Working people throughout California, as well as their families and communities, are facing an unprecedented health and economic crisis. We are also witnessing and participating in inspiring acts of solidarity and collective action. Advocates have mobilized to provide legal, financial and logistical support to our clients, members and communities. The resources below are intended to support peoples’ immediate needs today and in the coming weeks.
While supporting and looking out for each other now, we also invite you to join with us to define a new normal: where work provides working people with stability and safety, where we are treated fairly and with respect, and where our jobs allow us to provide for ourselves and our families, and to join together to ensure that our communities thrive in a just and inclusive economy.
Our state legislature must ensure a #SafetyNet4AllofUs by providing ongoing relief for California’s undocumented community through the duration of the COVID-19 crisis.
Urge Los Angeles City Council to protect residents during the pandemic. #HealthyLA
More than 70 labor and community organizations throughout California are joining together to send an urgent message to Governor Gavin Newsom and top state officials: Listen to California Workers!
Legally, you cannot be evicted at this time except for health and safety reasons.
More than 100 local governments in the state have implemented stronger protections for tenants affected by COVID 19. Visit nolo.com for a list of stronger local laws updated daily.
Visit hud.gov for information from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development about mortgage assistance, public housing, and emergency assistance. Contact: Fair Housing (800) 669-9777 or (800) 877-8339 for TTY.
Legal Aid Society of San Diego’s guide to San Diego county, city, and state eviction moratoriums related to COVID-19 can be found here in English and Spanish.
If you need legal assistance you can reach Legal Aid Society of San Diego by calling 1-877-534-2524
Dial 911 for emergencies or 211 (211sandiego.org)
Check back soon for resources in your area
Those who are eligible can be referred by calling 800-498-8847.
Location: Santa Maria High School, 901 S Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454
(Entrance: Gymnasium Gate 12 off of Stowell Rd).
San Luis Obisbo:
5 CITIES HOMELESS COALITION: 5Cities Homeless Coalition offices in Grover Beach remain closed, but staff members are on duty, working from home and in the field. If you live in South County and need help, please see “RESOURCES” below, or you can call 5CHC at 805-574-1638 during normal business hours. Our office is open between 1-2 M-F to provide mail to anyone currently using our address for their mail. We are not accepting anyone new for mail services at this time. Good Samaritan-5 Cities Homeless Coalition’s program is continuing. Please call 805-202-3056 for more information.
ECHO: Shelter remains open and accessible, and has expanded its public shower program in the wake of COVID-19. The program is now open every weekday, Monday through Friday, from 3 to 5 p.m. Two temporary trailers have been placed outside of 40 Prado in order to isolate individuals who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms and need further medical evaluation.
GOOD SAMARITAN: Due to the mounting concerns surrounding COVID-19 and the health and safety of our staff and current clients, no new clients will be admitted to our shelters at this time, and no current clients will be exited until further notice. Client currently residing in our shelters are being encouraged to stay in throughout the day, only leaving for essential services and functions. All clients receiving outpatient drug and alcohol treatment services and mental health services will be able to meet one on one with their counselors/ therapists to ensure continued care.
SANTA MARIA HIGH SCHOOL: The Santa Maria High School gymnasium will now operate as a 24-hour emergency shelter to provide the homeless a place to stay and serve as a precaution against the coronavirus. Entrance into the shelter is permitted from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with sleeping cots, showers, hand washing and phone charging stations, and three meals a day offered to clients when they walk in the door. The gym has a capacity of 80 people with sufficient space for six feet of social distancing between people.
The high school is located at 901 S. Broadway, and the entrance to the gym is at Gate 12 off Stowell Road.
ATASCADERO WARMING CENTER: Located at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atascadero. The Warming Center is open and operating when there is a 50% chance or greater of rain or when the temperature is forecast to be 40 degrees or less until April 15th.
This center provides meals, clothing, and other services.
Check back soon for resources in your area
Click below:
Dial 911 for emergencies or 211 (211sandiego.org)
Check back soon for resources in your area
Those who are eligible can be referred by calling 800-498-8847.
Location: Santa Maria High School, 901 S Broadway, Santa Maria, CA 93454
(Entrance: Gymnasium Gate 12 off of Stowell Rd).
