COVID-19 Resources for Parents

Basic Needs

Basic Needs

Feeding San Diego
Meals for Kids
  • Meals for Kids
    Meals for kids when schools are closed
    (USE map finder based on your location)
San Diego Food Bank
San Diego for Every Child - Child Care
Great Plates Delivered Program
  • Great Plates Delivered
    • Home Meals for Seniors
      Serves older adults 65+ and those 60-64 with certain health conditions
    • Great Plates 2.0: Dinner Delivered
      Serves adults of all ages (18+) with certain health conditions or disabilities
Mountain Health Cares


 

SDG&E
United Way
  • United Way
    Helping low wage earners to help pay utility bills, rent and possible mortgage payments
     
YMCA Child Care
  • YMCA
    3333 Camino Del Rio S Suite 400
    San Diego, 92108
    619-952-0242
    Currently offering enhanced referral services.

Employment

Employment

Employers Now Hiring

Employers NOW Hiring throughout the County

Goodwill San Diego County

Goodwill Career Advisors are ready to help you online or in person. They offer FREE workshops for all San Diego County residents. They can help you find your next job or prepare you for the career you have always wanted. Click here for more information.

RMFG Manufacturing Workforce Specialist

ResourceMFG is the first and the largest national staffing company to specialize in manufacturing. They are dedicated to getting good people good jobs. Check out the current job listings.

Select Workforce Specialists

Select is one of the leading staffing agencies and part of The EmployBridge family of supply chain workforce solutions - the nation's largest industrial staffing company. Check out the current job listings.

Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance

Rental Assistance
EDD
COVID-19 Financial Help
  • Get financial help from the State of California
    • If you have been financially affected by COVID-19, you may be eligible for:
      • Unemployment insurance
      • Eviction protection
      • Mortgage relief 
      • Food assistance
      • Utility payment grace periods
      • No credit score changes
  • COVID-19 hotline
San Diego Worker Assistance
  • COVID-19 Community Response Fund
    4699 Murphy Canyon Rd, San Diego, CA 92123
    858-636-4125
    Help for low-wage workers who need support for a limited but undetermined length of time
Small Business Stimulus Program_email graphic

Communication and Technology

Communication and Technology

2-1-1 San Diego
9-1-1 Call if you can, Text if you can't
  • Text to 9-1-1 is now available in San Diego County. This includes the Sheriff's Department, all police and fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies.   
  • Calling is still the fastest way to reach 9-1-1. However, there are situations when texting may be the better option.
  • Watch the instructional video or read the press release
Cox Communications
  • Increased support for Connect2Compete, a low-cost, high speed internet service for families with school-aged children who are enrolled in low-income assistance programs.
  • First two months of service free for new customers through May 15
  • Partnered with PCs for People where families can purchase discounted refurbished computers
Computers 2 Kids
  • Computers 2 Kids
    8324 Miramar Mall
    San Diego, CA 92121
    858-200-9788
    Provides refurbished, low-cost computers to low-income families through the Technology Assistance Program
Assurance Wireless
SafeLink Wireless

Emotional Support

Emotional Support

Crisis Line
Various offerings by the County of San Diego
 
Domestic Violence Resources
Jewish Family Service
  • Jewish Family Service
    Jewish Family Service is hosting a series of free virtual Community Conversations to help San Diegans meet the many challenges of coping with the coronavirus pandemic.
    858-637-3210
Free Online Parenting Support

 

 

Special Needs Resource Foundation of San Diego

News Stories

News Stories

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Teleworking Tips!

For so many of us, working in an office environment is the foundation of our daily routines. It is the place that our weekdays revolve around. From when we drink our coffee, to when we exercise, going to the office is what it is all based around.

These routines and rituals are very important and tie into our productivity and our state of mind. They get us into our “work” state of mind. When you wake up, get dressed for work (hopefully not in jeans and definitely not in a hoodie), and go through your morning routine you are priming yourself to get into that state of mind.

But what happens when the office is suddenly in your home? Your desk is now a kitchen counter, and that box of stale Oreos is dangerously close to being breakfast (let’s be honest, maybe lunch too). Your commute, which previously was a battle up the 805, is now a roll out of bed. What happens to our routine? Can we still get into the “work mode” mentality with this change?

