“Dear Culver City” - a Message from Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells
Face Covering Guidance While Working Out
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Program
Paycheck Protection Program
Department of Public Social Services Extends Customer Service Hours
Free, Same-Day COVID-19 Tests Available
Let's make a Culver City connection and talk soon. We’ll call you!
You Are Not Alone
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1. “Dear Culver City” - a Message from Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells
In place of this year’s State of the City Address, Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells has put together this beautiful video to share with the Culver City community. Thank you, Mayor Sahli-Wells!
Many people have asked if they need to wear a cloth face covering while exercising outdoors. Here are the short answers:
yes, when you are near others (anywhere close to 6 feet) and
no, when there is no one around you.
Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health suggests, “If you think that for part of the time you’re working out, you may be in a busy place where there are other people, then carry [a cloth face covering] with you, and use it at the point that you’re going to be in contact with other people.”
County Public Health does not recommend wearing a covering over your nose and mouth when doing high intensity training, especially in the heat, because it is harder to breathe. If you’re doing any type of high intensity training (e.g., marathon training), try to find a place where you will not be around other people to minimize the amount of time you need to cover your mouth and nose.
Tomorrow, April 28, the Employment Development Department (EDD) will begin accepting online applications for a new emergency unemployment assistance program under the federal CARES Act.
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program is specifically for unemployed or partially unemployed individuals who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance and who are unable or unavailable to work due to COVID-19 related circumstances.
Covered Individuals
Independent contractors
Self-employed
Individuals without sufficient work history
Individuals who have exhausted their regular and any extended unemployment insurance (UI) benefits
Must self-certify to be able and available to work except are unemployed due to COVID-19 related reason
Amount of Benefits
Minimum weekly benefit amount of $167 (but weekly amount may be higher and equal the amount provided under regular UI, depending on proof of prior earnings)
PLUS $600 for weeks between March 29, 2020 to July 25, 2020.**
When Benefits Start
Benefits can be retroactive to weeks starting on or after February 2, 2020, depending on your last day of work due to COVID-19 and regardless of when you submitted your claim application. The effective date of your claim will begin the Sunday of the week when you last worked and became unemployed due to reasons directly related to COVID-19.
How Long?
Up to 39 weeks (minus any weeks of regular UI and certain extended UI benefits). Last week is week ending December 26, 2020.**
** Under the CARES Act of 2020, the $600 additional benefits are available through 07/31/20. However, the U.S. DOL has issued guidance to clarify that, for most Californians, the last full week of benefits will end on 07/25/20. Similarly, the PUA program has a legislative end date of 12/31/20, but for most Californians the last full week of benefits will end on 12/26/20.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders. The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. Visit the Paycheck Protection Program webpage for more details.
5. Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) Extends Customer Service Center Hours
Today, the DPSS announced that they have extended Customer Service Center (CSC) hours. CSC is a “single point of contact” for the following aid programs: CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and General Relief. Now you can call (866) 613-3777 Monday – Friday between 7:30 AM – 7:30 PM and Saturday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Visit the DPSS website for more information on available programs and resources.
6. Free, Same-Day COVID-19 Tests Available
Free same-day tests are available for all LA County residents, including Culver City residents. For the general public, testing is currently available only for people with symptoms, such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms can now book a same or next day appointment.
For certain critical front-line workers, testing is available even if you are not experiencing symptoms. Front-line workers include: first responders, critical government personnel, health care professionals, and grocery workers. If you are not sure whether you qualify, ask your employer for further information.
Please know the following factors do not affect eligibility for a COVID-19 test:
7. Let's make a Culver City connection and talk soon. We’ll call YOU!
We want you to know that we are here for you. If you or another Culver City resident would like a check-in call for a quick chat, let us know. Our friendly City staff are making weekly phone calls to any residents 18 and older just to say “hi," see how you are doing, or offer information and resources. You don’t need a reason—we’ll call you. If you would like to sign-up for the weekly phone call program, give us a ring at (310) 253-6890.
If you or someone you know has a non-emergency, non-medical need related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and you would like assistance from a volunteer, please email the City or call the City’s Coronavirus Hotline at (310) 253-6890 (7:30 AM to 5:30 PM). If you email or leave a message at the Hotline after hours, please include your name, address, phone number, email address, and your need. In an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.
