Note: If you are unsure about eligibility, you are still encouraged to apply for programs that may help. As long as you’re honest, there is no penalty for being found ineligible due to the facts of their case. You may also apply for more than one program (such as Unemployment and Disability), though the programs won’t pay out at the same time. More info from State EDD at www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm
Members who work at Barlow may be eligible for the Federal Paid Sick Leave or Paid Family Leave recently enacted. Contact your Rep/Organizer for info. Other SEIU 121RN hospitals are too large to qualify per the Federal stimulus package.
If you have to quarantine due to COVID-19… | |||
| Option | Benefit Amount | Notes & First Steps | |
| 1. Employer pay for COVID-19 quarantine | Per employer policy | We are working (directly and through state agencies) to have all employers pay for quarantined workers without use of PTO; however only some employers have adopted such a policy. | |
| 2. Paid Sick Leave or PTO per your CBA | Full pay/benefits (but uses sick/PTO bank) | Standard | |
| 3. Other Leave per CBA | According to CBA | Some contracts include leave provisions that could be better than public options. Talk to your Steward or Rep. | |
| …and you are not sick, but not allowed to work… | 4. Unemployment Insurance | Portion of pay, up to $1050/wk (includes extra $600/wk through July 31, then may fall back to $450/wk) Up to 39 weeks (extended from 26)One week waiting period has been waived | Eligibility for UI is only if unable to work (or hours cut) through no cause of your own. Open a claim at https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/ |
| …and the impacts of the illness have left you personally unable to work… | 5. State Disability Insurance | 60-70% of Wages (max $1,300/wk) Up to 52 weeksWaiting period has been waived | Remember to have certification of illness by medical professional.Open application at https://www.edd.ca.gov/Disability/ |
| …and the impacts of the illness have caused additional care expenses… | 6. Workers’ Comp | Determined through WC process, but could cover two thirds of wagesMay include more for health expenses or if permanent disability | SEIU is currently advocating in Sacramento for a “presumption of exposure” that would make it easier to make use of the WC process.For now, may be worth pursuing if the illness has had serious complications and may impact ability to work beyond the short-term. |
If you can’t work because you have to care for a family member quarantined due to COVID-19… | |||
| Option | Benefit Amount | Notes & First Steps | |
| 1. Paid Sick Leave or PTO per your CBA | Full pay and benefits | Standard | |
| 2. Paid Family Leave (if caring for ill family member) | 60-70% of Wages (max $1,300/wk) Up to 8 weeksWaiting period has been waived | Remember to have certification of illness by medical professional.Open application at https://www.edd.ca.gov/Disability/ | |
| 3. Other Leave per CBA | According to CBA | Some contracts include leave provisions that could be used for family care. Talk to your Steward or Rep. | |
If you can’t work because you are caring for a child whose school is closed… | |||
| Option | Benefit Amount | Notes & First Steps | |
| 1. Paid Sick Leave or PTO per your CBA | Full pay and benefits | Rules vary by contract on taking PTO for an extended period. | |
| 2. Unemployment Insurance | Portion of pay, up to $1050/wk (includes extra $600/wk through July 31, then may fall back to $450/wk) Up to 39 weeks (extended from 26)One week waiting period has been waived | UI eligibility for school closure requires you can’t work from home and don’t have other appropriate caregivers available (be ready to make that case if pursuing). Open a claim at https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/ | |
If your hours (or per diem days) have been cut… | |||
| Option | Benefit Amount | Notes & First Steps | |
| 1. Unemployment Insurance | Portion of pay, up to $1050/wk (includes extra $600/wk through July 31, then may fall back to $450/wk)Up to 39 weeks (extended from 26)One week waiting period has been waived | Unemployment Insurance is based on loss of income (from all employers), not schedule. UI can cover some of the loss if your income has been cut because you are not working, or you are working less than you typically do.Per Diem employees may be eligible as long as they have been employees whose paychecks include withholding (withholding = tax, social security, etc).Once you have opened a UI claim, you must accept hours if offered. This may result in pausing UI (i.e., it will kick back in if you don’t get hours the following pay period).Open a claim at https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/ | |