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COVID-19: For Workers

The L.A. County Business & Worker Disaster Help Center is here to help workers affected by the coronavirus health emergency. We’ve gathered several useful resources to help L.A. County workers who may be experiencing adversities due to the global COVID-19 Pandemic

Los Angeles County Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services COVID-19 Resource Guide
WDACS has compiled an extensive resource guide which contains important information to assist workers whose lives have been impacted by the coronavirus emergency.

Unemployment, Disability, Paid Family Leave

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) has several resources for workers dealing with hardships.

If your employer has shut down or reduced hours, your hours have been cut, or you have been laid off, you can file for unemployment insurance:

https://edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Filing_a_Claim.htm

If you are sick with COVID-19 or have been exposed and cannot work, you can file a disability insurance claim:

https://edd.ca.gov/Disability/How_to_File_a_DI_Claim_in_SDI_Online.htm/

If you are caring for someone else who is sick with COVID-19 and unable to work, file a claim for paid family leave:

https://edd.ca.gov/Disability/How_to_File_a_PFL_Claim_in_SDI_Online.htm/

For other important Frequently Asked Questions from EDD:

https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm#UIBenefits

Unemployment Insurance Toll-Free Numbers

Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon (Pacific Time) except on state holidays.

English: (800) 300-5616
Spanish: (800) 326-8937
Cantonese: (800) 547-3506
Mandarin: (866) 303-0706
Vietnamese: (800) 547-2058
TTY: (800) 815-9387

Disability Toll-Free Numbers

English: (800) 480-3287
Spanish: (866) 658-8846
TTY: (800) 563-2441 - When calling via the California Relay Service (711), please provide the Disability Insurance number (800-480-3287) to the operator.

Paid Family Leave Statewide Toll-Free Numbers

English: (877) 238-4373
Spanish: (877) 379-3819
Cantonese: (866) 692-5595
Vietnamese: (866) 692-5596
Armenian: (866) 627-1567
Punjabi: (866) 627-1568
Tagalog: (866) 627-1569
TTY: (800) 445-1312. - When calling via the California Relay Service (711), please provide the Paid Family Leave Insurance number (877-238-4373) to the operator.

California State Government Employees Toll-Free Numbers

Nonindustrial Disability Insurance: (866) 758-9768
Disability Insurance for State Employees: (866) 352-7675
Paid Family Leave for State Employees: (877) 945-4747

Informational videos:

Unemployment Insurance Help: https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/UI_Online_Videos.htm

Disability Help: https://www.edd.ca.gov/disability/sdi_online_tutorials.htm

Services for Businesses: https://www.edd.ca.gov/payroll_taxes/e-Services_for_Business_tutorials.htm

Eviction Moratorium in Unincorporated L.A. County

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors enacted a temporary moratorium through May 31, 2020 on certain residential and commercial evictions in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County in response to the COVID-19 health emergency. The moratorium includes a ban on evictions for nonpayment of rent, if the tenant can show they have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 health emergency. For more details:

rent.lacounty.gov

(833) 223-7368

Benefits from the L.A. County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS)

If you are experiencing financial challenges, you might be eligible for several available benefits from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS).

Learn more: click here. Apply for benefits: click here. Apply by phone: (866) 613-3777

Food program for individuals and families:

Cal Fresh

Cash assistance program for single adults:

General Relief

Cash assistance program for families:

CalWORKS

Cash assistance program for immigrants:

CAPI

Health benefits for individuals and families

Medi-Cal

Wage Complaints

If you work in unincorporated Los Angeles County and your employer does not pay you the mandated minimum wage, file a complaint with the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs. Call (800) 593-8222 or file an online report at:

https://iddweb.isd.lacounty.gov/DCA_eComplaint/WageAndHour/

Price Gouging Complaints

Price gouging is the act of a business raising the prices of needed products and services over 10 percent during a declared emergency. If you believe you have been a victim of price gouging or suspect a business is price gouging, contact the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at (800) 593-8222 or file an online complaint at:

https://iddweb.isd.lacounty.gov/dca_ecomplaint/

Help with Utilities

Los Angeles County Public Works will not shut off or stop services for customers who are delinquent or behind in service or permit payments until this order is lifted. This includes water, sewer and trash pick-up services. For any inquires, Public Works' 24 hour/7 day dispatch number is (800) 675-4357.

Southern California Edison (SCE) has implemented the following provisions:

  • Suspension of disconnections for non-payment for all residential and commercial customers
  • Flexible payment plans to customers who contact SCE and self-identify as being impacted financially by the COVID-19 emergency
  • Customers with current accounts wll be offered a one-time, up to 60-day, extension
  • Customers with past-due accounts will be offered up to a six-month payment arrangement
  • SCE will work with customers to accommodate a customer’s unique situation that may result in a payment arrangement for up to 12 months

SoCal Gas has suspended service disconnections to any customers who are having a hard time paying their bill until further notice.

More info

Resources for Restaurant Workers

California Restaurant Association Foundation is providing grants to California restaurant workers who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are medically quarantined. For more information and to apply:

click here

Restaurant Workers Community Foundation has formed a Restaurant Workers Relief Fund for workers facing economic hardships or health crisis as a direct result of the Coronavirus pandemic. For more information and to apply:

click here

One Fair Wage Campaign has started a relief fund for restaurant and gig workers affected by the crisis in states where it has active campaigns (including California). For more information and to apply:

click here

USBG National Charity Foundation is providing grants to bartenders experiencing catastrophic events or economic hardship. For more information and to apply:

click here

Resources for Artists and Musicians:

An aggregated list of free resources, opportunities, and financial relief options available to artists of all disciplines.

COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resource List

The Musicians Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to musicians and their families in times of need, crisis or transition:

Musicians Foundation Grant

(212) 239-9137

The Recording Academy and its affiliated charitable foundation MusiCares have established the COVID-19 Relief Fund to help our peers in the music community affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.

MusicCares COVID-19 Relief Fund

(888) 825-0911 (general info)

The Actors Fund provides a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan.

The Actors Fund Emergency Assistance Program

(888) 825-0911

The Jazz Foundation’s Musicians’ Emergency Fund provides housing assistance, pro bono medical care, disaster relief and direct financial support in times of crisis

Jazz Foundation of America Emergency Fund for Musicians

(212) 245-3999

CERF+ serves artists who work in craft disciplines by providing a safety net to support strong and sustainable careers.

CERF + Artists Safety Net

(802) 229-2306

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