Millions of California workers have lost their jobs and income in the wake of the pandemic. The good news: help is a click away.
We've compiled a list of resources aimed at assisting Bay Area families and individuals who could use a hand.
UNEMPLOYMENT AND JOB SEARCH
- Employment Development Department: File an Unemployment Claim
- Workers Helping Workers: Unofficial Facebook Help Group
- Find a Job: CalJOBS job listings board
- Fina a Job: OnwardCA job listings board
- CA Workforce Questions: Contact Your Local Labor Commissioner
- Unfair Dismissal: How to File a Discrimination Complaint
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
- California financial help resources
- CalFresh (food stamps)
- Additional food help (P-EBT) for kids on free or reduced lunch
- Bay Area Food Banks (listed by area)
- Medi-Cal (health insurance)
- Denti-Cal (dental coverage):
- COBRA in CA (health coverage after you lose your job)
- IRS Stimulus: Economic Impact Payments
- IRS Extensions: filing and payment deadlines
- FTB Extensions: CA tax filing and payment deadlines
- California Public Utilities Commission: help with utility bills
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: mortgage, rent, and housing help
- CFPB student loan assistance
- Paid Sick Leave & COVID-19: State Guidance for Workers
- Disability & Paid Family Leave: Who Gets It and How
HELP WITH LOANS/CREDIT CARDS
If you don't see your bank, card issuer, or lender listed here, try contacting it directly with the number printed on your card or monthly statement.
RENT/EVICTIONS
- Bay Area Legal Aid: Free judicial help
- California Courts Guide to Evictions and Housing
- Landlords' Guidance: National Apartment Association
CONSUMER COMPLAINTS
- California Attorney General: report price gouging
- Department of Transportation: report airline problems
- FTC: report scams and rip-offs related to the pandemic
- FBI: report financial losses to scams
YOUR MONEY, HOME, & MORE
- Free credit report, available once per week during pandemic: https://www.annualcreditreport.com/
- Federal COVID-19 resources: https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus and https://www.coronavirus.gov/
- 401(k) and IRA Loans/Withdrawals: IRS Guidance
- Reverse Mortgages: FTC Step-by-Step Help
- Protecting Your Finances: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- DMV: Extensions for license renewal + vehicle registration info
David Barson, financial planner, joins NBC Bay Area’s Raj Mathai and Chris Chmura to answer your questions and provide tips on how to navigate finances during the pandemic.
NBC Bay Area's Raj Mathai and Chris Chmura answer questions from viewers surrounding unemployment and money during the pandemic.
Loree Levy with the EDD and financial planner David Barson join NBC Bay Area's Raj Mathai and Chris Chmura to examine what to look out for as the economy continues to move forward during the pandemic.
