COVID-19 Resources for Parents
Employment
Employers NOW Hiring throughout the County
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 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
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Unemployment Benefits
If you are in a situation where you have been or will be financially impacted by the pandemic, seek out information on benefits available through EDD. Click here for more information.
800-300-5616
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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
Basic Needs
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Pandemic-EBT
Families with students who were receiving free or reduced-price meals at school can get up to $365 per child for groceries this summer. Learn more at sandiegohungercoalition.org/p-ebt or download flyer.
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School Meal Pick Up Sites
San Diego County Office of Education
Any student age 2 to 18 can go to any school site providing meals and receive food during this period of school closures due to COVID-19
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Senior Nutrition
Program
1830 Alpine Blvd, Alpine,CA 91901
619-478-5109
Providing home-delivery meals during COVID-19
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Great
Plates Delivered (for Seniors)
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SDG&E Customer Service
4949 Greencraig LN BLDG B, San Diego, CA 92123
800-411-7343
Payment arrangements made for clients dealing with financial hardships due to COVID-19 -
SDG&E
(CARE and FERA discounts)
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United Way
Helping low wage earners to help pay utility bills, rent and possible mortgage payments
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YMCA
3333 Camino Del Rio S Suite 400
San Diego, 92108
619-952-0242
Currently offering enhanced referral services.
Communication and Technology
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2-1-1 San Diego
Call 2-1-1 San Diego for assistance accessing free or low-cost internet services during COVID-19.
- 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
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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
Emotional Support
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Access
and Crisis Hotline
888-724-7240
Emotional support for those affected by COVID-19
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Domestic Violence Resources
National Domestic Violence Hotline
800-799-SAFE (7233)
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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
News Stories
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.
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
COVID-19 Impact on Child Support
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?
- 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
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, is DCSS going to intercept my unemployment and disability payments?
At the current time, unemployment and disability will be intercepted if you have a past-due balance. Please be aware if you are an obligor under a child support order, the order is still in effect and the support is due monthly regardless of the intercept. If the unemployment and disability intercept is temporarily suspended, you will need to submit your payment monthly to the State Disbursement Unit via the various payment methods available. If there is a change to temporarily suspend this enforcement method, this response will be updated.
- If I have a court date, what should I do?
The Courts have also been impacted by COVID-19 closures. As of now, the Courts will remain closed through April 30, 2020. We will contact you through email and text if you have a court date during this time period. Our Legal Team will also be contacting you by phone or email to discuss the plan to either continue the case on a future court date and/or see if we might be able to resolve the issues on calendar and avoid a future court date. Please inform us if your contact information changes.
- I have applied for services or I have been contacted by your office a new child support case will be pursued, how long will it take?
Due to the closure of the Courts and the Family Support Division Superior Court Business Office, we are unable to generate any legal documents at this time. This includes all legal documents required for new cases or registration of a current support order. We appreciate your patience during this time.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, is DCSS going to levy my bank account?
As of March 17, 2020, the automated actions for Bank Levies has been shut down. If you receive notification of this action from your bank, please contact us right away through 1-866-901-3212, Customer Connect, or contact your case manager through his/her direct phone #, email or text #.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, is DCSS going to suspend my driver’s license?
As of March 17, 2020, the automated actions for Driver’s License suspensions has been shut down. If you receive notification of this action from DMV, please contact us right away through 1-866-901-3212, Customer Connect, or contact your case manager through his/her direct phone #, email or text #.
- I heard there was going to be an extra money (allotment) coming to me in April if I am on CalFresh?
Yes, if you are a current recipient of CalFresh you will receive an Emergency Allotment (EA) on your Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card. Click here for more details as to the dates and the amounts.
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