Before we discuss several critical new programs, I hope you and your families have been staying healthy and happy. Just this afternoon, Governor Newsom discussed easing quarantine restrictions based on maintaining or decreasing the number of new COVID-19 infections. Based on recent figures, Riverside County is trending in the right direction, so keep up the good work!
In today’s community update, we will discuss the Great Plates Delivered program and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.
The Great Plates Delivered program will provide three meals a day, seven days a week to (i) those over 65 years of age, or those 60 years of age or older with CDC-identified COVID-19 risk factors; (ii) those who are not already participating in State or Federally funded meal-assistance programs; and (iii) those who are unable to access meals due to COVID-19 restrictions. There are additional program criteria, such as individuals who meet the above criteria must make less than $74,940 per year (individually) or $101,460 per year (as a couple). You can learn more about program eligibility criteria by reviewing this link.
While a State program, Great Plates Delivered within the Coachella Valley, is being administered through the Riverside County Office of Aging. If you qualify for this program and would like to apply, please use this link. Submitting your name through the State website will only slow Riverside County down in processing your local application. All applications received through the State will be forwarded to, in our case, Riverside County. Riverside County's Office of Aging will, in turn, reach out to you and ask you to apply through their program webpage.
If you are a restaurant and would like to participate in the Great Plates Delivered Program, after reviewing the program’s participation criteria, please apply through this link. The restaurant interest form is located towards the bottom of that webpage. Once you submit your name and contact information, the County will contact you.
If you, either as a program participant or local restaurant, have any questions, please contact me at sjames@cathedralcity.gov or 760-770-0336.
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program (“PUA”) is an unemployment assistance program made possible by the CARES Act. The PUA program provides financial support to business owners, independent contractors, or self-employed impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program offers up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits. The eligibility window began on February 2, 2020, and closes on December 26, 2020. PUA pays a minimum of $167.00 per week. Depending on your 2019 income, you may qualify for a weekly amount of up to $450.00. For those who are eligible, between March 29, 2020, to July 25, 2020, the $600 per week Federal Pandemic Additional Compensation Program (“PACP”) payment will be added to your PUA payments. To determine eligibility and enroll in both the PUA and PACP benefit programs, please apply online. If you have any questions or need assistance completing your application, please contact the Riverside County Work Force Development office.
We need all Cathedral City residents to accelerate our economic recovery by shopping locally. Check out our website, Cathedral City Shop Local, to find categories and lists of all the businesses within Cathedral City which need your support. Shopping at our businesses will help keep our retailers alive and keep your tax dollars within the City. These tax dollars fund critical services such as our Police, our Fire Department, and road maintenance. There is no better testimonial for attracting new businesses than to ensure our existing businesses are prosperous.
Lastly, please do everything you can to keep your properties in great shape. Property appearance is an important “selling point” when prospective homebuyers, business owners, and developers are looking for their next “perfect” location.
Please share the City’s dedicated websites, www.discovercathedralcity.com and www.ccedd.org, with your friends and families. As a team, we are all a part of the long-term success of Cathedral City, an incredible place to live, work, and play.
