FIND OUT WHO’S HIRING RIGHT NOW:

• Root & Rebound has compiled a list of employers hiring now – linked here
• In California, Gov. Newsom announced a new job site to help workers impacted by COVID-19 find employment and other essential resources: onwardca.org

National:

• IRS Website on “Economic Impact Payments- What you need to know”
• Coronavirus Unemployment: How to Apply for Benefits If You Lose Your Job
• Employment Opportunities During the Coronavirus Pandemic

California:

• Legal Aid at Work: Coronavirus – Frequently Asked Questions 
• CA Labor and Workforce Development Agency: Benefits for Workers Impacted by COVID-19
• CA Employment Development Department: Q&A: Benefits available corona 
• CA Governor’s Executive Order: Waives one week waiting period for unemployment/disability benefits
• CELA Worker’s Rights FAQ 
• Labor & Workforce Development Agency: CA Workers’ Right’s & COVID-19
• US Equal Opportunity Commission: What You Should Know About the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and COVID-19
• Coronavirus Job Protection Helpline: 916-905-1625
• The Worker’s Guide: Your Rights During COVID-19
• April 4, Governor Newsom signed an executive order to expand access to childcare to our essential workers linked here.
• Additional Sick Time Protections for San Francisco and San Jose Residents. More information linked here

South Carolina:

• COVID-19 and Unemployment Insurance Benefits Fact Sheet 
• DHEC Interim Guidance for Employers and Businesses

National:

• Helpful FAQ about the $1200 stimulus checks approved through the new federal CARES Act: https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-stimulus-package-questions-answers.html
• Stimulus Check Fact Sheets: English, Spanish
• PBS/Health/How to Help Neighbors
• Ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in different languages

California:

• A great summary of benefits available in California here: Coronavirus Information & Resources
• Gov. Newsom Executive Order regarding Public Benefits: Executive Order issued March 18th, 2020 – linked here.
  • The Order waives eligibility re-determinations for 90 days for Californians who participate in: Medi-Cal health coverage; CalFresh food assistance; CalWORKS; Cash Assistance for Immigrants; and In-Home Supportive Services
  • The change will allow current recipients of these safety net programs to continue receiving them without interruption.
• Emergency Medical Benefits (also available to Undocumented People): Medi-Cal Eligibility and Covered California – Frequently Asked Questions
• COVID-19 related Unemployment Benefits Application
• File a Paid Family Leave Claim in SDI Online
• CalFresh Application
• Social Security & Coronavirus
• Transitions Clinic Fact Sheet 
• COVID-19 Fact Sheet for People in Reentry
• Bay Area:
  • COVID-19 Alameda County Rapid Response Resources
  • Alameda County COVID-19 info
  • San Francisco: Crisis Support & Mental Health Support Information

South Carolina:

• DHEC offers 100% of WIC Nutritional Services over the phone (no in-person appointment necessary
• Free Virtual COVID-19 Screenings through Telemedicine Services:
  • Lowcountry:  Beaufort Memorial Hospital
  • Lowcountry:  Roper St. Francis
  • Charleston:  MUSC
  • PeeDee:  McLeod Health
  • Midlands and Upstate:  Prisma Health

National:

• The Formerly Incarcerated Small Business Rescue Fund: a mutual aid project to raise money for formerly incarcerated business owners excluded from coronavirus relief funding because of their record. Apply here.

California:

• Root & Rebound: Emergency Basic Necessities Fund
• A New Way of Life Reentry Project: Response Fund
• Berkeley Relief Fund: Application
• Oakland Fund for Public Innovation: Relief Fund
• Service Worker Relief Funds:
• One Fair Wage Emergency Fund
• Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
• Hospitality Worker Relief Fund
• Los Angeles-Angeleno Card Application
• East Bay Meditation Center COVID-19 Relief Fund
• Starting Over: Relief Fund

South Carolina:

• United Way: Greenville County Community Relief Fund

National:

• National Consumer Law Center’s Guide to Surviving Debt (free during COVID-19)

California:

• Franchise Tax Board Suspends Collections of Debt Owed to Government Agencies

National:

• Search for any COVID-19 Emergency Tenant Protections in your area through the Anti-Eviction Mapping Project’s website, linked here.
• Foreclosure and Mortgage Protection under CARES Act

South Carolina:

• The Chief justice in South Carolina has halted eviction proceedings until May 1st, except in “matters that involve essential services and/or harm to person or property.”  A copy of the order is linked here.
• Statewide eviction and foreclosure moratorium extended to May 15, 2020
• SC Thrive COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program
  • Applicants must meet a number of requirements to qualify for the program — and you can learn more HERE. 
  • To see a checklist of documents required for application, click HERE.
  • Those interested in applying for rental assistance through the COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program can do so now using Thrive Hub HERE.

