Resource Guide for Unemployed Californians Now Available
California Desk
July 10, 2010
SACRAMENTO - Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim), chair of the Assembly Insurance Committee, announced the development of a comprehensive resource guide to help jobless workers find the basic resources they need until they find a job.
"Unfortunately, the United States Senate has not reauthorized any further unemployment benefit extensions," Solorio said. "Consequently, as of this week, 330,000 unemployed Californians have lost unemployment insurance, and that number is expected to rise to 406,000 by July 10th. This resource guide is to help those impacted by the Congressional impasse."
California is presently experiencing a 12.4 percent unemployment rate, with 2,227,000 people unemployed. Through June 12, 2010, an estimated 900,000 Californians have been helped with 100 percent federally funded unemployment insurance benefits. Without further Congressional action, claimants currently qualifying for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits in California will lose access to extended unemployment benefits.
"Any alternative means of government and private assistance should be made known. Now if constituents need help, at least we can provide real information," Solorio said. "If anyone knows of services not on the list, please contact my office."
In many parts of California, those seeking help can call 2-1-1 to learn about resources in their community. Some programs may have eligibility criteria. The resource guide includes the services below:
FINDING A JOB
One Stop Career Centers
Job search support and technical assistance. Visit www.edd.ca.gov.
Employment Development Department
Visit www.edd.ca.gov/jobs.
BASIC NECESSITIES ASSISTANCE
California Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)
Cash assistance to families with children and pregnant women in the last 120 days of pregnancy, who have little or no assets or income. Visit www.cdss.ca.gov/calworks or www.c4yourself.com.
General Assistance or General Relief
Counties make loans or grants to adults without children who have little of no assets or imcome. Visit www.cwda.org.
FOOD ASSISTANCE
Food Stamp Program
The Food Stamp Program helps low-income people buy nutritious food at most grocery stores and some farmer's markets. Visit www.c4yourself.com or call 1-877-847-3663.
Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) & Local Food Banks
In California, federal, state and local community organizations coordinate to ensure that groceries are available at local food banks. Visit www.cafoodbanks.org.
Free Summer Lunch Programs
Free lunches are available to all children under 18, regardless of income, every summer. Visit www.cde.ca.gov/summersites.
Women Infants and Children (WIC)
Pregnant women and children under six receive nutrition support at WIC. Visit www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/wicworks or call 1-888-942-9675.
Free and Reduced-Price Breakfast and Lunch
Available for qualifying students at selected California public schools when in session.
MEDICAL CARE AND HEALTHCARE COVERAGE
Medi-Cal
Pays for health care for certain low- and medium-income people. Apply at www.cwda.org/links/chsa.php or www.c4yourself.com.
County Health Program
Offers health care for low-income people not eligible for other help. Visit www.cwda.org/links/chsa.php or www.c4yourself.com.
Community Health Clinics
California Primary Care Association can help you find a community clinic. Visit www.cpca.org/resources/findclinic.
UTILITIES ASSISTANCE
California Alternative Rates for Energy Program (CARE)
Offers low-income consumers a 20 percent discount on energy bills. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy.
The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
Provides assistance in negotiating a more affordable payment to utility companies if a customer has trouble paying his/her energy, telephone, or water bill. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc/cec/b_paymentplan.htm.
Some utilities have emergency payment assistance programs for their customers. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Electric+Rates/billassist.htm.
Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program
Provides assistance to families with slightly higher incomes. FERA is available for customers of Southern Ca. Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Low+Income/fera.htm.
Low-Income Energy Efficiency Program
Provides no-cost weatherization for low-income households who meet the CARE income guidelines. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy.
Department of Community Services and Development
Connects people to home energy assistance, energy crisis intervention, and low-income weatherization programs. Visit www.csd.ca.gov.
Lifeline Telecommunications Program
Provides a discount for landline service, unlimited local incoming and outgoing calls. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/Telco.
ELDER SERVICES
Department on Aging
Assist elders and their families to identify services and opportunities. Visit www.aging.ca.gov.
LOW COST CAR INSURANCE
Department of Insurance
Learn about low-cost car insurance. Visit www.insurance.ca.gov.
CREDIT CARD DEBT RELIEF
Consumer Credit Counseling Services
A non-profit organization offering credit counseling. Visit www.cccsstl.org/debtsolutions.
The resource guide is a compilation of information gathered by the Assembly's Insurance and Labor and Employment committees, Budget Subcommittee No. 4, social service resource groups and state agency personnel.
The California Employment Development Department (EDD), which administers the unemployment insurance program, posted the resource guide at www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/pdf. The EDD website also has additional information for unemployed workers who are still receiving extended benefits, and notification of when their benefits will cease in the event Congress does not pass further extension legislation.
