Benefits for Individuals
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you are a resident of Riverside County housed between the months of June and November looking for one-time direct rental assistance. | United Lift will administer $33 million in rental assistance between the months of June and November, with the first round of payments expected to be dispersed in early July. | The rental assistance is intended to cover 100 percent of total past due rent, up to $3,500 per household. Funding for the program is limited to cover past due rent from April 2020 to November 2020. | Learn more at unitedlift.org | The first application window will be open from June 15 through June 25. Following the initial window, applications will be open every month through for a period of 10 days. Apply at: unitedlift.org |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you are a restaurant employee who has been adversely impacted by COVID-19, whether through a loss of wages or loss of employment | Grants provided to restaurant employees for essential expenses | Each approved grant is for $500, per person | Learn more at refr.us | Please apply at refr.us |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you are a currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate student. | Funding provided through the CARES Act for universities to provide special grants for unmet financial need and extra expenses caused by COVID-19. | The federal grants offered through the CARES Act provide aid to students needing financial assistance for school in the midst of COVID-19. | The existing Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) program, under the Department of Education, is administered directly by the financial aid office at each participating school. Not all schools participate. Students must check with their school’s financial aid office to find out if the school offers the FSEOG program. | Additional information regarding these grants can be found online at studentaid.gov |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you are currently enrolled in school and were receiving work-study grants and actively working in a work-study job prior to COVID-19 | Relief provided through the CARES Act that offers funding for students in work-study programs that were impacted by COVID-19. | The federal work-study program provides part-time jobs to students with financial needs allowing them to earn money to help pay education expenses. The program is offered through the Department of Education and administered directly by the financial aid office at participating schools. | Students in the program may be eligible for payment for lost wages due to COVID-19. Eligible students may be paid all or part of the wages they would have made had they continued working. | Students who believe they are eligible should contact their school’s financial aid office. Additional information about this program can be found online at studentaid.gov |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you have lost your job or have had your hours reduced for reasons related to COVID-19 | Funding provided through the CARES Act for training and support services administered by the Department of Labor (DOL). | These programs benefit a wide range of individuals, including but not limited to, dislocated workers, seniors, farmworkers, veterans, disabled, youth, etc. The programs are aimed to improve the employment prospects of these individuals and are designed to increase workers’ employability and earnings. | The programs are delivered through the states and tailored to local economies. Additional information about these programs can be found online at dol.gov | Find information on local training programs by contacting your local American Job Center or contacting Employment and Training Administration's toll-free helpline at 1-877-US2-JOBS. |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you are 65 years of age and older, or a young adult with disabilities. | The CARES Act provides enhanced Medicare coverage for COVID-19 related services, including lab tests, medically necessary hospitalizations, and telehealth services. | Expanded coverage of telehealth services for all qualifying Medicare recipients. | Additional informational about eligibility, types of coverage, out of pocket costs, and services provided can be found online at medicare.gov | Apply online at ssa.gov |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you are a struggling homeowner seeking mortgage relief during the COVID-19 Pandemic. | Cares Act relief options for all federally backed mortgages. | Options and assistance for individuals seeking mortgage and rental relief. | Click Here to get information on what your options are for mortgage and rental relief. | Contact your local loan servicer. You may have to wait on the line to speak to your mortgage servicer as call volumes are especially high due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Be sure that you have your account number handy when you call. For homeowners with mortgages covered by the CARES Act, you only need to explain that you have a pandemic-related financial hardship. |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you are a Servicemember, Veteran or surviving spouse looking for a home loan. | Home loan guaranty and programs to buy, build, repair, retain or adapt a home. | Home loans to help buy, build, repair, retain or improve. | For more information on the VA Home Loan program call (877) 827-3702, to contact the nearest VA Regional Loan Center, or visit benefits.va.gov | Please visit benefits.va.gov or call (877) 827-3702 |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you have lost your job or have had your hours reduced for reasons related to COVID-19 | Partial wage replacement benefit payments to workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced, through no fault of their own | 39 weeks instead of 26; extra $600 per week, payable immediately | Please visit irs.gov/coronavirus | No action is required |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you have lost your job or have had your hours reduced for reasons related to COVID-19 | Partial wage replacement benefit payments to workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced, through no fault of their own | 39 weeks instead of 26; extra $600 per week, payable immediately | Please visit EDD.ca.gov | File an Unemployment Insurance Claim |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you have not yet filed 2019 federal taxes | The deadline to file and pay federal income taxes is now July 15, 2020 | An automatic 3-month extension for both filing and payment of federal income tax, without penalties or interest | Learn more at irs.gov/coronavirus; contact your tax preparer or accountant for more information | The extension is automatic |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you need to withdraw funds from your retirement account | Withdraw funds from a 401(k) or IRA | Hardship withdrawals are not subject to 10% early distribution penalty; may be repaid over 3 years | Learn more at irs.gov | Contact your retirement account manager or plan sponsor |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you need to take a loan from your 401(k) | Take a loan against your 401(k) instead of withdrawing funds | Loan limits have doubled to the lesser of $100,000 or 100% of the vested account balance | Please visit irs.gov | Contact your retirement account manager or plan sponsor |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you are over 70-1/2 or older and subject to mandatory minimum distributions | Decide whether to take a distribution for calendar year 2020 | Allows individuals to keep funds within retirement accounts | Expect guidance from the IRS and your retirement account manager or plan sponsor | Contact your retirement account manager or plan sponsor |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you have a High-Deductible Health Plan with Health Savings Account and use telehealth services | Use telehealth services rather than in-person medical visits | Telehealth services may be covered under a qualifying health plan before the patient has met the plan deductible | Contact your doctor or health insurance company | Rules and procedures vary by plan |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you have a medical savings account and buy certain over-the-counter medical products | Uses medical savings account funds for more items | Funds may be used for over-the-counter medical products without a prescription | Contact your medical savings account administrator | Rules and procedures vary by account administrator |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you have federal student loans | CARES Act relief provided to federal student loan borrowers during the COVID-19 national emergency. | Borrowers of these specific loans may temporarily stop making payments until September 30, 2020 | To learn more about automatic deferral, interest, and eligibility visit studentaid.gov | Contact your loan servicer or visit studentaid.gov |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If you have federal Direct Loans, FFEL Program loans, or Federal Perkins Loans | Interest is temporarily set to 0% | From March 13, 2020, through September 30, 2020, the interest rate of specific federal loan types is 0% | Learn more at studentaid.gov | Contact your loan servicer or visit studentaid.gov |
Why | What | Benefits | More Information | How to file |
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If your employer makes payments toward your student loans | Employer payments to employees’ student loans are tax-free up to $5,250 | These payments will not be treated as taxable income to the employee | Expect guidance from the IRS and your employer | Contact your employer about this potential benefit |