California:

•  DMV: The California DMV offices will no longer be taking in-person appointments to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Essential services will continue by mail, through available online services, kiosks, virtually and other means. Check out their website (linked here) for up-to-date information.

South Carolina:

• South Carolina DMV is currently open for appointments only. See updates here.

National:

• Article: These internet companies are expanding their WiFi, hotspot coverage for Americans.
  • AT&T Program during COVID-19
  • Comcast Program during COVID-19
• Most cell phone carriers and internet providers have signed a national pledge to provide certain benefits during the COVID-19 emergency. The pledge requires companies to provide service to people unable to pay their bills due to COVID-19, waive certain fees, and ease data restrictions so consumers can use data during the emergency. Find out here if your company signed the pledge.

California:

• Utilities/Energy: PG&E and our local Community Choice energy providers have suspended shutoffs during the crisis.

California:

• Find school districts & locations offering ‘grab-and-go’ meals during the COVID-19 school closures here. There’s also an app to help families locate meals here.
• The private company Expensify is offering a $50 SNAP Grocery Reimbursement for families who receive food benefits.
• Resource Guide for Los Angeles and Bay Area: Our partner created a google doc to of resources to help people who are affected by COVID-19, either medically or financially. Updated daily at 2pm PT. The guide includes basic needs resources such as food, financial assistance, and childcare resources.
• Bay Area:
  • All East Bay utility companies have suspended service disconnections due to non-payment during the COVID-19.
  • San Francisco Food Bank Locator
  • San Francisco Transitions Clinics
  • Bay Area Community Resources Search Tool: Food, Medical Assistance etc.

South Carolina:

• Greenville and Richland Counties: Emergency Food Services
• SC Department of Social Services: Additional SNAP Allotment
• Triune Mercy Center

California:

• California’s Department of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO) is announcing changes to parole practices in California
• 290 Registration during Pandemic – ACSOL recommendations
• Read Governor Newsom’s Executive Order regarding changes to releasing youth from DJJ
• Read California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s advisory to County Sheriffs and Probation Officers abouy their authority to release people early from county jail and probation

South Carolina:

• South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services: Updates

• California:
  • Find COVID-19-related briefs and documents for criminal defense attorneys, the current status of superior courts, and more.
  • The California State Supreme Court has issued the following guidance on criminal matters in response to COVID-19
• South Carolina:
  • South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) is posting updates about its response to COVID-10 is posted online here.

• National:
  • Marshall Project’s National Tracker re Court Operations

• California:
  • How COVID-19 Is Impacting California Courts: Roundup of Services
• South Carolina:
  • List of Courts that are open and the services they provide

National:

• Prison Holistic Self-Care and Protection
• Correctional Facilities In The Shadow Of COVID-19: Unique Challenges And Proposed Solutions

California:

• CDCR Covid-19 Preparedness Update
• PAN’s Self-Help Litigation Guide for State Habeas Corpus Petitions Related to COVID-19: This Guide offers a primer on petitioning a California superior court for release due to COVID-19 exposure and CDCR practices in prisons. It can be used to seek release or a change in conditions, although the focus is on release. It is designed for individuals who are representing themselves (pro per), with instructional sections as well as template legal memos of Points and Authorities for the habeas petition and application for a Temporary Restraining Order seeking immediate release.

