This video is the first of a series of discussions with community members demonstrating leadership in managing the social determinants of a public health challenge.  In this episode, Dr. John Silva interviews Dr. Pedro Moreno about collaborative work to ensure safety for farm workers.

We have a pandemic of fear and a pandemic of poverty that make the COVID 19 pandemic so much more critical for farmworkers, says Pedro Moreno, a doctor who has worked with farmworkers in Salinas for 26 years.  We are "powerless but not hopeless", he says, as he describes the work of H-PEACE: Healthcare Providers for Equity, Ally-ship and Community Empowerment. They work together with other doctors, farmworkers, unions, attourneys, professors, Health Department leaders, politicians, agricultural growers and others with the goal of finding a common denominator, and learn from each other about how to protect farm workers in the face of the pandemics of fear, poverty and COVID 19.

COVID-19 + SDOH Update (5/17/2020)

Five Great Resources:

These organizations continue to update their COVID-19 pages with extremely useful up-to-date information.

1. The Western Center on Law and Poverty has an excellent California Statewide COVID-19 Information Page that includes regularly updated information on Food Security, Healthcare, Financial Security, and Housing.
2. The California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation has created a COVID-19 Resource Guide for Immigrant Communities available in English and Spanish. 
3. The Health Consumer Alliance’s COVID-19 Information Page has the latest on how to access healthcare, including updates on Medi-Cal, Medicare, Covered California, mental and behavioral health, dental care, and telehealth.
4. Legal Aid At Work’s COVID-19 FAQs has important information for workers regarding job-protected leave, replacement income programs, anti-discrimination protects, and more.
5. Farmworker Justice has a COVID-19 Resource Page for Farmworkers with links to COVID-19 workplace safety and other information available in various languages, including indigenous Mexican languages.

Access to Healthcare

New CRLA Resource: Check out CRLA's COVID-19 Access to Healthcare in California video, available in Spanish and English (and soon to be dialects of Mixteco and Triqui)!

1. All California health insurance plans are required to cover the entire cost coronavirus testing, and must provide coverage for treatment too.  

1. This includes all Medi-Cal plans, even Medi-Cal plans that provide coverage to low-income California residents regardless of immigration status such as restricted-scope ("emergency") Medi-Cal coverage and the new COVID-19 Presumptive Eligibility Program.  Even if someone is undocumented, they can still get coverage for the entire cost of testing and emergency treatment until after they are stabilized and no longer need emergency services.

1. COVID-19 related services will NOT harm someone’s current or future immigration case (The new public charge rule will not consider testing and treatment for coronavirus, even if Medi-Cal pays for the testing and treatment).
2. If you do not have any health insurance at all right now, or lose coverage in the future because your work hours are reduced or you get laid off due to coronavirus, consider applying for a plan through:  

1. Covered California, the marketplace for private health insurance that offers discounted plans; 
2. Medi-Cal, the state’s free or low-cost health insurance for low-income Californians; 
3. Medicare, the federal health insurance program for those 65 and over or disabled; or
4. Federal COBRA and Cal-COBRA programs, which may allow some to people continue their employer-sponsored health care coverage when a job ends or hours are reduced.

1. Medi-Cal and Covered California have issued many policy changes to help Californians keep or get coverage.  Among them:

1. All Medi-Cal redeterminations have been put on hold, meaning those who already have Medi-Cal are not currently at risk of their losing coverage.  
2. Covered California has opened a new special enrollment period that will last through June for those experiencing job loss or reduced hours due to COVID-19. 

1. California has created a new “Medi-Nurse” line available for uninsured Californians and Medi-Cal patients without a health plan (fee for service). The line – 1-877-409-9052 – is available 24/7 for COVID-19 concerns or for general medical issues. Those who have health insurance may visit covid19.ca.gov/telehealth/ to find their health insurance plan’s telehealth and nurse help lines. 

For help with access to healthcare and insurance coverage, Californians can call the Health Consumer Alliance (HCA) at 888‑804‑3536 for a free, confidential consultation and information. TTY 877‑735‑2929.  For more information, see here.

Work + Financial Security:

New CRLA Resource: Check out CRLA's Guide to COVID-19 Replacement Income and Job-Protected Leave for California Workers (available in Eng. and Span.).

Many California residents have lost work or experienced a reduction in hours because of coronavirus (COVID-19). Other Californians whose workplace is still open might need time off to care for themselves or a loved one.  Many of these workers may be entitled to some time off for coronavirus-related absences, and/or eligible for some form of wage replacement while they are not working.  Eligibility for job-protected leave and wage replacement benefits depends on the size of the employer, the work history of the employee, the reason the employee is seeking leave, and in some cases the employee's immigration status.  CRLA's Guide to COVID-19 Replacement Income and Job-Protected Leave for California Workers provides an overview of the replacement income and job-protected leave programs available to California’s workers, and can help orient workers to the programs that may be right for them.  

Here is some info on a few other financial security programs:

1. Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants Project: The one-time disaster relief assistance to undocumented adult immigrants impacted by COVID-19, who are ineligible for most other forms of pandemic assistance, including direct assistance under the CARES Act and unemployment insurance.  

1. This week the California Department of Social Services updated the program's website with additional information about eligibility criteria and released the list of 12 non-profit agencies that will be in charge of administering the funds (each agency has been assigned to assist one of California 8 regions).  It is important to note that these agencies will not be accepting applications prior to May 18, 2020. Further, the assistance is on a first come first served basis so it is very likely that this money will go fast. 

1. Economic Impact Payments (also referred to as stimulus payments): Provides direct payments on a sliding scale of up to $1,200 per adult and $500 per child, depending on income and immigration status. 