It turns out we can by following some simple expert guidelines:

Separate work life from home life

Maintain rules that set your work time, your break times, and times to handle personal matters. Maintain “do not disturb” times as best you can while at home to keep your concentration. Breaking for lunch and taking breaks at the same times as you normally would help keep you in your daily rhythm.

Establish “office” hours

Telecommuting is a great tool with a lot of flexibility but sticking to a schedule becomes even more important. Without one we might find ourselves working around the clock or putting work off. Have a hard start and end date and keep them realistic. Whatever you do – do it consistently.

Get “ready” for work

While the temptation might be there to wear pajamas all day while at home, experts highly recommend showering and changing clothes. The specific attire you choose does not necessarily need to be business casual, unless you find that helps you work. Instead, just the act of changing from clothes you wear only for leisure will help you get into the right state of mind and maintain your routine. Don’t neglect a routine for the end of your day as well!

Set up the proper environment

Finding a good spot to work from home can be challenging, and it will definitely look different for each person. Whatever room you choose, it should be kept organized, preferably have a door and be ergonomically comfortable to work in.  Maybe different environments are better for certain tasks than others. The sofa might be ok to answer some emails from, but a full day might be hard on the back.

“Motivation is powerful, but when it’s not there we have to rely on our discipline. And our discipline is formed by creating good habits.”  In these times of change and uncertainty – keeping disciplined and maintaining our professional and personal habits is more important than ever for our health and wellbeing.

It doesn’t have to be complicated – it just has to be consistent.

 

Exercising while working at home

Staying Active While Working From Home 

With so much going on around us and constant change, hours can go by without getting up to move around or stretch. Sometimes, we might think if we aren’t doing a full workout, it’s not enough. Even stepping away for 5 minutes is a great way to decompress, re-center, and get some movement in our bodies. Maybe when you get up to get another “quarantine snack” from the kitchen, do some walking lunges to get there. Take a break and quick walk around the block – fresh air makes all the difference! If you are working from home, your space may not be as ergonomically friendly as your cubicle. A few minutes of stretching can really make a difference and ease some aches and pains. 

If you do have more time and want to get a longer workout in, so many gyms, trainers, yoga and Pilates studios are offering free home workouts right now on a variety of platforms from Zoom to Facebook to Instagram. You can find exercises you love anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour. You can also take this time in the comfort of your quarantine cave to try something new with no one watching – except maybe kids or pets! 

Here are some quick, easy stretches to do at home or in the office.

 

How to contact us?

How to Contact Us

LiveChat Now Available
CA DCSS

State DCSS COVID-19 Information

 

FAQs

COVID-19 Impact on Child Support

 

“Second Round” of Stimulus Payments – December 28, 2020

The Federal Consolidated Appropriations Act, signed on December 27, 2020, includes a second round of economic stimulus payments up to $600 for eligible individuals including qualifying children.  The IRS expects to start sending out stimulus payments in January 2021.

Unlike the CARES Act stimulus payments, the Appropriations Act stimulus payments are specifically exempt from being intercepted for past-due child support. Learn more here.

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  • What is the Second Round of Stimulus Payments?

    The “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021” (“Act”) provides economic stimulus payments to families who meet certain financial thresholds.  The Act provides payment of up to $600 for an adult who files a single tax return and earns up to $75,000 per year, and up to $1,200 for couples who file jointly and earn up to $150,000 per year.  The payments are proportionally reduced for parents who earn more than these amounts, and single filers who earn $87,000 or more, and joint filers who earn $174,000 or more, will not receive a stimulus payment. 

  • Is the Second Round of Stimulus Payments subject to offset for past due child support?

    No.  Unlike the stimulus payments approved by Congress through the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES)Act, stimulus payments paid via the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 are not subject to offset for past due child support. Learn more here.

  • Does the Second Round of Stimulus Payments include Payments for Qualified Children?

    Yes.  The Second Round of Stimulus Payments includes up to $600 for each qualifying child within a household.  However, the sum of this stimulus payment will also be proportionally reduced based on the amount of parents’ income above the applicable thresholds. 