California:

• California Youth Justice Alliance: General Resources for Undocumented People/Ask to release from detention  
• California Immigrant Policy Center: COVID-19 Resource Guide for Immigrants in California
• San Francisco Fund for Undocumented People: UndocFund SF
• Legal Aid At Work: New List of Relief Funds for Undocumented Workers in California
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants

National:

• GLAAD Transgender Resources
• Trans Health and COVID-19

National:

• Hotline and COVID-19 Tips while Social Distancing www.thehotline.org
• Self Care for Survivors of Abuse

California:

• California Partnership to End Domestic Violence: Resources and Information

National:

• Communication FIRST: COVID-19 Disability Rights Toolkit
• Disability Justice Collective: Disabled Folks Support Request Form

California:

• Oakland at Risk Match: Matching low-risk people with elders or immunocompromised people for support
• Alameda County: Alameda County Social Services Senior Housing Guide
• South Carolina:
  • Protection and Advocacy for those with Disabilities Inc: COVID-19 Resources

South Carolina:

• AARP South Carolina COVID-19 Resource

California:

• Voting: The following Special Elections will use vote-by-mail procedures following an Executive Order by the Governor (issued March 20, 2020)
• Request an absentee ballot from California

National:

• Stanford’s Code in Place: Free coding education in the time of COVID-19
• Student Loans: 
  • Federal Student Loans can be paused for two months without interest accruing. (Must reach out to the loan provider to set this up).
  • What the CARES Act Means for Repayment of Federal Student Loans

• California:
  • RYSE: COVID-19 Resource List
  • GLIDE Foundation
  • Saint Anthony’s Foundation
  • Oasis Legal Service COVID-19 Resource Directory
• South Carolina:
  • South Carolina appleseed Legal Justice Center: South Carolina COVID-19 Resources & Response
  • United Ministries: Extensive List of South Carolina Resources

National:

• National Disaster Legal Aid: Home Page
• National Disaster Legal Aid: Advocacy Page

California:

• Western Center on Law & Poverty: Coronavirus Information & Resources
• Bay Area Legal Aid: BayLegal’s Coronavirus Response
• Disaster Legal Services CA: COVID-19 Legal Resources & Announcements
• The Justice Collaborative: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Response & Resources
• California-Based Legal Resources for vulnerable people and families during the Coronavirus

South Carolina:

• Charleston Legal Access
• Charleston Pro Bono
• South Carolina Legal Services
• South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Program: online question portal

California:

• California state government’s webpage on COVID-19
• Governor Newsom’s COVID-19 Executive Orders
• California Supreme Court Guidance

Join the California COVID-19 listserv! To stay up-to-date on our advocacy efforts, please email Sonja at [email protected] to be added to the COVID-19 Criminal Justice Advocacy listserv.

Read the letter that Root & Rebound wrote with 60+ organizations and advocates joining us to California leaders including the directors of Parole and Probation agencies across the state, outlining critical steps the state needs to take to protect people on supervision (parole, probation and PRCS), their families, and public health.

Read the letter we signed onto to California Governor Gavin Newsom and key members of his team, calling for the release of elderly and medically fragile people from state prisons, and people close to the end of their sentence.

Read the letter we signed onto asking California Attorney General (AG) Xavier Becerra to take immediate steps to protect people in jail, prison, and courtrooms across the state. One positive update is the AG published an advisory on April 14th to all County Sheriffs and Probation Officers about their authority to release people during COVID-19 and similar emergencies to protect people’s health and safety.

Read the letter Root & Rebound and our partner Soteria CDC wrote to South Carolina Governor McMaster, Attorney General Wilson, SCDC Director Adger, and other criminal justice system stakeholders including Solicitors and Defense Attorneys, advocating for a swift response to protect incarcerated individuals across the state.

Read the article about ACLU calling for release of people in prison and immigration detention who are vulnerable to COVID-19.

Read the letter Root & Rebound and partners wrote to Chief Justice Beatty requesting a statewide eviction moratorium.

Read the amicus brief we filed along with our partners around civil asset forfeiture.

Keep track of policy activity happening across the country through this multi-state COVID-19 policy tracker.

Understand best practices to help deal with the virus in federal & state prisons and local jails. The website includes sample letters to send to government officials urging prompt, responsible action to help incarcerated people.

Read about why we need to support people in immigration detention and those vulnerable to ICE enforcement practices.

Prison Policy Initiative has summarized state-based efforts to reduce the number of people in jail and prison during COVID-19.

ACLU demands release of vulnerable people in jail and prison across the country.

Sign this Color-of-Change petition asking New York’s governor to stop exploiting NY’s prisoners during this crisis.