Emergency

Immigrant resources

Resources are available to assist the immigrant community living in Sonoma County both locally and federally that are not a public charge.

Legal support

California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc (CRLA) provides free, confidential legal consultations for low-wage workers in rural areas and small cities of California. CRLA’s Workers’ Rights Helpline (1-800-357-9513) is available Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm. CRLA resources include:
- Rights as an agricultural worker during the COVID-19 public health crisis (PDF)
- Public Charge rights for public benefits or services(PDF)
- COVID-19 Workplace Health & Safety for California Agriculture Workers

Housing and financial support

Sonoma County COVID-19 Eviction Defense Ordinance:
For tenant support and questions about how the eviction ordinance passed by the Board of Supervisors may apply to you, contact Legal Aid Sonoma County at (707) 542-1290 or California Rural Legal Assistance at (707) 528-9941.

Additional local housing and renter support information can be found on our Housing and Assistance page.
Sonoma County Secure Families Collaborative: All Collaborative service providers are still available through tele-consultation for all legal, social and mental health services. However, in-person consultations are suspended until further notice, unless absolutely necessary, to curb the spread of COVID-19. Call (707) 819-2272 for any general Secure Families Collaborative information.

State and federal resources

California Farmworkers Initiative
The State of California Guide for Immigrant Californians has information on how to protect yourself, and your family during this time.
Additional Help for Immigrants in California, including information on the Disaster Relief Fund to support undocumented Californians impacted by COVID-19 who are ineligible for unemployment insurance benefits and disaster relief, including the CARES Act, due to immigration status.
Economic Assistance Programs Accessible Online: Access Medi-Cal, Covered California, and CalFresh during this emergency, by applying online.
Help with your mortgage: For mortgage relief contact your mortgage servicer. Visit the Fannie Mae website for more information on mortgage relief for loans owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Additional information is posted on the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s page.
Unemployment Insurance: Unemployment Insurance (UI) is an employer-paid program that provides partial income replacement when you become unemployed or have your hours reduced and meet all eligibility requirements. File a claim with the Employment Development Department.
For information about job protection and employment discrimination, visit the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing website.
COVID-19 Infection Prevention for Agricultural Employers and Employees
IRS Economic Impact Payments: There is no action needed by most people at this time.
Free or low-cost Medi-Cal health insurance: Who might be eligible:
- Low-income people under age 26, regardless of immigration status
- Low-income adults over 26 with Social Security numbers
- Those on SSI or SSD
- See if you qualify: https://www.mybenefitscalwin.org/
Secure County Secure Families Collaborative
Legal Aid of Sonoma County
California Legal Rural Assistance

Undocumented Californians

Public charge

The federal government has said that using health care services for COVID-19 prevention, testing or treatment alone does not make you a public charge. Medi-Cal care for COVID-19 related testing or treatment does NOT count under the public charge rule because it is the treatment of an emergency medical condition.

NOT all immigrants are subject to a public charge determination.
Public benefits accepted by family members are generally NOT considered under the public charge rule
The new rule does NOT change eligibility rules for public benefits programs.
Only some benefits are considered public benefits for purposes of public charge.

Please don’t let fear stop you from getting the necessary treatment, as the effects of avoiding health care services may be very serious. This will help keep you, your family, and your community healthy.

Public benefits NOT considered for public charge

Medi-Cal benefits received for the treatment of an emergency medical condition.
School-based services or benefits.
Medi-Cal benefits received by a noncitizen under 21 years of age
Medi-Cal benefits received by a woman during pregnancy and during the 60-day period beginning on the last day of the pregnancy.
Public health assistance for immunizations with respect to immunizable diseases, and for testing and treatment of symptoms of communicable diseases whether or not such symptoms are caused by a communicable disease; and many more.

As of November 2, 2020 the expanded public charge rule is no longer in effect until the end of COVID-19.

Learn more: https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/public-charge

Know your rights: https://protectingimmigrantfamilies.org/know-your-rights/