Sen. Susan Rubio Delivers, Helps Small Biz, Hardest Hit SGV Residents

Dear Neighbor,

Nearly $10 billion in state emergency relief for Californians is on its way. Our proposal, highlighted below, was crafted in collaboration with Gov. Newsom and will provide emergency relief for workers, their families, small businesses, students, and childcare providers. In addition, it will restore funding for public universities and colleges as well as the state’s courts system. As a classroom teacher, I know this relief will also help our students from falling further behind. Information will soon be available at COVID19.CA.GOV

Next, we have to figure out how to open schools safely while protecting teachers. I will continue to work with Gov. Newsom and my colleagues to do whatever it takes to alleviate the pain felt by so many in my Senate District and the state.

The package will offer assistance to families and businesses facing devastating economic hardship because of COVID-19 and will include:

  • Business tax deductions and fee relief;
  • Stimulus payments for low income population;
  • Child care subsidies;
  • And Student aid.

*Families who previously qualified for state programs and federal relief such as CalEITC, CalWORKs, and CalFresh should read the highlights below for more information.

*Businesses that previously qualified for state small business grants, and federal PPP business loans should read the highlights below to see how this package may help.

Highlights:

Direct Relief to Individuals and Families

If you qualified for California EITC in 2020, have an Individual Tax Identification Number and were precluded from the federal stimulus, make less than $30,000 as an individual or $75,000 as a household, you may be eligible for a one time, $600 stimulus payment.

In addition, if you are enrolled in CalWORKs or receive SSI/SSP and Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI) you may be eligible for a one-time $600 grant.

Immediate Relief for Small Businesses

The package extends the Small Business Relief grant program from $500 million to more than $2 billion. If you are Small Business owner who already applied for a loan, don’t worry about reapplying. If you have not applied, please visit for more information when the application period will open again https://www.grants.ca.gov/grants/california-small-business-covid-19-relief-grant-program/

In addition, California small businesses who received federal PPP loans could be eligible for state tax deductions up to $150,000.

Fee Waivers and License Relief

The package provides for two years of fee relief for roughly 59,000 restaurants and bars as well as relief for more than 600,000 barbering and cosmetology businesses.

More Resources for Critical Child Care

The package adds over $400 million in new federal funds that will provide stipends of $525 per enrolled child for all state-subsidized child care and preschool providers. 

The new federal resources will extend care for children of essential workers through June of 2022, and increase access to subsidized childcare for 8,000 additional children of essential workers and at-risk children during this time period.

Additional Aid for Individuals and Families

The package provides an additional $24 million for Housing for the Harvest – a program providing support for agricultural workers who have had to quarantine due to COVID-19.

The package also provides a combined $35 million for food banks and diapers.

Emergency Financial Relief to Support Community College Students

The package provides an additional $100 million in emergency financial aid for qualifying community college students who are enrolled in six or more units.

CalFresh Student Outreach and Application Assistance

The package provides roughly $16 million to support outreach and application assistance to income eligible higher education students for CalFresh food assistance.

Restoration of Reductions

The package restores previously enacted reductions, effective July 1st, for the UC, CSU, the Judicial Branch, Child Support Services, and for moderate-income housing.

This relief and stimulus package is intended to help as many families and businesses as possible with immediate relief. As more specifics are released, it will be available at COVID19.CA.GOV.  I will also post additional information to my website at https://sd22.senate.ca.gov/  and my Facebook page at @SenSusanRubio

Sincerely,

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Senator Susan Rubio
Senate District 22