San Luis Obispo:
5 CITIES HOMELESS COALITION: 5 Cities Homeless Coalition offices in Grover Beach remain closed, but staff members are on duty, working from home and in the field. If you live in South County and need help, please see “RESOURCES” below, or you can call 5CHC at 805-574-1638 during normal business hours. The office is open between 1-2 M-F to provide mail to anyone currently using our address for their mail. We are not accepting anyone new for mail services at this time.
Good Samaritan-5 Cities Homeless Coalition’s program is continuing. Please call 805-202-3056 for more information.
ECHO: Shelter remains open and accessible, and has expanded its public shower program in the wake of COVID-19. The program is now open every weekday, Monday through Friday, from 3 to 5 p.m. Two temporary trailers have been placed outside of 40 Prado in order to isolate individuals who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms and need further medical evaluation.
GOOD SAMARITAN: Due to the mounting concerns surrounding COVID-19 and the health and safety of our staff and current clients, no new clients will be admitted to our shelters at this time, and no current clients will be exited until further notice. Client currently residing in our shelters are being encouraged to stay in throughout the day, only leaving for essential services and functions. All clients receiving outpatient drug and alcohol treatment services and mental health services will be able to meet one on one with their counselors/ therapists to ensure continued care.
SANTA MARIA HIGH SCHOOL: The Santa Maria High School gymnasium will now operate as a 24-hour emergency shelter to provide the homeless a place to stay and serve as a precaution against the coronavirus. Entrance into the shelter is permitted from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with sleeping cots, showers, hand washing and phone charging stations, and three meals a day offered to clients when they walk in the door. The gym has a capacity of 80 people with sufficient space for six feet of social distancing between people.
The high school is located at 901 S. Broadway, and the entrance to the gym is at Gate 12 off Stowell Road.
ATASCADERO WARMING CENTER: Located at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in Atascadero. The Warming Center is open and operating when there is a 50% chance or greater of rain or when the temperature is forecast to be 40 degrees or less until April 15th.
This center provides meals, clothing, and other services.
Check back soon for resources in your area
Documented workers may be eligible for unemployment–even if you’re self-employed. Unemployment insurance replaces 60-70% of your wages, up to $450 per month from the State of California, plus $600 dollars per week from the federal CARES Act’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.
All low-income Californians, including undocumented workers, can apply for disaster assistance.
Starting in May, undocumented Californians can receive $500 per worker, up to $1,000 per household. Applications will require no income-based test or personal information. Grants to provide this assistance will be distributed through community-based organizations. Find out more here and in Spanish here.
Many cities and counties are rapidly providing income replacement for households with undocumented members.
The San Francisco County Board of Supervisors has voted to create the COVID-19 Emergency Family Relief Fund, which will provide at least $500 per month for families with children or dependents under 18.
Priority will be given to families that do not qualify for other assistance programs due to their immigration status. This program is expected to provide funds to almost 5000 families in San Francisco County. As the program has not been implemented yet, information about how to apply is not available yet.
Check back soon for resources in your area
California Coastal Rural Development Corporation is offering working capital loans at a low interest rate and defers interest and principal repayment for the duration of the closure. The County’s program is matching SBA deferment qualifications during this business cycle and may be a source of bridge funding until the SBA programs come online. Call: (831) 424-1099 or visit: https://www.calcoastal.org/
Office of Emergency Services– This webpage has a list of services that can provide economic assistance during this time.
Check back soon for resources in your area
As of 4/27/2020, we have been unable to find information on any government-administered income replacement funds for undocumented people in the other regions of California. This list will become updated as resources become available.
Visit Legal Aid at Work for a list of relief funds for undocumented workers.
For COVID related testing and treatment, visit https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/ to apply for Medi-Cal coverage and find a doctor. Everyone is eligible for COVID 19 testing and treatment through Medi-Cal regardless of income or immigration status. As of March 18, 2020, the House Resolution (H.R.) 6201 Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Section 6004, authorized State Medicaid Programs to provide access to coverage for COVID-19 diagnostic testing, testing-related services, and treatment services, including all medically necessary care at no cost to the individual. Rules will be finalized on April 24, but coverage is retroactive and providers cannot turn you away.
Medi-Cal coverage for COVID-related care will not affect inadmissibility determinations under the “public charge” rule. Find out more at http://www.bettzedek.org/download/12006/.
Everyone is eligible for emergency and pregnancy-related medical treatment under Medi-Cal regardless of immigration status. Visit https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/eligibility/Pages/Medi-CalFAQs2014b.aspx to find out more.
