We're in the midst of global fight against a monster- Coronavirus (Covid-19). Schools, libraries, museums, recreation centers, theaters, dine in restaurants, and bars are now closed. Our way of life has turned 360 degrees, but panic should be transformed into preparedness.
If you are a small business owner, recently unemployed, or unable to find food and toilet paper, I have compiled this list of resources.
Did you know that Office Depot & Office Max sell toilet paper? You can order it online, 36 roll packages limit two per customer.
How To Shop in a Pandemic
Rule #1 Shop Smart Avoid Spoiled Food
Don't over shop instead be strategic. Normally, 15% of your groceries should be non-perishable/frozen. That model changes in a crisis to 60%-70% non-perishable/frozen. You need to stockpile at least one month of food in case you are sick, or in a lockdown. Save that food for a true emergency. Continue to buy fresh produce which you should be eating first, freeze all leftovers. Make soup, lasagna, casseroles, and freeze them.
We found plenty of artisan bread in the bakery section of our local supermarkets. Put fresh bread in the freezer. Buy meat and fish, season it put it in a ziploc bag and freeze. It's a lot cheaper than buying frozen dinners. If you have a slow cooker, make homemade soups like lentil, split pea, and chicken noodle. A bag of lentils is less than two dollars, yet makes a dozen servings, far more economical than a can of soup for the same price.
Rule #2 Can't find food? Think Outside The Box!
I went to seven supermarkets in search of eggs. Guess What? 7 Eleven had plenty of eggs. They cost double, but we needed them since we're baking at home these days. Lesson learned- Think outside the box.
Rule #3 Don't Be Picky!
Buy whatever you can find. You might not get what you're looking for, change your menu, be creative it beats starvation.
Resources
Sick or Quarantined? You can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim. DI provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week.
The Governor’s Executive Order waives the one-week unpaid waiting period, so you can collect DI benefits for the first week you are out of work. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.
For guidance on the disease, visit the California Department of Public Health website.
Caregiving
If you’re unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim. PFL provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.
School Closures
If your child’s school is closed, and you have to miss work to be there for them, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Eligibility considerations include if you have no other care options and if you are unable to continue working your normal hours remotely. File an Unemployment Insurance claim and our EDD representatives will decide if you are eligible.
Reduced Work Hours
If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim. UI provides partial wage replacement benefit payments to workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced, through no fault of their own. Workers who are temporarily unemployed due to COVID-19 and expected to return to work with their employer within a few weeks are not required to actively seek work each week. However, they must remain able and available and ready to work during their unemployment for each week of benefits claimed and meet all other eligibility criteria. Eligible individuals can receive benefits that range from $40-$450 per week.
The Governor’s Executive Order waives the one-week unpaid waiting period, so you can collect UI benefits for the first week you are out of work. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.
Self-Employed
The available benefits are insurance programs. To be eligible, either you or an employer had to make contributions in the past 5 to 18 months. It is possible these contributions were made at a prior job, or if you were misclassified as an independent contractor instead of an employee. We encourage you to apply for the benefit program that is most appropriate for your situation. Visit Self-Employed/Independent Contractor to learn more.
Recent Job Loss & Paid Family Leave Contact:
Employment Development Dept. State of California
File your UI claim in the first week that you lose your job or have your hours reduced. Your claim begins on the Sunday of the week you submitted your application. Waiting to file can delay your benefits.
Loans For Small Business Owners
The SBA will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
For more information visit: https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
Who's Hiring?
Amazon is Hiring 100,000 Workers
Jimbo's is Hiring 60-70 employees at 5 San Diego Stores.
Call Your Doctor If You Are Sick
Self isolate yourself from family, friends, pets, and take your temperature every 2 hours.
For further information visit: https://www.cdc.gov/
I will continue to provide information for families during this crisis. For two years I have dedicated this website to helping others enrich their lives with plenty of free and low cost resources for families. These days it's all about safety and getting through this together. Feel free to email me at courtneyp@macaronikid.com with your questions. I will do my best to answer them.
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