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
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:
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 (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.
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.
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.
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.
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 now.
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