Income Benefits for Transition Age Youth
Many young adults are dealing with emergency needs resulting from the COVID-19 crisis and the consequent economic downturn. The economic fallout from the crisis is likely to last months, if not years, and it is therefore crucial that young adults take action now to shore up their economic stability over the long term at the same time that they address emergent needs. The resources below may not offer immediate relief but are nonetheless crucial to put in place alongside emergency relief measures as quickly as possible.
What It Provides
Cash payments between $40 and $1050 per week for up to 39 weeks (amount depends on prior earnings)
Who Qualifies
- Individuals who have been laid off or had hours reduced
- Under new federal rules, many groups are newly eligible to apply including gig workers, self-employed and part-time workers
How to Apply
Checklist of what you need to apply
Additional Considerations
- Given the volume of claims it will likely take at least three weeks to receive benefits
- Claims take effect when you apply, not when you lost your job, so apply ASAP
- Applicants typically must answer yes to the question “Are you ready and willing to accept work that matches your work skills” to qualify
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What It Provides
Up to $1200 per adult and $500 per child
Who Qualifies
- Individuals with incomes up to$99,000
- Individuals who can be claimed on someone else’s tax return (i.e. a parent) do not qualify
- Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
How to Apply
- People with a bank acct. on file with the IRS from a 2018 or 2019 tax return will automatically receive funds. People should file a 2019 tax return ASAP and provide direct deposit info.
- Non-tax filers
Additional Considerations
The IRS expects to create a portal in late April or early May that will allow taxpayers to find out the status of their rebate payment and update direct deposit information.
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What It Provides
Cash payment ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Amount is based on income, age and whether you have children.
Who Qualifies
- Be age 18 or older
- Earned between $1 and $30,000 in 2019
- Have a social security number
- Lived in CA for more than half of 2019
How to Apply
File federal and state tax returns (required to receive the EITC even if you would otherwise not be required to file). Low-income filers can Intuit or EZ Tax Return
Additional Considerations
- See a Comprehensive Guide to the EITC
- Tax deadline has been extended to July 15, 2020
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What It Provides
Free or subsidized health insurance.
Who Qualifies
Low- and moderate-income households (up to $74,940 for single individual)
How to Apply
Additional Considerations
Open enrollment has been extended through the end of June 2020.
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What It Provides
Up to $194 a month per household member for purchase of food
Who Qualifies
Income must be below $2082/mo. for single person (cap increases by $738 for each additional person in household)
How to Apply
Additional Considerations
- Students must meet additional eligibility requirements – either working 20 hours/wk, approved for work study or enrolled in a support program like Guardian Scholars, NextUp, EOP, EOPS, Disabled Student Services
- Eligibility redeterminations have been suspended
- As of 4/28 benefits may be used online at Amazon and Walmart
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- See frequently asked questions on CalFresh for non-minor dependents in extended foster care go to
- CalFresh Student Resources
What It Provides
Grants to cover tuition and non-tuition costs including living expenses such as housing and food.
Who Qualifies
College students enrolled in as few as three units may qualify for certain sources.
How to Apply
- Complete the FAFSA or Dream Act for undocumented students.
- Complete the Foster youth complete the Chaffee grant application.
Additional Considerations
- Current students who have not completed a FAFSA and/or Chafee application can still apply for the current term (through June 30, 2020)
- Students should also complete the FAFSA for next year ASAP (2020/2021 academic year)
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For College Students: New Financial Aid Rules
- Withdrawals: Community College students impacted by the crisis may use “excused withdrawals” to withdraw from courses at no penalty. Excused Withdrawals will not count against a student’s academic progress standing and will not negatively impact their eligibility for financial aid. Students can also receive refunds on enrollment fees if they withdraw using an excused withdrawal.
- SAP Appeals: Colleges may include COVID-19 related disruptions as a basis for appeal of loss of financial aid even if not specifically articulated in the institution’s SAP policy.
- Emergency Aid: Any aid (in the form of grants or low-interest loans) received by victims of an emergency from a federal or state entity for the purpose of providing financial relief is not counted as income for calculating a family’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or as estimated financial assistance for packaging purposes.
- Work Study: Colleges may continue to pay federal work study to students while physical campus sites are closed, even if students are unable to work their scheduled hours.
- Student loans: Student loan payments have been automatically suspended through September 30, 2020. No interest will accrue during this period.
Eviction Moratorium: Tenants may not be evicted for non-payment of rent through May 31, 2020, subject to certain conditions. Rent continues to accrue during this period, however, and must be paid in full to avoid future eviction.