Last updated: 8/18/20
Below are resources available for low-wage workers, undocumented immigrants, and those who have been excluded from the CARES Act and Federal Stimulus bill who are being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For those who need housing help
| Resource | Description | How to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Give2SF Housing Stabilization Program | For anyone regardless of immigration status who can’t afford rent, utitlities, or any other household essentials. Funding is limited and applications will be based on the severity of each househsold. Applicants may receive $3,000 | Website |
| COVID-19 Housing Retention Grants | Eviction prevention and housing-related expenses for Berkeley residents related to COVID-19. Applicants must have a signed rental agreement at or below 80% of Area Median Income. Maximum of $15,000 will be given. | Call (510) 548-4040 ext. 695 and leave a voicemail. Expect a call within 3-5 business days. |
| Moratorium on Evictions in CA | Guide on the COVID-19 eviction ban for California residents | News page |
| Draft Letter to Landlord | A template for a letter to landlords. For those who are unable to pay rent | Document is available in English and Spanish |
| CA Tenant Protections | Informatiaon on protecting CA tenants during COVID-19 | Available in English and Spanish |
| Just Shelter | Has a list of organizations that provide tenants rights, education, housing assistance, and legal aid | Web page |
| Eviction Moratorium for Oakland Tenants | Guide for Oakland tenants who are unable to pay for rent. | Document available in English and Spanish |
| Alamedia County Public Health Department – Isolation Housing | Temporary housing for homeless in Alameda county | Web Page |
| Hamilton Families | Housing services in San Francisco | Web Page |
| Keep Oakland Housed | Housing services in Oakland | Website |
For immigrants
Relief funds
| Relief Fund | Description | How to Apply | Notes (if available) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immigrant Workers Fund Program | For immigrants who are unable to get state or federal programs | Those eligible will get $200 for support services and $200 for food security | Open |
| California Disaster Relief for Immigrants | For undocumented adults who are ineligible for benefits such as the CARES Act and unemployment | Call 1 (415) 324-1011 to apply | Open |
| Mission Asset Fund | For individuals being left out of the government’s response to COVID-19. Max of $500 will be given. | Application | Currently there’s a waitlist |
| Oakland Undocument Relief Fund | For immigrant workers in Oakland who have lost their jobs | English application and Spanish application | Applications became available on March 28 |
| Sonoma Immigrant Services | Families in Sonoma county who are ineligible to get state or federal aid. | Either call (707) 996-6669 or email info@sonomaimmigrant.org | Waitlist |
General Resources
| Resource | Description | Resource link |
|---|---|---|
| East Oakland Dreamers | Resources for immigrants | Website |
| CIYAJA’s Resource List | Resources for undocumented immigrants living in California | Web page |
| Legal Aid at Work COVID-19/Coronavirus FAQ for Workers | Question 16 is about eligibility for benefits for undocumented workers. | Web Page |
| The Worker’s Guide – Your Rights | Guide on worker’s rights. Available in both English and Spanish | Web Page |
| Immigrants Rising | Has a list of resources and hosts virtual wellness gatherings for undocumented individuals | Website |
| United We Dream | Has information on eligibility on getting a federal stimulus package | Information is available in English and Spanish |
| Recursos para la Comunidad Indocumentada del Área de la Bahia | Has a list of resources for undocumented immigrants living in California | Available in Spanish |
| Alameda County Resources for Mixed-Status Families | Has a list of resources for Alameda county residents | Document |
| Protecting Immigrant Families | Resources for immigrant families such as food, medical, and unemployment | Web page |
| Canal Alliance | Resources for immigrants living in Marin County such as food and free COVID-19 testing | Web page |
Medical resources
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Public charge Exemption from COVID-19 | Public charge doesn’t restrict access from medical testing or treatment of illnesses, including COVID-19. | Web Page |
| Emergency Medi-Cal | Medical eligibility in California | Web Page |
Resources for those working under a legal status (TPS, DACA, visa)
NOTE: There are differing reports on whether applying for unemployment benefits will instigate public charge should an individual adjust their status in the future. If you need help, talk to your lawyer or clinic.
