California offers financial and health aid during COVID-19 crisis

The COVID-19 outbreak has hit L.A.’s most vulnerable families, including low-income single-earner households with school-age children.

The L.A. Trust participated in a statewide interagency conference call with California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and other officials outlining state services available to assist families during the COVID-19 event.

Among the highlights:

Unemployment

If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file for unemployment insurance. If you are expecting to return to your job after the dust settles, you do not have to be actively seeking new work during the outbreak. But you must be “able and available to work” to get these benefits, which generally range from $40 to $450 per week for up to six months. 

If you are sick or have been exposed

Individuals who are unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) can file a Disability Insurance claim. Disability Insurance provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50 to $1,300 a week. 

If you are caring for someone sick

Californians who are unable to work because they are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) can file a Paid Family Leave claim. Paid Family Leave provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. Benefit amounts are approximately 60 to 70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week.

Health resources

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has published additional and updated guidance for providers, beneficiaries and the public related to COVID-19:

• Fee-For-Service Prior Authorization – Section 1135 Waiver Flexibilities​​

• Fee-For-Service Pharmacy – Section 1135 Waiver Flexibilities

• CMS Approves First Wave of CA 1135 Waivers for COVID-19​​

• Provision of Care in Alternative Settings, Hospital Capacity, and Blanket 1135 Waiver Flexibilities​

• Alzheimer’s Association Guidance on COVID-19

• Guidance for FPACT Virtual/Telephonic Communications​

• FFS and Managed Care Telehealth and Virtual Communication Guidance

• State Fair Hearing Timeframe Changes – Managed Care

• State Fair Hearing Timeframe Changes – Fee For Service

  • Notice of Action – COVID-19 Extension​​

• State Fair Hearing Timeframe Changes – Behavioral Health

• APL 20-004 Emergency Guidance for Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Plans​​

• Guidance for Medi-Cal Dental Provider​s ​​

• Flexibility for California Community Transitions​​

• Guidance Relating to Non-Urgent, Non-Essential or Elective Procedures​​​

• Guidance for Emergency Medi-Cal Provider Enrollment​​

• COVID-19 FAQ Medication Assisted Treatment and Telehealth

• Guidance for Family PACT Providers, including Telephonic Client Enrollment and Re-certification

• Guidance for Targeted Case Management Provider​s​

Additional updates will be posted to the DHCS COVID-19 resource page.

This story was updated March 28, 2020 at 10:44 am.