Sacramento to Big Bear Lake
The Latest Coronavirus Info
Assemblyman
Jay Obernolte represents the 33rd Assembly District, which includes
the San Bernardino County communities of Adelanto, Apple Valley, Baker,
Barstow, Big Bear City, Big Bear Lake, Big River, Crestline, Fort Irwin,
Hesperia, Johnson Valley, Lake Arrowhead, Lenwood, Lucerne Valley, Needles, Oak
Hills, Phelan, Running Springs, Silver Lakes, Trona, Twentynine Palms Base,
Twin Peaks and Victorville.
TO: The Public & Constituents of State 33rd Assembly
District -
FROM: Assemblyman Jay Obernolte
In response to help workers and employers concerns about
the Coronavirus Crisis, here is the State of California update, as of Thursday
March 12th.
CORONAVIRUS BY THE
NUMBERS IN CALIFORNIA (as of
3/11/2020) :
· 198 positive cases
· 4 deaths
Of all the confirmed positive cases:
- Age
0 – 17: 3 cases
- Age
18 – 64: 104 cases
- Age
65+: 67 cases
- Unknown: 26
cases
·
Approximately 10,320 people are self-monitoring, across 49 local
health jurisdictions, after returning to the U.S. from travel.
·
Nineteen public health labs in California are testing for
COVID-19.
·
More public health labs will soon be able to test for COVID-19.
This means California public health officials will get test results sooner, so
that patients will get the best care.
·
HOW THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA IS HELPING
·
WORKERS &
EMPLOYERS:
·
Workers
Sick or Quarantined
·
If you’re unable to work due to having
or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you
can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim.
DI provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have a 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-$1,300 a week.
·
For guidance on the disease, visit
the California Department of Public Health website.
·
Caregiving
·
If you’re unable to work because you
are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by
a medical professional), you can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim.
PFL 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 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from
$50-$1,300 a week.
·
Reduced Work Hours
If your employer has reduced your hours or shut
down operations due to COVID-19, you can file
an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim. UI
provides partial wage replacement benefit payments to workers who lose their
job or have their hours reduced, through no fault of their own. Workers who are
temporarily unemployed due to COVID-19 and expected to return to work with
their employer within a few weeks are not required to actively seek work each
week.
However, they must
remain able and available and ready to work during their unemployment for each
week of benefits claimed and meet all other eligibility criteria. Eligible
individuals can receive benefits that range from $40-$450 per week.
Employers/Small Business Owners
Workplace Health and Safety
For information on protecting workers
from COVID-19, refer to the Cal/OSHA Guidance on Coronavirus.
Businesses and employers can visit
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for
help with planning and responding to COVID-19.
Reduced Work Hours
Employers experiencing a slowdown in
their businesses or services as a result of the coronavirus impact on the
economy may apply for the UI Work Sharing Program. This program allows
employers to seek an alternative to layoffs — retaining their trained employees
by reducing their hours and wages that can be partially offset with UI
benefits. Workers of employers who are approved to participate in the Work
Sharing Program receive the percentage of their weekly UI benefit amount based
on the percentage of hours and wages reduced, not to exceed 60 percent.
Visit: Work Sharing Program to learn more about its
benefits for employers and employees, and how to apply.
Potential Closure or Layoffs
Employers planning a closure or major
layoffs as a result of the coronavirus can get help through the Rapid Response
program. Rapid Response teams will meet with you to discuss your needs, help
avert potential layoffs, and provide immediate on-site services to assist
workers facing job losses. For more information, refer to the Rapid Response Services for Businesses Fact Sheet (DE
87144RRB) (PDF) or contact your local America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM
Tax Assistance
Employers experiencing a hardship as
a result of COVID-19 may request up to a 60-day extension of time from the EDD
to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without
penalty or interest. A written request for extension must be received within 60
days from the original delinquent date of the payment or return.
>>For
questions, employers may call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center.
· Toll-free from the U.S. or
Canada: 1-888-745-3886
· Hearing impaired (TTY):
1-800-547-9565
· Outside the U.S. or Canada:
1-916-464-3502
>> For
more information on the Coronavirus,
please visit the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention website by clicking here.
I will keep you informed as this
situation develops.
It is an honor to represent you.