COVID Testing and Treatment
COVID-19 testing is not yet widely available for people without symptoms or documented exposure. Check back here for updates.
Visit https://www.projectbaseline.com/study/covid-19/ for the state of California’s free COVID-19 testing for people who show symptoms, have pre-existing medical conditions, or have been exposed to someone with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 in the following areas:
Check back soon for resources in your area
Check back soon for resources in your area
Check back soon for resources in your area
Check back soon for resources in your area
Check back regularly for updates, and download this summary chart to learn more about longer paid sick leave laws in cities and counties throughout the state.
Undocumented workers can apply for SDI using a paper application. Simply leave a blank in the form that requests your social security number.
Many cities and counties are rapidly providing income replacement for households with undocumented members:
Check back soon for resources in your area
Check back soon for resources in your area
California Coastal Rural Development Corporation is offering working capital loans at a low interest rate and defers interest and principal repayment for the duration of the closure. The County’s program is matching SBA deferment qualifications during this business cycle and may be a source of bridge funding until the SBA programs come online. Call: (831) 424-1099 or visit: https://www.calcoastal.org/
Office of Emergency Services– This webpage has a list of services that can provide economic assistance during this time.
Check back soon for resources in your area
As of 4/27/2020, we have been unable to find information on any government-administered income replacement funds for undocumented people in the other regions of California. This list will become updated as resources become available.
Visit Legal Aid at Work for a list of relief funds for undocumented workers.
By law, employers must identify hazards in the workplace, including COVID 19, and have a written plan to eliminate or reduce them. This includes providing effective training, providing adequate personal protective equipment, and providing handwashing facilities. Workers have the right to do the following without retaliation: report hazards, illnesses or injuries; file or participate in a Cal/OSHA inspection; and refuse dangerous work.
Cal/OSHA and the CDC has issued general guidance for all employers and specific guidance for particular industries.
For more information, including factsheets for workers in specific industries in various languages and resources for advocates and trainers, also visit:
Labor Occupational Health Program, UC Berkeley
Labor Occupational Health Program, UC Los Angeles
For additional resources for legal and worker advocates, contact:
Workers have a right to a safe and healthy workplace. The Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/OSHA is the agency responsible for enforcing health and safety laws to protect workers from injuries and illnesses caused by workplace hazards. Cal/OSHA has issued COVID-19 guidance for employers, including for specific industries.
If your employer is not adequately protecting workers from COVID-19 or other workplace hazards, including cleaning products, you can file a complaint online or by contacting one of the Cal/OSHA enforcement offices. It is helpful to file together with other co-workers and document the problem as much as possible. You can submit written testimony from yourself and others, and arrange to meet with Cal/OSHA inspectors away from the workplace.
You may also contact your county’s public health department.
For more information, see resources from the National Employment Law Center.
If you think you might have been exposed at work, let your employer know, preferably in writing. CDC guidance recommends self-isolating if you have symptoms, but talk with your employer about self-isolating even if you don’t have symptoms, especially if you are in a high-risk category. Practice social distancing and hand hygiene, disinfect all shared surfaces, and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, like masks or gloves.
If it’s confirmed that you were exposed through work, you may have access to workers’ compensation to replace for 60-70% of your wages for up to one year (or more, as necessary) as well as medical costs. File a Disability Insurance (DI) claim here.
Yes, you have the right to refuse dangerous work that you know or believe creates a real and apparent hazard and that violates health and safety regulations. In this case, you should advise your employer and let them know you can do the work if the hazard is eliminated or that you can do other work that is safe. If possible, seek the support of a union, worker organization, or legal aid office. If your employer retaliates against you, you have the right to file a claim with the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement.
Check back soon for more detailed information on the right to refuse dangerous work.
Center on Policy Initiatives
CLEAN Carwash Campaign
East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy
Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance
Labor Occupational Health Program
Los Angeles Black Worker Center
Los Angeles County Federation of Labor
National Domestic Workers Alliance
National Employment Law Project
Partnership for Working Families
Santa Clara County Wage Theft Coalition
Service Employees International Union CA
Service Employees International Union 721
Southern California Coalition on Occupational Safety and Health
United Service Workers West
UC Berkeley Labor Center
UCLA Labor Center
United Food and Commercial Workers Union 770
United for Respect
Warehouse Workers Resource Center
Working Partnerships USA
WorkSafe