1. Only those immigrants with legal permanent residency (i.e. a green card) or who are "resident aliens" will qualify (this includes people with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS)).  Many people who meet these prerequisites will still be disqualified from receiving cash payments if they have a spouse or child who does not have a valid Social Security number (i.e. many mixed status families).  Undocumented people are not eligible for these payments. More information available here and here.

1. Pandemic EBT (P-EBT): Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school will get extra food benefits. These food benefits are called Pandemic EBT or P-EBT benefits. P-EBT benefits help families in California buy food when schools are closed because of the coronavirus emergency.  

1. Families will get up to $365 per eligible child on their P-EBT card to use on food and groceries.  Families with children who get CalFresh, Medi-Cal or Foster Care benefits do not need to apply. Most will get their P-EBT card in the mail during the month of May. P-EBT cards will begin arriving around May 12, 2020.  Families with children who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals and who do not get their P-EBT card in the mail by about May 22, 2020 must apply online before June 30, 2020. The online application will be available beginning May 22, 2020 at ca.p-ebt.org.

For help with time off, replacement income programs, or other COVID-19 related work questions, workers can contact California Rural Legal Assistance in Monterey County at 831-757-5221 or in Santa Cruz County at 831-724-2253.  See here for a full list of CRLA locations and contact information.  This Legal Aid At Work FAQ has great information for workers and will be continuously updated as new information becomes available.  The Employment Development Department’s UI instructional videos, available in several languages, can provide helpful guidance to applicants.  EDD’s COVID-19 page also has pertinent information related to Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave.  The Center for Workers’ Rights has a Spanish language webinar recording about Unemployment Insurance and COVID-19.

Housing:

New CRLA Resource: Check out CRLA's COVID-19 Housing Rights One-Pager (in Eng. And Span.).  The COVID-19 Housing Rights One-Pager can be used anywhere in California.

The California Court system has issued emergency rules that suspend most evictions during shelter-in-place from April 6 until 90 days after the Governor lifts the state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic or until the California Courts amend or repeal these new emergency rules (details below).  These protections are in addition to (1) Governor Newsom’s more narrow Executive Order banning the enforcement of eviction orders for renters affected by COVID-19 through May 31, 2020; and (2) Local renter protections put in place by some California cities and counties.  Renters who are not able to pay their rent or who have received notices of eviction should seek out legal assistance immediately.

1. The California Courts’ Emergency Order effectively halts most evictions during the COVID-19 state of emergency unless allowing the case to proceed is “necessary to protect public health and safety.”  Here is a brief analysis of the Order.  Unless allowing the case to proceed is “necessary to protect public health and safety”: 

1. The courts may not issue a summons in any new eviction case (i.e. unlawful detainer case).  This means that the even though a landlord has filed a new case in court to evict a tenant, the case may not proceed until these rules are lifted.  
2. For cases already past the initial step of a summons, courts may not enter judgment against a tenant for failure to appear in court.  In addition, all trials are delayed for at least 60 days.
3. The Superior Court of Monterey released an FAQ regarding its implementation of the Judicial Council’s order. Of note is that relief (in the form of a stay of eviction) may be available to tenants who have already lost in court and received an order of eviction. (See Q-6 for more).

1. Governor Newsom has issued an executive order banning the enforcement of eviction orders for renters affected by COVID-19 through May 31, 2020. It requires tenants to declare in writing, no more than seven days after the rent comes due, that the tenant cannot pay all or part of their rent due to COVID-19.
2. In addition to the new California Courts’ Emergency Rules and the Governor’s Executive Order, some California cities and counties have put in place local tenant protections.  The terms of each specific local moratorium are different and may provide additional protections above and beyond the California Courts’ rules and Governor Newsome’s Executive Order. 

For help with housing issues related to COVID-19, tenants can contact California Rural Legal Assistance in Monterey County at 831-757-5221 or in Santa Cruz County at 831-724-2253.  See here for a full list of CRLA locations and contact information.  This COVID-19 Renter's Guide from Tenant's Together is also a valuable resource for renters. 

Immigration:

1. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has released a statement describing its intention to “not carry out enforcement operations at or near health care facilities, such as hospitals, doctors' offices, accredited health clinics, and emergent or urgent care facilities, except in the most extraordinary of circumstances.” The statement also says that “Individuals should not avoid seeking medical care because they fear civil immigration enforcement.”
2. All non-detained hearings scheduled through May 29, 2020, have been postponed.  At the San Francisco Detained Immigration Court, hearings are moving forward as scheduled.  EOIR has created a website dedicated to immigration court updates. People can call the EOIR automated hotline (1 (800) 898-7180) and provide their “A” number and a recording will provide them with information about their case
3. All U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices, asylum offices, and Application Support Centers (ASCs) will not provide in-person services (including interviews, naturalization ceremonies, and biometric collection appointments) until at least June 4, 2020. USCIS will continue to provide emergency services during this time. USCIS field offices will send de-scheduling notices to applicants and petitioners with scheduled appointments impacted by the closure. All applicants will be rescheduled when USCIS resumes normal operations. It is important to make sure USCIS has a current address on file.
4. ICE / ISAP Check-Ins: ISAP Officers should call to inform individuals that in-person check-ins are cancelled until further notice. If someone has not yet been contacted, they should consider calling their ISAP officer for more information. 

California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation's COVID-19 Resource Guide for Immigrant Communities (updated 5/8/2020) has additional immigration information.  For help with immigration issues, visit https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/legaldirectory/ and see immigration referrals below: