Here at Innovative, our hearts go out to our community, all of our clients, their employees and families during this challenging time. As some of the shock and smoke of last week’s fire dies down, many of those affected are now focusing on how to begin rebuilding their lives. An important next step for people, employed by companies who closed due to the fires, is to apply for Unemployment Insurance(UI).
Over the last few days, we have received several inquiries into how soon employees can apply for UI benefits, and the answer is – RIGHT AWAY.
Last Monday, Gov. Brown suspended the one week waiting period for processing UI claims for applicants affected by the Northern California wildfires. Certain waiting periods and fees have also been waived for requesting lost records (such as driver’s identification cards, certificates of birth, death, marriage, vehicle registration, etc.). View the entire proclamation at https://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=19994
Resources currently available for employees:
Employment Development Department: If employees have missed time from work due to the fires, they can file for benefits at http://www.edd.ca.gov/About_EDD/Disaster_Related_Services.htm
TELEDOC: https://www.teladoc.com/cafires/ (855) 225-5032
Effective immediately, Teladoc has implemented an action plan for all people impacted by the wildfires in Northern California to offer access to general medical care at absolutely no cost for residents of the evacuation zones. This service is available to any individual affected during the emergency, and is not tied to current Teladoc membership, client or health plan accounts.
FEMA: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ – FEMA has opened up a relief center offering services on the 1st floor of the Press Democrat building at 427 Mendocino Avenue, Santa Rosa.
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Written by Lisa Scott, PHR, HR Implementation Specialist