City of Los Angeles Emergency Renters Assistance Program
Council President Nury Martinez announced the launch of the Emergency Renters’ Assistance Subsidy Program for City of Los Angeles residential tenants. The application window for this assistance is Monday, July 13th – Friday, July 17th.
Please note that while only tenants may apply for the subsidy, the payment will go directly to the landlord, who will have to agree to City terms to accept the payment. The basic eligibility requirements for tenants are:
- They live in a multi-family unit that is located in the City of LA
- They can provide proof of tenancy
- They earned at or below 80% of Area Median Income prior to March 13, 2020
- They can provide documentation that they have suffered a loss or reduction of income due to COVID-19 after March 13, 2020
Note: All tenants residing in the City of Los Angeles who meet the criteria may apply, regardless of immigration status. If you have questions regarding the Public Charge rule and your use of this program/benefit, please contact a qualified immigration attorney. You can find more information and legal resources on public charge here.
ERAS recipients will be chosen via lottery once the application window is closed; no preference will be given based on when during the application window an application was received.
Click here for a flier about the program. People can find more information about the program and how to apply at https://hcidla.lacity.org/ or by calling 844-944-1868.
Economic Impact Payment Information
For those that did not file taxes in 2018 and/or 2019 and meet certain criteria are still eligible for the Emergency Economic Impact Payment from the U.S. Government.
Eligible U.S. citizens or permanent residents who:
- Had gross income that did not exceed $12,200 ($24,400 for married couples) for 2019
- Were not otherwise required to file a federal income tax return for 2019, and didn’t plan to
You may apply here for non-tax filers to receive your payment:
https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here
Food Bank Guide
Click the link below for a Food Bank guide as provided by CHIRP LA. For more information, please visit their site.
Update from Friday, March 27
Web address: https://lacovidprod.service-now.com/rrs
Information about COVID-19 Testing
At this time, testing is limited in Los Angeles. We are working to expand testing as quickly as possible to provide this service to all Angelenos who need it.
For the moment, these tests are strictly limited to residents of Los Angeles who are in the most high-risk categories and most vulnerable.
Individuals eligible for testing at this time include:
- Those with symptoms who are 65 and older
- Those with symptoms who have underlying chronic health conditions
- Those who are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine period due to a confirmed COVID-19 exposure (with more than 7 days of quarantine remaining)
For more questions about testing, please visit our FAQ for answers to frequently asked questions.
Find out if you’re eligible for a test
https://lacovidprod.service-now.com/rrs
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary symptoms of COVID-19?
- Fever
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
What should I do if I’m experiencing severe symptoms?
If you or a family member are experiencing severe symptoms, please call your doctor. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911.
At this time, testing in L.A. is limited to the most vulnerable Angelenos. Am I eligible for testing?
Residents of Los Angeles in the highest-risk categories are eligible for testing now. This includes: Angelenos with COVID-19 symptoms who are:
- 65 and older; or
- Have underlying health conditions including:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Hypertension
- Chronic lung disease
- Moderate to severe asthma; and,
- People who are immunocompromised, including as a result of cancer treatment
Angelenos are also eligible for testing if they are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine period because they have been exposed to an individual with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and have more than 7 days of the 2-week quarantine period remaining.
Can I schedule an appointment if I am not a resident of the City of Los Angeles?
No. Testing is available only for residents of the City of L.A. who meet the eligibility criteria.
How do I check availability to sign up for a test?
To confirm eligibility and search testing appointment availability, go to coronavirus.LACity.org and click on the “Information on Testing” link in the yellow box at the top of the page.
If I make an appointment, when and where is testing being done?
There are currently four drive-through testing sites operating in the City of Los Angeles. When you book your appointment, you will receive a confirmation with the date, time, and location of your appointment, as well as other details.
What do I do if all of the appointments are full?
We are working to continue to add more testing capacity. Please check back to see when additional testing appointments have become available.
How far in advance can I schedule a test appointment?
Test appointments are available for the following day only.
What if there are no appointments available?
Please check back, as appointments will be made available each day for the following day.
How do I cancel my appointment?
You do not need to do anything to cancel your testing appointment. If you do not show up, the test will be reallocated to another Angeleno.
When do I need to arrive for my appointment?
Please arrive at the scheduled time listed on your confirmation email.
How long will the test take?
The test will take about five minutes, though you may have to wait until a medical professional is available.
Do I have to get out of my car?
No. The tests are drive-thru and can be done while you remain in the vehicle.
How much does the test cost?
The test is free of charge.
How quickly will I get my results?
Results are available between 24 to 36 hours after the test.
Can I have other people in my car when I arrive for testing?
Yes, but please do not expose others if you suspect you are ill. Only those with confirmed appointments will be tested.
What should I do if I do not have access to a vehicle?
At this time, testing is available via drive up only for appointments only. No walk-ups will be accepted, even those with confirmed appointments.
Update from Friday, March 20
Dear Kol Ami Community,
As you have likely already heard or seen on the news, Governor Newsom issued an Executive Order yesterday directing all individuals and non-essential businesses to stay at home to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19.) Accordingly, we have temporarily closed our building. We want to remind you, however, that Rabbi Eger and Rabbi Chaiken, along with our staff, remain here for you. We will be continuing to work, respond to phone calls and emails, and take meetings over the phone, or using Zoom or FaceTime to chat by video. Even in this time of physical distancing, we remain committed to staying #KolAmiStrong, and maintaining our community of caring and support for one another.
