Coronavirus (COVID-19) Immigrant Resource Guide
As of August 25, 2020
Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants (DRAI) – Not Currently Accepting Applications
In April 2020, California announced the Disaster Relief Fund, a public-private partnership with philanthropy intended to support undocumented immigrants who do not qualify for other forms of federal and state assistance.
Nonprofit organizations responsible for administering the Disaster Relief Fund locally have completed the application intake phase at this time. They will continue to work on application approval and pre-paid card disbursement until all funds have been disbursed.
Local philanthropy continues to provide cash and other forms of assistance when it can. California Community Foundation continues to receive donations for the COVID-19 L.A. County Response Fund. There is also a list of hardship grant opportunities for specific populations at the California Immigrant Resilience Fund.
LA County COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave
On April 28, 2020, the Board of Supervisors approved an interim urgency ordinance providing supplemental paid sick leave benefits. It required employers with over 500 employees, nationally located within the unincorporated areas of LA County and that fall under the jurisdiction of the County, to provide its employees with ten days or 80 hours of supplemental paid sick leave for COVID-19 related reasons for the term of the emergency.
LA County Temporary Eviction Moratorium
The LA County Temporary Eviction Moratorium, effective March 4 to September 30, implemented a countywide ban on evictions for residential and commercial tenants, including mobile home space renters. During the moratorium, tenants may not be evicted for COVID 19 related non-payment of rent, as well as no fault reasons, nuisance, unauthorized occupants or pets, if related to COVID-19. The moratorium may be extended by the LA County Board of Supervisors on a month-to-month basis.
Tenants must notify their landlord within seven days after their rent is due, unless extenuating circumstances exist, that they are unable to pay due to a loss of income related to COVID-19. Tenants will have 12 months following the end of the moratorium period to pay back any amount due.
To get more information, please call a Rent Stabilization counselor at (833) 223-RENT (7368) or email the LA County Rent Stabilization Unit at rent@dcba.lacounty.gov.
Foreclosure Prevention
Property owners impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible for temporary relief. The federal, state and local governments announced several protections. Whether your loan is owned by the government, a national or state charter bank, or private institution, you may be eligible to reduce or delay payments for up to 12 months. This type of arrangement is called a Forbearance Plan/Agreement.
Furthermore, lenders may be limited in initiating foreclosures during the State of Emergency related to COVID-19. To assist with eligibility or other foreclosure avoidance options, contact the Los Angeles County Disaster Help Center at (833) 238-4450.
First District COVID-19 Business Relief Grant – Not Currently Accepting Applications
The SD1 COVID-19 Business Relief Grant program was established to support businesses in the unincorporated areas within LA County’s First Supervisorial District. This program was created by Supervisor Hilda Solis and is administered by Inclusive Action for the City. Recipients will be selected via a lottery system and contacted within a month.
For questions, call or text (323) 388-3724, or email at grants@inclusiveaction.org.
Food Security in LA County
County agencies and partners that provide free groceries and meals for all ages are expanding their services during COVID-19.
The CalFresh program and the Women, Infants & Children program (WIC) can help individuals and families pay for food through an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card. WIC also offers nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to healthcare and community services.
Great Plates Delivered
L.A. County has launched a first-in-the-nation meal delivery service in LA County. Great Plates Delivered helps older adults and adults at high risk from COVID-19 to stay home and stay healthy by delivering three nutritious meals a day, while at the same time, helping our restaurant, hospitality and transportation community get back to work.
Eligibility: Great Plates Delivered focuses on individuals in L.A. County who are 65 or older; OR are in the 60-64 age group and have been diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19 or are at high risk as defined by the CDC.
LA County Free Wi-Fi Hotspot Locator
The ability to access the Internet has become a critical necessity during the COVID-19. Internet access is key to schools’ online learning programs, and is the gateway that connects members of the public who need federal, state and local emergency information and resources that are obtained online.
To bridge this digital divide, the County has launched a new map-based tool to help people find free Wi-Fi hotspots.
The County’s new Locator website is findwifi.lacounty.gov. Any member of the public can dial 2-1-1 to ask for assistance or can visit the site directly. The website features a search tool, based on the user’s physical address, to connect them to various Internet related services. These include Internet access services for students, the location of free Wi-Fi spots in the County (including free hotspots located in or nearby County libraries and County parks) and contact information for residential and commercial broadband Internet providers and mobile Internet providers.