Facing loss of income or food due to coronavirus? Here’s how to get help

For those facing the loss of income or other support due to the coronavirus pandemic, there are programs and agencies that can help. Below is a list of resources. This list will be updated as needed.

Help with income loss

Those experiencing loss of income due to COVID-19 may qualify for some benefits in California:

▪ If an employer has either reduced one’s hours or shut down due to COVID-19, an employee may be eligible for unemployment benefits, even if the worker expects to return to the job.

▪ If you have to miss work to care for your children due to school closures, and you do not have alternative care or remote work options, you may be eligible for unemployment.

▪ If you have to miss work to care for someone who is ill or quarantined due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for paid family leave.

▪ Employers who are experiencing loss of business may also qualify for some benefits through California’s Work Sharing Program.

▪Small businesses can apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. In addition, the Downtown Fresno Partnership and the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce have listed resources for small businesses on their websites.

▪The United Way of Fresno and Madera Counties is working to set up a local relief fund for people who need housing, income, food, or other related assistance due to COVID-19 impacts.

Food assistance

Here’s how to get access to food:

▪ The Central California Food Bank is preparing family size boxes with pantry goods. For locations, visit www.ccfoodbank.org/food-locator/ or call 559-237-3663 (you can send a friend or family member if you are unable to leave home). Some regular food distribution locations have been canceled so call or check the website first. The Food Bank is working in partnership with community organizations and local schools to establish regular neighborhood food distribution centers during the crisis.

▪ Catholic Charities will continue providing meals, diapers, and other essential supplies for those in need. Visit 149 N. Fulton St. from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or call 559-237-0851.

▪ To apply for CalFresh (food stamps/SNAP) benefits, visit this website: www.getcalfresh.org. A Wednesday executive order issued by Gov. Gavin Newsom waives the eligibility determination period for 90 days, for those already on assistance.

▪For seniors who have participated in the congregate nutrition program in the past month, the Fresno-Madera Agency on Aging is enrolling them in emergency home meal delivery. For more information, visit fmaaa.org for updates.

Meals at schools

Meal service is continuing at area schools:

▪Fresno Unified School District is offering free grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches for students and their families at all school sites on Wednesday from 9 a.m to 11 a.m. Starting on Thursday, food distribution will be available for students and their families at the following sites from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.: Addams, Columbia, Figarden, Hamilton, Lincoln and Wawona elementary schools; and Ahwahnee, Computech, Cooper Academy, Fort Miller, Kings Canyon, Scandinavian, Sequoia, Tehipite, Tenaya, Terronez, Tioga, and Yosemite middle schools.

▪In Clovis Unified, free breakfast and lunch will be available to anyone age 18 and under between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Clovis Elementary, Cole, Fancher Creek, Jefferson, Mickey Cox, Miramonte, Mountain View, Nelson, Pinedale, Sierra Vista, Tarpey, Temperance-Kutner, Valley Oak and Weldon, Clark and Kastner intermediate schools, and Clovis West, Clovis East, Clovis North and Buchanan high schools. Walk-up and drive-through options are both available. For more information on bus delivery meals locations and times in the morning, visit the CUSD website.

▪ In Central Unified, free grab-and go breakfast and lunch will be available to anyone ages 1 to 18 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Biola-Pershing, Hanh Phan Tilley, James K. Polk, Teague, and William Saroyan elementary schools and at Central East High School. Children must be present to receive a meal.

▪ In Sanger Unified, free grab-and-go breakfast and lunch will be available to anyone 18 or under between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Del Rey, Wilson, and Sequoia elementary schools, Washington Academic Middle School, and Sanger High School through April 3rd.

▪ The Boys and Girls Club of Fresno County will also be providing grab-and-go meals for club members. Members are encouraged to contact their local club for distribution times.

How to get food deliveries

If one cannot leave home or lacks transportation, there are some food delivery options:

▪ Bitwise Industries has offered to provide free grocery delivery for elderly or sick people in Fresno, Madera, and Tulare counties. Send the recipient, address, and shopping list to groceries@bitwiseindustries.com or call 559-460-7809.

▪ Khalsa Aid International is offering grocery and meal delivery for seniors, immunocompromised people, and lower-income families in Central California. For more support, visit instagram.com/khalsaaidusa and send a private message explaining what is needed.

▪ The Fresno chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America is organizing emergency COVID-19 aid, including meal preparation and delivery. To sign up for help, fill out this form.

Assistance with utility bills

If one cannot pay a utility bill, here are steps to take:

▪ PG&E won’t shut off your power if you can’t pay, as of March 12th. Flexible pay plans will be available for people who are able to show they have been impacted by COVID-19.

▪ For Fresno residents, the city has issued a 30-day moratorium as of March 16th on shutting off water or garbage services in case of non-payment due to COVID-19 impacts.

▪ For Clovis residents, the city has suspended water shut-offs in case of nonpayment until further notice.

Late on rent or mortgage

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Tuesday that allows local jurisdictions to halt evictions for renters and homeowners, as well as requests banks and financial institutions to stop foreclosures, through May 31. This does not prevent eviction nor foreclosure. The Fresno City Council will be discussing local eviction moratoria measures on Wednesday or Thursday, as reported here.

For Fresno renters, the City Council established a month-long moratorium on evictions on Thursday. Renters must formally notify their landlord if the COVID-19 crisis has impacted their ability to pay rent. Landlords would then be required to allow at least six months for tenants to catch up on their rent.

If you live in public housing, HUD has announced a national eviction moratorium, for tenants who cannot pay rent due to coronavirus impacts.

For homeowners with a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) backed mortgage, HUD announced Wednesday that it is suspending all foreclosure and eviction actions for the next 60 days, through mid-May.

For other assistance

▪ To get text updates on the coronavirus crisis and local response, text “coronavirus” to 211-211.

▪ For more questions on housing, food, utility, or income assistance, call 211, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, a service provided by the United Way of Fresno and Madera Counties.

This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 1:30 PM.