Before tomorrow's 2:00 pm virtual town hall (ask questions here), I wanted to update you on expanded unemployment. If you've lost your job or had hours reduced due to coronavirus, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance or other assistance.

Unemployment Insurance provides a partial replacement for lost wages, up to $450 a week, depending on prior wages. Workers receive benefits in approximately three weeks.  

Gig workers and other misclassified independent contractors may need to apply and appeal, if they are deemed not eligible.

In addition, the Federal CARES Act will provide eligible workers an additional $600 per week for four months, bringing the maximum benefit to $1,050 a week. This extends traditional unemployment benefits to 39 weeks and allows self-employed individuals to collect $600 per week.

Self-employed individuals should wait to apply until the Federal CARES Act's Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is open - expected to be in a couple of weeks. Follow here for updates.

Sick or quarantined individuals with a medical certification may be eligible for Disability Insurance, which pays 60-70% of wages, up to $1,300 a week. People unable to work because they're providing care for a sick or quarantined person may be eligible for Paid Family Leave.

Anyone looking for work in essential businesses may be matched with a job at OnwardCA.org.

Finally, I will be continuing my twice-weekly virtual town halls with the next one scheduled for 2pm on tomorrow, April 7, 2020. You may view my last two virtual town halls from April 3 and March 31 as well.

Stay healthy and please continue to follow social distancing rules,