Labor and Workforce Resources

Coronavirus Labor & Workforce Resources

The City of Oxnard is working to support our businesses and workers during this emergency. Utilize the resources listed below for your needs.

Unemployment Benefits

If you have lost hours or wages due to the impact of the coronavirus, you are encouraged to file for unemployment benefits.

The CARES Act increases the premium over the usual rates of unemployment insurance and extends the length of unemployment benefit terms.

The Act provides an additional $600 increase over an applicant’s approved weekly benefit through July 31, 2020
Unemployment benefits have been extended for a period of 39 weeks
If you are self-employed, an independent contractor, or gig worker, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits; read more here.
Apply online here. Apply online En español here.

Due to current events, the Employment Development Department is experiencing a large increase in claims filed and is extending staff resources to keep up with the demand. For faster service, use UI Online to file your claim, certify for benefits, and get payment information.

Visit the California Employment Development Department for more information in English here, and En español here; or by phone in English at 1-800-300-5616; or Spanish 1-800-326-8937.

Check back soon for local technical support to help you with filing for unemployment benefits.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Disability and Paid Family Leave

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for reasons related to the coronavirus beginning April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

Check with your employer to confirm benefit eligibility if you, or a member of your household, has been impacted by the coronavirus.

Visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Q & A page here or phone (866) 487-9243.

If you’re unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 you may qualify for Paid Family Leave; more here.
If you’re unable to work due to medical quarantine or illness, you may qualify for Disability Insurance here.
If a worker or a family member is sick or for preventative care when civil authorities recommend quarantine, workers may use accrued paid sick leave in accordance with the law.
If workers are unable to do their usual job because they were exposed to and contracted coronavirus during the regular course of their work, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) to Assist Self-Employed, Independent Contractors and Gig Workers

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act created a special program called Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). This program provides federally funded benefits distinct from the UI program for certain individuals out of work or partially unemployed due to the COVID-19 crisis, including those who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular state UI benefits.

Federal guidelines on how to administer PUA include gig workers as an example of those eligible for PUA.

Under PUA, individuals can receive weekly unemployment assistance that may be equivalent to what individuals get under UI
PUA individuals qualify for the additional $600 per week for the time period of March 29 – July 31

PUA is retroactive, paying individuals who suffered loss of income due to COVID19 from February 2 – December 31
Payment turnaround time of 24-28 hours after a completed and successful application

The Employment Development Department will stand up a One-Stop Shop for individuals applying for unemployment insurance and the new federal PUA program starting April 28, 2020. Read about the PUA program here.

Disaster Relief Assistance Funding to Provide Financial Support for Immigrant Workers Affected by COVID-19

Governor Newsom announced a statewide public-private partnership that will provide $125 million in disaster relief assistance for working Californians. The disaster relief fund will support undocumented Californians impacted by COVID-19 who are ineligible for unemployment insurance benefits and disaster relief, including the CARES Act, due to their immigration status.

California will provide $75 million in disaster relief assistance and philanthropic partners have committed to raising an additional $50 million. Individuals can apply for support beginning next month. Read more here.

Food Pantries

View the updated list of food pantries in Oxnard and countywide, at the FOOD Share website here.

CalFresh

You may be eligible to get CalFresh benefits, which provides financial assistance for purchasing food to low-income California residents. Visit the CalFresh website here. If you are without money for food today, you may qualify for expedited services. For more information about emergency food – expedited services, visit CalFresh benefits here.

School Meals

Many Ventura County school districts are continuing to offer meal service for students while the State of California stay home order is in effect. Visit the Ventura County Office of Education website for a list of locations her e.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging is operating a food pantry delivery service as an extension of the Agency’s Senior Nutrition Program. This service is for residents 60 and older and people with disabilities. Click here to view the flyer for more information. The flyer is also available in Spanish and Mixteco.

Temporary Moratorium on Eviction for Non-Payment of Rent for Residential and Commercial Tenants

If you, or your tenant, have been impacted by the coronavirus during the period of the Local Emergency, please read the City’s official Order and Notice to all landlords and tenants in its entirety here: 3/19/20: Order of the Director of Emergency Services of the City of Oxnard Staying Evictions.

Mortgage Payment 90-Day Grace Period

Governor Newsom has announced a grace period for mortgage payments. Financial institutions will offer, consistent with applicable guidelines, mortgage payment forbearances of up to 90 days to borrowers economically impacted by COVID-19. For more information, visit the Office of Governor Newsom website here.

Relief Funds for Restaurant Workers

Relief Funds for Restaurant Workers, and general resources, are available on the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation website here.

Utility Information

The City of Oxnard will waive utility penalties, and will not discontinue service for delinquent accounts.

Counter service for utility payments was suspended however payments can be made through the drop boxes located outside the building at 214 South C Street, by phone at (805) 385-7816, online at www.oxnard.org, at any 7-Eleven store (cash only) or by mail: 214 South C Street, Oxnard, CA 93030.

SCE Offers Help to Customers Impacted by Coronavirus

SCE is helping customers with their bills by suspending service disconnections for nonpayment and waiving late fees for business and residential customers impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. Read about the program here.

Customers who are not eligible for income-qualified programs can work with SCE staff on payment arrangements that could spread out their payments and help during difficult times. Visit sce.com/billhelp or call 1-800-950-2356.

SoCalGas Support & Response

SoCalGas suspended service disconnections until further notice. This means no customer will have their natural gas turned off due to non-payment.

If your household income has recently changed, you may now qualify for 20% off your natural gas bill with CARE. Apply online here.

If you are currently on CARE, you will not be required to recertify.*

For customer service call 1-800-427-2200.

For Small Business Customers, SoCalGas is waiving late payment fees.

Tax Filing Extension

State Extension Filing Personal Taxes

The Franchise Tax Board announced special tax relief for California taxpayers affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Affected taxpayers are granted an extension to file 2019 California tax returns and make certain payments to June 15, 2020, for all tax filings and payments due between March 15, 2020, through June 15, 2020. For more information please visit the Franchise Tax Board website here.

Federal Extension Filing Personal and Business Taxes

Taxpayers can defer federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to qualify for this automatic federal tax filing and payment relief. For more information please visit the IRS website here.

Santa Barbara Community Foundation Grants

The Santa Barbara Foundation, United Way of Santa Barbara County, and Hutton Parker Foundation are leading a countywide collaborative with members of the Foundation Roundtable to provide assistance to individuals and families as well as organizations actively engaged in assistance efforts for members of the community affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit the Santa Barbara Foundation website here for more information; En Espanol here.

805 UndocuFund

The 805 UndocuFund has been reopened to serve immigrant families who are being impacted by the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). Applications to receive assistance will be opened soon. Read about the fund here.

Scam Alerts

Be vigilant during this public health emergency and avoid scams. Watch out for fraudsters that are taking advantage of emotions and urgency, by making yourself familiar with examples here, and reports of price gouging here.