 

CARES Act Stimulus Payment and IRS Update [as of 12/21/2020]

The first round of stimulus payments and tax intercept refunds due in 2020 have been delayed several times due to how the payments were processed. We are pleased to say that if you were involved with a delay or hold on an intercepted stimulus payment or tax refund, we have been working very hard to resolve the issue with the IRS and should be releasing funds that we were required to hold very shortly. We are aware of the inconvenience of these delays and will continue to update you as information is made available.

 

“Injured Spouse” Payments from Stimulus Payment Intercepts

Recently the IRS announced it will be mailing reimbursement checks to those who filed joint income tax returns for 2019 who had their stimulus payments intercepted to pay back child support owed by their spouse. Normally these joint filers must file an “injured spouse” claim with the IRS to receive their portion of these funds, but now payments will be sent whether or not a claim has been filed.  Please see below for changes to the process caused by this decision that may affect you.

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What can you tell me about the Stimulus Checks due to the CARES Act and how that impacts me for child support as someone who pays or receives child support?

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  • What are the Stimulus Payments?

    The CARES Act provides economic stimulus payments to families who meet certain financial thresholds. The Act provides payments of up to $1,200.00 for adults who file a single tax return with an annual income of $75,000.00 or less and $2,400.00 for families filing joint returns who have a combined income of $150,000.00 or less. The payments are reduced for parents who make more than these amounts and are completely phased out for single filers who make above $99,000.00 and joint filers who make above $198,000.00.

  • Will the Stimulus Payments be taken for past due child support?

    The stimulus payments are subject to interception for past-due child support. The CARES legislation specifically left in place the same language that applies to IRS offset payments that child support programs are required to intercept and apply to past due child support. Unfortunately, there is no way for the Child Support Program to differentiate between a normal tax offset payment and the stimulus payment. The state has requested additional information from the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) and has not received any information that would allow us to treat these payments in a different manner.

  • When will my Stimulus Payment be intercepted?

    According to the federal government, the stimulus checks will start being directly deposited into the accounts of citizens sometime around mid-April. Payments that are subject to interception for past-due child support will be sent to California Child Support Services State Disbursement Unit who will distribute them. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

  • How will I know if my Stimulus Check will be intercepted?

    If your stimulus payment has been taken, the IRS will send you a letter notifying you that the payment will be sent to the California Department of Child Support Services.

  • Will my California state tax refund be intercepted?

    No. As of March 27, 2020, California Child Support Services stopped referring information regarding individuals owing unpaid child support to the Interagency Intercept Collection Program operated by the Franchise Tax Board (FTB). On the same date, FTB announced that the Intercept Program will be temporarily suspended due to the widespread health and economic issues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Program intercepts state tax refunds, lottery winnings, and Unclaimed Property of those who owe child support debt. At this time, the suspension is scheduled until 7/15/2020, however this date may change based on the evolving nature of this unprecedented event.

  • If I file my taxes as married filing jointly and owe child support, will they take my spouse’s stimulus payment?

    Not if you filed an injured spouse claim. If you are married filing jointly and you filed an injured spouse claim with your 2019 tax return (or 2018 tax return if you haven’t filed your 2019 tax return), half of the total stimulus payment will be sent to each spouse, and your spouse’s payment will be offset only for past-due child support. There is no need to file another injured spouse claim for the payment.

  • I am experiencing a financial hardship due to COVID-19. Can I request a refund of my stimulus funds?

    No, the CARES Act did not grant states any authority to reduce or eliminate the intercept due to hardship.

  • Will the additional $500 stimulus payment for each child in my household also be intercepted?

    Yes, as with other tax refunds, any amount due to you is intercepted.

  • I am the custodial parent and receive child support so how does the change in the Governor’s Executive Order N-52-20 affect me?
    • If you have never received cash assistance from the state, there is no change for you. All of the stimulus funds, up to the amount of past-due support, will be passed through to you.
    • If you are currently receiving assistance from the state, the stimulus will apply to this month’s child support, and you will receive the disregard payment of up to $50.
    • If you previously received cash assistance, the Order provides for California Child Support Services to pass the stimulus funds through to you, rather than to repay periods of time you received assistance.

 

Additional Frequently Asked Questions

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