New site helps California workers displaced by COVID-19 find jobs
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KTVU) - As Americans face shutdowns, layoffs and reduced working hours, state unemployment systems are being strained with the number of first-time unemployment claims surging historic highs of more than 6 million claims nationwide through March 28th and more than 878,000 claims in California.
“We've averaged over 111,000 unemployment insurance claims on a daily basis, over just the last 11 days," said California governor Gavin Newsom.
Steve Gregg of Antioch can feel the pain. Before the coronavirus pandemic Gregg was barely getting by as an Uber driver. Now, since the health risks put a stop to driving, he’s among the millions who filed for unemployment.
"I know about half a dozen people in my family who have filed for unemployment," said Gregg.
California's EDD, the Employment Development Department announced Thursday that staff, working under social distancing mandates, are trying to handle the flood of calls and the EDD says they’ve shifted 850 staff from other positions to help process claims. They are urging people to apply online.
“There was no getting through on the phone," Gregg says he did go online but still has not received any of the funds he desperately needs to support himself and his three teenage children.
“The first few days you could tell that story just with the panic attacks because I was down to my last hundred bucks," said Gregg.
Adding to the delay, states are still waiting for federal guidelines before they can cut checks under the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program that extends benefits to independent contractors, self-employed and gig workers for the first time. Claims typically take three weeks or more to be processed.
"I’ve had nothing in the mail. No emails. I check daily, sometimes more than once a day. I’ve heard nothing," said Gregg.
The California EDD says next week, barring any federal guideline changes, those already receiving unemployment checks will hopefully receive the extra $600 pandemic relief increase that was passed by Congress.
Governor Gavin Newsom did announce new efforts to help businesses trying to keep people on the payroll and off unemployment
Small business relief programs include:
***California's $50 million loan guarantees for businesses not eligible for federal relief.
***California's new one-year deferral on sales and use taxes up to $50k for small businesses.
***Federal disaster loans for small business and non-profits at low interest rates.
***Federal Payroll Protection Program grants that will allow businesses to get forgivable loans to keep employees on the payroll.
“If you commit to keeping your employees, even if you have no business, even if your business is closed, but you pay your employees this is grant not a loan," said Governor Newsom, urging businesses to apply immediately when the program opens April 3rd.
The State of California has set up a website called OnwardCA to help people who have lost jobs connect to resources and connect with companies hiring workers now.