Undocumented immigrants in SLO County can get $500 for coronavirus relief. Here’s how
Help is on the way for undocumented immigrants in San Luis Obispo County who’ve been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.
California is providing $75 million in relief funds for undocumented immigrants who’ve lost work during the pandemic and aren’t eligible for federal stimulus checks or unemployment benefits.
The state will provide most of the relief money, and philanthropic partners will donate an additional $50 million, according to the Sacramento Bee.
Adults can apply for $500 each and up to $1,000 for each household. State officials expect to help about 150,000 residents with the allocated funding.
“Regardless of your status, documented or undocumented, there are people in need. And this is a state that steps up always to support those in need, regardless of status,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in April when he announced the program.
Newsom said it’s important to provide aid to undocumented immigrants because many work in essential fields — including healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and construction — and they pay more than $2.5 billion in taxes without receiving benefits.
The Center for American Liberty and the Dhillon Law Group in April sued the Newsom administration in the California Supreme Court to block the distribution of the funds, but their petition was denied on May 6.
How to apply for relief money
To distribute the funds, the state will allocate money to 12 local nonprofits. Residents can start applying for the funds on Monday, May 18, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Central Coast residents in San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties can apply for funds through Community Action Board Santa Cruz.
Starting on Monday, residents can call 1-800-228-6820 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to apply for the funds.
For more information in English, visit cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/immigration/covid-19-drai. For more information in Spanish, visit cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/Immigration/COVID/DRAI-FAQ-SP.pdf.
This story was originally published May 15, 2020 at 5:15 AM.
