Information & Resources
COVID-19 SCREENING AND TESTING
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, and may have had contact with a person with COVID-19 or who recently traveled to countries with apparent community spread, call your health care provider or local public health department first, prior to seeking medical care so that appropriate precautions can be taken.
California is working with Verily to launch a pilot program to expand access to COVID-19 screening and testing for high risk individuals, starting with the Bay Area. If you want to get tested for COVID-19 in Santa Clara or San Mateo County, you can complete the screener to see if you qualify for testing through this program. You will need internet access and a Google account.
FIANANCIAL ASSISTANT
Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or 2018 will automatically receive an economic impact payment of up to $1,200 for individuals or $2,400 for married couples and up to $500 for each qualifying child. For more information, please visit: www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know
The Santa Clara County Homelessness Prevention System is providing temporary financial assistance to help low-income residents who have lost income and are unable to pay rent as a result of COVID-related impacts. Eligible households will receive direct financial assistance, based on documented loss of income as a result of COVID-19 impacts, up to a maximum of $4,000 of lost income per month. For more information, please visit: www.sacredheartcs.org/covid19/
TAX RELIEF
The California Franchise Tax Board and the Internal Revenue Service have extended the deadline to file and pay state and federal taxes to July 15, 2020.
In addition, the California Franchise Tax Board and the Internal Revenue Service will waive interest and any late filing and payment penalties that would otherwise apply. The California Franchise Tax Board asks that taxpayers claiming the special COVID-19 relief write the name of the state of emergency (for example, COVID-19) in black ink at the top of the tax return to alert the Franchise Tax Board of the special extension period. If taxpayers are e-filing, they should follow the software instructions to enter disaster information.
The California State Association of Counties and the California Association of County Treasurers and Tax Collectors announced that counties will use all existing authority to cancel penalties and other charges for homeowners, small businesses, and other property owners that are unable to pay their property taxes due to circumstances caused by COVID‐19 on a case‐by case basis. For more information, please visit: www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/4.4.20-Property-Tax-Statement.pdf
FOOD RESOURCES
Many schools in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties are continuing to serve meals during school closures. Download the CA Meals for Kids app for free to find meals near you.
A complete list of school meal sites is also available here.
RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES
State and Federal Loans and Debt Relief
Small businesses can now apply for low-interest loans up to $10 million through the Paycheck Protection Program to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. These loans are first come, first serve. The U.S. Small Business Administration will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
The U.S. Small Business Administrations Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million. Small businesses can apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance of up to $10,000 to help small businesses experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application. This loan advance will not have to be repaid.
The California IBank Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program provides guarantees for loans of up to $50,000 for small business with up to 750 employees that may not qualify for federal funds.
The California Capital Access Program for Small Business is a loan loss reserve program which may provide up to 100% coverage on losses as a result of certain loan defaults.
The Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly. If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan.
The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing debt relief to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The U.S. Small Business Administration will automatically pay the principal, interest, and fees of current 7(a), 504, and microloans for a period of six months and automatically pay the principal, interest, and fees of new 7(a), 504, and microloans issued prior to September 27, 2020.
RESOURCES FOR WORKERS
The Employment Development Department (EDD) also provides a variety of support services to people who have lost their jobs or have had their hours reduced due to the impacts of COVID-19 in California. For more information, please visit: http://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm
PROTECTION FOR RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS
The Federal Housing Finance Agency has announced that it is suspending foreclosures for homeowners with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac for at least 60 days. For more information, please visit: www.fhfa.gov/Media/PublicAffairs/Pages/FHFA-Suspends-Foreclosures-and-Evictions-for-Enterprise-Backed-Mortgages.aspx
Additionally, the Department of Housing and Urban Development is halting foreclosures for homeowners with mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration for at least 60 days. For more information, please visit: www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/20-04hsgml.pdf
DMV CHANGES
Field offices are temporarily closed to the public statewide beginning March 27. Information on office openings will be announced by DMV in the near future.
The DMV continues to provide essential services via mail, online, virtual office, kiosks, its call center at (800) 777-0133, and available business partners.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed an Executive Order on March 30 temporarily waiving for 60 days the requirement for Californians with safe driving records to renew their driver license in-person at a DMV field office. The Executive Order also temporarily waives required in-person renewals for identification cards. The DMV is completing the programming necessary so that individuals who meet the criteria will be able to complete their renewal online or by mail beginning Wednesday, April 8.
The DMV previously announced a 60-day grace period for expired licenses and registrations so that at-risk populations can avoid required visits.
The Federal Government has announced that it will not begin enforcing REAL ID until October 1, 2021 (one year later than previously announced).
Please continue to check the DMV website for updates: www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
Local
San Mateo County Office of Education put together a resources page where families can find food and mental health assistance: www.smcoe.org/other/for-families/resources.html
State
For guidance from the California Department of Education, please visit: www.cde.ca.gov/ls/he/hn/coronavirus.asp
National
The U.S. Department of Education is temporarily waiving interest on all federally held student loans and has directed federal lenders to suspend student loan payments for 60 days. For more information, please visit: www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/delivering-president-trumps-promise-secretary-devos-suspends-federal-student-loan-payments-waives-interest-during-national-emergency