Rabbi Eger and Rabbi Chaiken will still be streaming Shabbat services tonight, March 20 at 6:30 PM PDT. You can join us on FB Live by visiting our page here. For those who do not use Facebook, you should still be able to view the livestream by visiting the homepage of our website, Kol-Ami.org – we have embedded the Facebook feed there for ease of access. Thanks to our leadership at the CCAR, you can find a copy of our prayerbook, Mishkan Tefillah here as a Free online flipbookor you can purchase a discounted Kindle ebook. We will still be recalling the names of those in our community who are in need of healing, as well as reciting Kaddish for those who are in a period of mourning or commemorating a yahrzeit.
Our monthly Torah Stories class will still take place tomorrow, Saturday March 21 starting at 10:00 AM using Zoom— click here to join at that time! For any who have never used Zoom, you can download the video client for free by clicking here.
Our monthly HIV+ support group will also still take place tomorrow, Saturday March 21 starting at 12:15 PM using Zoom. As usual, you can RSVP confidentially to Rabbi Eger by email to rabbi@kol-ami.org, and she will send you the link to log in.
Also on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 PM pacific, you can also join Rabbi Eger and the Human Rights Campaign, along with other interfaith LGBTQ leaders for a Virtual Interfaith Service. You can click here to join by Zoom. The “Coming Home to Faith” national faith tour explores and strengthens the relationship between LGBTQ and faith communities across the United States. Engaging in this conversation and looking for ways to come together is especially important during this election year, and doing so remotely is key in the midst of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Speakers will include HRC President Alphonso David, Senior Minister Carmarion Anderson, HRC; The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries; Ret. Bishop, Gene Robinson, Episcopal Church, DC; Rabbi Denise Eger, Reform Judaism, LA; Rev. Michelle Higgins, Movement for Black Lives, MO; Pastor Josh Scott, GracePointe Church, Nashville, TN; Imam Abdullah Antepli, Duke University, NC; and J.J. Warren, Candidate for Ordination. You can click here to join by Zoom on Saturday at 3:30 PM Pacific.
As we announced in Wednesday’s eKoleinu, we are also participating with synagogues throughout LA to build a consortium of online resources called Jew It At Home. This diverse collection of resources and experiences includes support, learning, yoga, music, and so much more for our community members of all ages. You can read more on our website here.
Additionally, we are working with our board and the members of our community who are at lower risk to help create a corps of volunteers to support those at higher risk in the coming days with technology, groceries, and moral support. You can let us know by email to staff@kol-ami.org or by calling the office at (323) 606-0996. If you would like to offer your help, you can sign up to do so here.
We know that many of you may be worried or anxious at this time, and so most importantly, we want you to know that we are here to offer our support and our prayers, even while we may not be able to offer our physical presence.
May we move into this Shabbat with resilience and with hope. We pray for a complete healing for all who are ill, and we pray that all of our medical professionals and our leaders remain strong as they care for the people of our nation and our world.
May the angels of Shabbat bring you blessings, love, and peace.
Shabbat Shalom!
eKoleinu Letter From March 18, 2020
Dear Kol Ami Community,
We want to share some exciting news and update you on all the ways we can stay connected during this time of social distancing.
You will find lots of upcoming opportunities to connect with your fellow temple members and friends, including new online offerings like JEWITATHOME and our online Book Club and Havdalah.
Rabbi Eger and Rabbi Chaiken have been reaching out systematically to our temple members, including our most vulnerable congregants, to assess needs. We are gathering volunteers who will be able to shop and/or help with technology for those who are unable to do so, or may need technological support to stay connected with others. Do you need help getting on Zoom, our online platform? Can you volunteer to pick up prescriptions or groceries for someone who must self-quarantine? Do you have a skill to teach or class to share that you would be willing to offer to fellow congregants? Please let Rabbi Eger know so we can help those who need it most.
We have transitioned to all meetings, services, programs and classes online for the time being. This means that our Second Night Passover Seder will not take place in person. Anyone who had already paid for a ticket already will be refunded, but Rabbi Eger and Rabbi Chaiken will still conduct an ONLINE Seder on the second night of Passover, Thursday April 9 at 6:00 PM with Rabbi Eger and Rabbi Chaiken. Please register here today!
Both Rabbi Eger and Rabbi Chaiken are available by phone, or online, for one-to-one appointments, but will not be setting appointments in person at this time.
We hope you’ll join us for our Shabbat services this Friday, March 20 at 6:30 PMonline, either by visiting our Facebook page or the Livestream feed on our website. Saturday morning you can join Rabbi Eger for our monthly Torah Stories class on Zoom (Meeting ID 258 227 901). More information follows below about other activities, and about our newest way to connect – JEWITATHOME – a project by a consortium of Reform congregations across Los Angeles, making online programming available to all of us!
Please remember you can reach out to us just as we will continue to reach out to you! We hope you will send an extra gift of gratitude to our temple at this time, to support us as we retool our program, and continue to be present in these difficult hours.