California COVID-19 Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, California is providing one-time first-come, first-serve state-funded disaster relief assistance to undocumented individuals who are ineligible for other forms of assistance, including assistance under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and pandemic unemployment benefits.

Who is eligible? Eligible individuals must be able to provide information that they (1) are an undocumented adult (person over the age of 18); (2) are not eligible for federal COVID-19 related assistance, like the CARES Act tax stimulus payments or pandemic unemployment benefits; and, (3) have experienced a hardship as a result of COVID-19.

This disaster relief funding is not subject to public charge: This disaster relief assistance is not means-tested and is one-time assistance. The federal government does not list this assistance as a public benefit for a public charge consideration. Accessing and receiving these funds do not subject you to public charge rules.

The California Department of Social Services has selected twelve immigrant-serving nonprofit organizations to help individuals apply for and receive this disaster relief assistance in their region. An undocumented adult who qualifies can receive $500 in direct assistance, with a maximum of $1000 in assistance per household. Read frequently asked questions.

Here is the list of organizations who have been assigned to give out disaster relief funds. Please contact them for assistance. The nonprofit organization will assist individuals with the application process, confirm their eligibility, and deliver a payment card to approved applicants.

If you are unable to receive these disaster relief benefits, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) has launched the California Immigrant Resilience Fund which seeks to raise $50 million to provide cash assistance to undocumented Californians and their families who are ineligible for COVID-19 federal relief and state safety-net programs. The Resilience Fund is a separate but complementary effort that disburses private contributions to help undocumented Californians weather economic hardship amidst this pandemic. To see a list of organizations distributing Resilience Fund disaster assistance visit www.immigrantfundca.org/

Stay safe!