Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants
ABOUT DRAI
California is providing one-time state-funded disaster relief assistance to undocumented adults who are ineligible for other forms of assistance, including assistance under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and pandemic unemployment benefits, because of their immigration status in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The California Department of Social Services has selected twelve immigrant-serving nonprofit organizations to help individuals apply for and receive this disaster relief assistance in their region. An undocumented adult who qualifies can receive $500 in direct assistance, with a maximum of $1000 in assistance per household.
WHEN TO APPLY
Individuals may begin applying on May 18, 2020. Assistance will be available until the funding is spent or until June 30, 2020, at the latest. Applicants will be considered on a first come, first served basis. Applicants may only seek assistance with the nonprofit organization(s) assigned to their county of residency.
HOW TO APPLY
The following nonprofit organizations will assist undocumented adults with their application in Northern California. Please call their hotline to apply.
Catholic Charities of California (415) 324-1011 ( Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara counties)
California Human Development Corporation (707) 228-1338 ( Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma Tehama, Trinity counties).
For nonprofits serving other regions/counties, please click here.
Note that funding is limited, and disaster relief application services and assistance are not guaranteed.
OTHER RESOURCES
If an individual is unable to apply for this disaster relief assistance, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) launched the California Immigrant Resilience Fund which seeks to raise $50 million to provide cash assistance to undocumented Californians and their families who are ineligible for COVID-19 federal relief and state safety-net programs. The Resilience Fund is a separate but complementary effort that disburses private contributions to help undocumented Californians weather economic hardship amidst this pandemic. To see a list of organizations distributing Resilience Fund disaster assistance visit www.immigrantfundca.org/
Other useful information about California services and programs for immigrants in the Guide for Immigrant Californians, including information about jobs, wages, and benefits, and small business and housing supports. Visit www.covid19.ca.gov and click on the Guide for Immigrant Californians tab.