"Unfortunately, the United States Senate has not reauthorized any further unemployment benefit extensions," Solorio said. "Consequently, as of this week, 330,000 unemployed Californians have lost unemployment insurance, and that number is expected to rise to 406,000 by July 10th. This resource guide is to help those impacted by the Congressional impasse."
California is presently experiencing a 12.4 percent unemployment rate, with 2,227,000 people unemployed. Through June 12, 2010, an estimated 900,000 Californians have been helped with 100 percent federally funded unemployment insurance benefits. Without further Congressional action, claimants currently qualifying for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits in California will lose access to extended unemployment benefits.
"Any alternative means of government and private assistance should be made known. Now if constituents need help, at least we can provide real information," Solorio said. "If anyone knows of services not on the list, please contact my office."
In many parts of California, those seeking help can call 2-1-1 to learn about resources in their community. Some programs may have eligibility criteria. The resource guide includes the services below:
FINDING A JOB
One Stop Career Centers
Job search support and technical assistance. Visit www.edd.ca.gov.
Employment Development Department
Visit www.edd.ca.gov/jobs.
BASIC NECESSITIES ASSISTANCE
California Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs)
Cash assistance to families with children and pregnant women in the last 120 days of pregnancy, who have little or no assets or income. Visit www.cdss.ca.gov/calworks or www.c4yourself.com.
General Assistance or General Relief
Counties make loans or grants to adults without children who have little of no assets or imcome. Visit www.cwda.org.
FOOD ASSISTANCE
Food Stamp Program
The Food Stamp Program helps low-income people buy nutritious food at most grocery stores and some farmer's markets. Visit www.c4yourself.com or call 1-877-847-3663.
Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP) & Local Food Banks
In California, federal, state and local community organizations coordinate to ensure that groceries are available at local food banks. Visit www.cafoodbanks.org.
Free Summer Lunch Programs
Free lunches are available to all children under 18, regardless of income, every summer. Visit www.cde.ca.gov/summersites.
Women Infants and Children (WIC)
Pregnant women and children under six receive nutrition support at WIC. Visit www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/wicworks or call 1-888-942-9675.
Free and Reduced-Price Breakfast and Lunch
Available for qualifying students at selected California public schools when in session.
MEDICAL CARE AND HEALTHCARE COVERAGE
Medi-Cal
Pays for health care for certain low- and medium-income people. Apply at www.cwda.org/links/chsa.php or www.c4yourself.com.
County Health Program
Offers health care for low-income people not eligible for other help. Visit www.cwda.org/links/chsa.php or www.c4yourself.com.
Community Health Clinics
California Primary Care Association can help you find a community clinic. Visit www.cpca.org/resources/findclinic.
UTILITIES ASSISTANCE
California Alternative Rates for Energy Program (CARE)
Offers low-income consumers a 20 percent discount on energy bills. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy.
The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC)
Provides assistance in negotiating a more affordable payment to utility companies if a customer has trouble paying his/her energy, telephone, or water bill. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc/cec/b_paymentplan.htm.
Some utilities have emergency payment assistance programs for their customers. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Electric+Rates/billassist.htm.
Family Electric Rate Assistance (FERA) Program
Provides assistance to families with slightly higher incomes. FERA is available for customers of Southern Ca. Edison, San Diego Gas and Electric Company, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Low+Income/fera.htm.
Low-Income Energy Efficiency Program
Provides no-cost weatherization for low-income households who meet the CARE income guidelines. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy.
Department of Community Services and Development
Connects people to home energy assistance, energy crisis intervention, and low-income weatherization programs. Visit www.csd.ca.gov.
Lifeline Telecommunications Program
Provides a discount for landline service, unlimited local incoming and outgoing calls. Visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/Telco.
ELDER SERVICES
Department on Aging
Assist elders and their families to identify services and opportunities. Visit www.aging.ca.gov.
LOW COST CAR INSURANCE
Department of Insurance
Learn about low-cost car insurance. Visit www.insurance.ca.gov.
CREDIT CARD DEBT RELIEF
Consumer Credit Counseling Services
A non-profit organization offering credit counseling. Visit www.cccsstl.org/debtsolutions.
The resource guide is a compilation of information gathered by the Assembly's Insurance and Labor and Employment committees, Budget Subcommittee No. 4, social service resource groups and state agency personnel.
The California Employment Development Department (EDD), which administers the unemployment insurance program, posted the resource guide at www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/pdf. The EDD website also has additional information for unemployed workers who are still receiving extended benefits, and notification of when their benefits will cease in the event Congress does not pass further extension legislation.
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