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| How to file for Unemployment Insurance | How to file for unemployment benefits. Those under a legal status can file for them | Website |
| UndocuBlack on public charge | Has information and a graphic on public charge | Web page |
Legal resources
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Easy Bay Sanctuary Covenant | Immigrant advocacy for Easy Bay residents | Website |
| Legal Aid at Work – National Origin and Immigrants’ Rights Program | Immigrant and ethnic workers’ rights | Web Page |
| Immigrant Family Defense Fund | Able to give bond money should a relative be in ICE custody | Website |
For COVID-19 Patients
| Relief Fund | Description | How to Apply | Notes (if available) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right to Recover | For San Francisco residents who have been tested positive for COVID-19. | Gives two weeks of minimum wage replacement or $1285. Individuals may also qualify for hotel rooms, food delivery, and other services | No application. Call 415-701-4817 or email workforce.connection@sfgov.org |
For Restaurant workers
| Relief Fund | Description | How to Apply | Notes (if available) |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Wage Fair Emergency Fund | Cash assistance for restaurant workers, delivery workers, car service drivers, personal service workers, and others who aren’t making enough income. | English Application and Spanish application | Cash will be given out once funding is available |
| USBG National Charity Foundation – Bartender Emergency Assistance Program | For bartenders, spouses, or children of bartenders who have been impacted. Must meet certain requirements to qualify. | Application or call (855) 655-8724 | Applications are reviewed the 15th of each month (there maybe be exceptions during times of crisis) |
| Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation | Emergency assistance for restaurant or bar employees or those who area employed by a restaurant or bar supplier | Applications are available in English and Spanish | Funds are available |
| Another Round, Another Rally Emergency Assistance | Hospitality workers such as dishwashers, bartenders, servers, bussers, chefs, cooks, sommeliers, managers, hosts, and cleaning staff can apply for $500 relief grants. | Website | Open |
For the formerly incarcerated
| Relief Fund | Description | Link | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root & Rebound | For California and South Carolina residents who are formerly incarcerated and systems-impacted in need of basic necessities. This also includes relatives or friends with criminal records. | Application | Target and Walmart gift cards will be given. |
For those in low-income households
Internet/Phone resources
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| SPECTRUM Internet | Giving 60 days of free wifi for low-income households | News article |
| Charter COMCAST | Free internet services for families with two children for 2 months. To apply, call (844) 488-8395. Additionally, the company is also offering free access to Xfinity wifi hotspots to everyone, including those who aren’t subscribers, for 60 days | Website |
| AT&T and Verizon | Both companies are suspending the termination of wireless, home phone or broadband service if customers are unable to pay their bills | AT&T and Verizon websites |
| T-Mobile | Customers with dat plans get unlimited data for the next 60 days | Web page |
| Internet Essentials – Application for Low-income households | Internet costs $9.95/month | Web page |
Relief funds
| Relief Fund | Description | How to Apply | Notes (if available) |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Mateo County Strong Emergency Financial Assistance | For San Mateo county residents who have lost their job due to COVID-19. Must show with either bank statements, paystubs, or other documents that family income within the last 30 days that area median income is 60% or below. | Web Page | FAQs in English and Spanish |
| Napa Valley Community Foundation | For Napa County residents in households where income is below 120% of Area Median Income and who don’t qualify for government-sponsored unemployment or paid family leave benefits. | Email efa@upvalleyfamilycenters.org if you’re a resident of Calistoga, St. Helena and surrounding areas. If you’re a resident of Napa and American Canyon, email efa@onthemovebayarea.org or call (707) 965-5010. | Waitlist available |
| Sacred Heart | Santa Clara county residents in households where income is less than 80% of average median income or who have documented income loss in connection to COVID-19 due to health, employment, or school/child care closures. | Information available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. | Funds have been used up, but there’s an interest list if funds are available |
Medical resources
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| HealthPAC | Low cost health program for low-income households in Alameda county | Document |
For those who need food access
| Organization | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Alameda County Food Bank | Food bank for Alameda county residents | Website |
| Peralta Park Food Distribution | Food distribution event in Oakland. Has passed | Flyer |
| Berkeley Food Network | Food pantry located in Berkeley. | Web page |
| Points of Light | Food delivery in Oakland. For families who are unable to get transportation within 8 AM- 12 PM. | Document |
| San Francisco Marin Food Bank | Food bank for San Francisco and Marin county residents | Website |
| OUSD Food Access | Food access from Oakland United School District that will be given to students and families of the district | Flyers |
| WCCUSD Food Access | Food access and other resources from West Contra Costa United School District. Will be available to students and families of the district | Web Page |
| SFSU Food Access | Free meals available to students and families of the San Francisco United School District during school closure | Web Page |
| Berkeley Unified Food Access | Free meals for children under 18 years of age | Web Page |
| Hayward Unified School District Food Access | Free food for students of the Hayward Unified School District | Web Page |
| San Mateo/Santa Clara School Closure Meal Sites | School sites where meals will be distributed within San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties | Spreadsheet |
For those who need utility resources
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| California Statewide Halt to Utility Shut Offs Until May | Article on eviction bans and statewide halt to utility shut offs in California | News article |
| Pacific Gas and Electric Company | Service disconnections have been halted and the company will give flexible plans to “customers who indicate either an empact or hardship as a result of COVID-19.” | Web Page |
For Domestic Workers
| Relief Fund | Description | How to Apply | Notes (if available) |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Domestic Workers Alliance Coronavirus Care Fund | Currently only available to domestic workers who have been involved with the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), chapters, affiliates, circles, and current Alia users. | Apply, sign up for information, or text RELIEF to 97779 to get updates from NDWA. | Closed |
For farmworkers
| Relief Fund | Description | How to Apply | Notes (if available) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund | Help out farmworkers. | Donation link | Funds currently not available |
For those who need health care access
| Resource | Description | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Find a Health Care Center | Find a health care center near you. Not all may provide COVID-19 testing | Website |