IBEW 569 COVID-19 Resources

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IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING COVID-19 SYMPTOMS AND SEEKING DIAGNOSIS OR YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER HAS ADVISED YOU TO SELF-QUARANTINE OR YOU ARE SUBJECT TO A PUBLIC COVID-19 RELATED QUARANTINE OR ISOLATION ORDER:

• PAID SICK LEAVE: Depending on the size of your employer, you may qualify for 14 days of paid sick time under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).  For info visit: https://nabtu.org/covid-19-resources/.  In addition, you can use up to three (3) days of accrued sick leave you have earned with your employer (this cap is increased to five (5) days for employees who worked at least two (2) hours in any one week within the San Diego city limits). For info, visit: https://www.sandiego.gov/treasurer/minimum-wage-program

• UNEMPLOYMENT: Under the new federal worker unemployment assistance law, workers who are unable to work due to COVID-19 symptoms, or due to a related quarantine or isolation order qualify for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits and will receive $600 extra per week for four months (through July 31). For more info, visit https://nabtu.org/covid-19-resources/ To apply for PUA, visit https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/UI_Online.htm

• HEALTHCARE: IBEW 569 has worked with NECA and the Trust Office to ensure members currently enrolled in our plan will retain healthcare coverage through May 2020. Any Bargaining member who had coverage in March 2020 will maintain coverage through May 2020. This will be achieved through a combination of Hours Worked, Reserve Hours and the Trust crediting hours as necessary to maintain coverage. If you have questions about your specific circumstances, please contact the Trust office for more details.

• MORTGAGE, RENT AND EVICTION RELIEF:  You may qualify for 90-day relief from mortgage payments, forbearance, or additional programs like those related to rent relief and credit reporting. Contact your mortgage lender directly to find out. You may also fall under new rules preventing evictions. For a list of cities who have passed eviction moratoriums, visit https://caanet.org/coronavirus-resources-for-navigating-the-outbreak/. For more information on rent relief and landlord notification, visit: http://www.ibew569.org/news/covid-19-mortgage-rent-eviction-relief
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• FOOD: You may be able to apply for assistance through CalFresh. Visit https://www.getcalfresh.org/ for info. In addition, if you need groceries or food assistance, please call our Hall (858-569-8900) and share with us your name, member number, phone number, and the number of members in your household. We will follow-up with you to provide some help.

• UTILITIES: SDG&E has announced that until further notice, they will not shut off service due to inability to pay. Cities and water districts are also announcing similar measures to prevent water shutoffs. Internet, phone and other types of mobile providers have announced special considerations for customers. Contact your provider directly to learn more.

• Please note, you must use your paid sick leave prior to applying for unemployment benefits.

IF YOU ARE CARING FOR YOUR CHILD WHOSE SCHOOL OR CHILD CARE IS CLOSED (OR CHILD CARE PROVIDER IS UNAVAILABLE) DUE TO COVID-19:

• PAID SICK LEAVE: Depending on the size of your employer, you may qualify under the FFCRA for 14 days of sick time at 2/3 of your regular wages.  For info visit: https://nabtu.org/covid-19-resources/.  In addition, you can use up to 12 hours days of accrued sick leave you have earned with your employer (this cap is increased to 20 hours for employees who worked at least two (2) hours in any one week within the San Diego city limits). For info, visit: https://www.sandiego.gov/treasurer/minimum-wage-program

• PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE: Depending on the size of your employer, you may qualify under the FFCRA for 12 weeks of paid time off to care for them at 2/3 of your regular wages. For info visit,  https://nabtu.org/covid-19-resources/

• ADDITIONAL LEAVE: Depending on the size of your employer, you may also qualify for up to eight hours per month (and a maximum of 40 hours per year) of additional leave to care for a child whose school or child care is unavailable. For info, see California Labor Code section 230.8.

• UNEMPLOYMENT: Under the new federal worker unemployment assistance law, workers who are unable to work due to their child ‘s school or child case being unavailable also qualify for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits and will receive $600 extra per week for four months (through July 31). For more info, visit https://nabtu.org/covid-19-resources/ To apply for PUA, visit https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/UI_Online.htm

• See above for other resources regarding mortgage, rent and eviction relief, food assistance and utility services.

• Please note, you must use your paid sick leave or paid FMLA leave prior to applying for unemployment benefits.

IF YOU ARE LAID OFF DUE TO YOUR JOB SITESHUTTING DOWN:

• UNEMPLOYMENT: Under new federal worker assistance for workers who qualify for regular Unemployment benefits you will receive $600 extra per week for four months (through July 31). For workers who would not typically qualify for regular Unemployment, there are new provisions expanding access. For more info, visit https://nabtu.org/covid-19-resources/ For info on how to apply for Unemployment, visit  https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/UI_Online.htm

STIMULUS CHECK, WHO QUALIFIES AND HOW MUCH WILL I RECEIVE?

• For info on eligibility, visit: https://fortune.com/2020/03/25/stimulus-check-coronavirus-relief-bill-when-checks-sent-who-qualifies-how-much-retirees-taxable-direct-payment-faq/

• For an easy-to-use stimulus check calculator, visit: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/business/coronavirus-stimulus-check-calculator

Q&A

1. If I am not working, how will I maintain my healthcare coverage? IBEW 569 has worked with NECA and the Trust Office to ensure members currently enrolled in our plan will retain healthcare coverage through May 2020. Any Bargaining member who had coverage in March 2020 will maintain coverage through May 2020. This will be achieved through a combination of Hours Worked, Reserve Hours and the Trust crediting hours as necessary to maintain coverage. If you have questions about your specific circumstances, please contact the Trust office for more details.

2. I am not sure if I’ve been exposed or someone who lives in my household has been exposed, what should I do? Call your medical provider.

HELPFUL RESOURCES:

• IBEW 569 COVID-19 Updates: http://www.ibew569.org/news/ibew-569-covid-19-updates
• San Diego Health and Welfare Trust: https://569trusts.org/health-welfare/
• California COVID-19 website: https://covid19.ca.gov/
• California Labor Federation: https://calaborfed.org/coronavirus-outbreak-resources-and-information-for-workers/
• North America’s Building Trades Unions: https://nabtu.org/covid-19-resources/
• America’s Unions AFL-CIO: https://aflcio.org/covid-19

PLEASE NOTE t that the information in this flyer is the best information we have available at the time. Given the nature of the pandemic, and the various governmental responses to it, this information is subject to change. If you have any questions about your particular circumstances, please contact our Hall (858-569-8900) for assistance.