Coronavirus help: Here’s where you can find resources and assistance in the Sacramento area
Many will face unique challenges as the Sacramento region confronts the spread of the new coronavirus, but help is available for those in need. Below is a collection of resources for parents, renters, homeowners, workers and businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak. This list will be updated as needed.
Help with income loss
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has waived the one-week waiting period for individuals to claim unemployment benefits following a spike in claims due to layoffs and business closures. Those experiencing loss of income due to the outbreak may qualify for benefits in California:
▪ Workers who have lost jobs or hours due to COVID-19 illness may be eligible for unemployment benefits, even if the worker expects to return to the job.
▪ Employees who miss work to care for children due to school closures may be eligible for unemployment.
▪ Employees who miss work to care for someone who is ill or quarantined due to coronavirus may be eligible for paid family leave.
The Sacramento Central Labor Council is helping workers impacted by the pandemic navigate the unemployment process. Visit this page at labor.ca.gov or call 916-905-1625 for more information.
Small-business assistance
Help is available for small businesses, many of which have closed their doors or curtailed operations to comply with orders from health officials.
▪ The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans to small businesses suffering substantial economic losses due to the coronavirus. SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance. Get more information at sba.gov.
Food assistance
The Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services continues to work with more than 220 partner agencies to distribute food throughout the community. The food bank has set up a Frequently Asked Questions page with links to its distribution sites, schedule and other information.
Food bank officials are reporting increased costs and demand. Those who wish to donate or volunteer are encouraged to do so. A $1 donation can provide five meals for a family. Volunteers must be between the ages of 10 and 64 with no underlying health conditions.
Meals at school
Some school districts have started drive-thru and walk-up programs to provide free breakfasts and lunches to children in need.
Programs vary by district, but parents are typically being asked to remain in their vehicles while workers provide meals based on the number of children in the vehicle.
▪ The Sacramento City Unified School District is expanding meal access for students affected by school closures. Pickup times and locations are available here. Call 916-395-5600 for more information.
▪ The Natomas Unified School district is providing lunch and breakfast for children 18 and under at 15 NUSD locations from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through April 3. Go to natomasunified.org for a list of locations.
▪ The Robla School District’s Meals on Wheels program is available twice a week through April 17. School buses make assigned stops in area neighborhoods to provide days worth of breakfasts and lunches to children under 18. Visit the district’s Meals on Wheels page or call 916-649-5248 for more information.
How to get food deliveries
Demand for online grocery shopping and delivery services has spiked to the point of inundation in some places. Money.com reported problems when it tried to have groceries delivered in multiple states, but it successfully placed orders through Peapod and Instacart. Other options include Amazon Fresh, FreshDirect, Target, Walmart, DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub.
Free childcare for essential workers
Mayor Darrell Steinberg and Mayor Pro Tem Angelique Ashby announced a free Essential Worker Childcare program for first responders, healthcare workers and essential city of Sacramento employees. Beginning Monday, 350 childcare slots for children ages 5-12 will be available at eight community centers throughout the city. Parents who wish to enroll their children can visit this site, search for “essential worker childcare” and choose from the list of available locations.
What renters need to know
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced a national eviction moratorium for public-housing residents who cannot pay rent due to the coronavirus outbreak. Locally, the Sacramento City Council established an emergency moratorium on evictions, protecting renters who are financially impacted by the coronavirus for any of the following reasons:
▪ Renters who are infected with the new coronavirus or are caring for a household or family member who is sick with the virus that causes COVID-19
▪ Renters who were laid off, lost hours at work, or had income reduced in any way as a result of the coronavirus pandemic
▪ Renters complying with the recommendations from government agencies to stay home, self quarantine and avoid congregating
▪ Renters who need to miss work to care for a home-bound school-age child
In order to take advantage of the protections, renters must:
▪ Notify their landlord in writing before the day rent is due that they have a covered reason for a delayed payment
▪ Provide landlords with verifiable documentation to support the covered reason
▪ Pay the portion of the rent the tenant is able to pay
Renters can provide this Tenant Delay of Rent Payment form to landlords as written notification of loss of income.
What homeowners need to know
Steps are being taken to protect homeowners as well:
▪ For homeowners with a Federal Housing Administration-backed mortgage, HUD announced Wednesday it is suspending all foreclosure and eviction actions for the next 60 days, through mid-May. The moratorium covers FHA mortgages for single-family homes.
▪ The Federal Housing Finance Agency, which oversees Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the 11 Federal Home Loan Banks, has suspended foreclosures and evictions for at least 60 days due to the national emergency. FHFA is also providing payment forbearance to borrowers impacted by the coronavirus, allowing mortgage payments to be suspended for up to 12 months.
▪ Many major banks are offering mortgage relief programs to homeowners as well, including Bank of America, Capital One and Wells Fargo. Borrowers should contact their lenders for more information.
Assistance with utility bills
SMUD, the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, and PG&E are offering assistance to customers:
▪ SMUD will not disconnect your power due to non-payment through March 31. Customers who are behind on payment will still owe SMUD for service, but they will not lose power at this time. Call 1-888-742-7638 or go to smud.org to make payment arrangements.
▪ PG&E is suspending service disconnections for non-payment and waiving security deposits; implementing flexible payment plan options; and providing additional support for low-income and medical baseline customers.
Help us provide more resources
Do you know of a resource or service aimed at helping those affected by the coronavirus pandemic? Fill out the form below (or click here if you can’t see it), and we’ll work to incorporate it on this page soon. Any personal information you provide won’t be shared publicly.
This story was originally published March 20, 2020 at 8:01 PM.
