Financial Assistance during COVID-19

Many Angelenos are facing difficulties getting their basic needs met as a result of the rapid changes brought about by the coronavirus. To help, we've compiled this list of places that are offering financial assistance. We'll be updating it regularly.

L.A. County recently launched a COVID-19 Disaster Help Center website and hotline to help workers and businesses navigate available assistance:

Phone: 833-238-4450 (weekdays 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.); Email DisasterHelpCenter

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

  • Small businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic can apply for $349 billion in loans from the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

  • The state of California is providing $50 million in loan guarantees to businesses that don't qualify for the federal aid, "including low wealth and undocumented immigrant communities."

  • The city of L.A.is offering emergency micro-loans between $5,000 and $50,000 to small businesses affected by the coronavirus.

  • The Jewish Free Loan Association is offering interest-free and fee-free loans that can be turned around in a matter of days to folks impacted by coronavirus, for anything from everyday expenses to childcare to lost wages. You do not need to be Jewish to apply.

  • The USBG National Charity Foundation is offering loans to bartenders who may be out of work.

  • Here is a list of resources for freelance artists. The J. Paul Getty Trust has also created a $10 million fund to help small and mid-sized nonprofit art spaces struggling to survive the pandemic. Getty is also rerouting cash earmarked for its $25,000 artist grants through the CCF Fellowships for Visual Artists to support visual artists in need.

  • One Fair Wage is offering cash assistance to service workers and tipped workers.

  • Restaurants Care is offering grants for restaurant workers who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who have been quarantined.

  • Children of Restaurant Employees is offering funds to restaurant workers who have tested positive for COVID-19 and have children at home.

  • Americans for the Arts has a lengthy list of places offering funding and grants for artists.

  • The National Domestic Workers Alliance has set up a fund for in-home care workers, nannies and house cleaners.

  • Savi and Student Debt Crisis are offering help to folks who are having trouble paying their student loans because of the coronavirus' impact to their income.

Gov. Gavin Newsom is also encouraging people whose jobs have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak to apply for unemployment or disability. And the federal government recently passed a bill requiring employers to pay sick leave and family leave. Read our guide on that here.