RESOURCES FOR INDIVIDUALS

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STRONGER TOGETHER. SAFELY APART.

Resources for Individuals

Federal, state and local assistance programs are available to small business owners, employers, employees and residents. Below are resources specifically targeted to individuals and workers.

Services for Workers

SBCWDB COVID-19 Workers Resource Guide (English)

SBCWDB COVID-19 Workers Resource Guide (Spanish)

As of March 17, 2020, our Santa Barbara and Santa Maria America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs) are closed to the public.

We recognize that there is an increased need and urgency for employment services. Therefore, you will continue to access services and resources via the phone, via email or online. Furthermore, our AJCCs are taking every possible measure to shift previous in-person services to remote/virtual. We will keep you informed as they become available. Critical services that require in person interaction will be done by appointment only.

For dislocated/laid off workers, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Career Services can provide the following benefits, to the extent that services can be provided in person or virtually:

Employment services including job search assistance, career planning, workforce preparation activities.
Short-term pre-vocational services
Training services (vocational or on-the-job training)

For more information or for appointments, connect with your talent development specialist or call your local center at Santa Maria, 805.614.1550 or Santa Barbara, 805.568.1393.

Watch this video of our workforce programs for adult job seekers.
Watch this video introduction of our youth program for young adults.
For laid off or furloughed workers, this video explains the different resources available to you.

The Workforce Development Board also received several grants to provide job seekers with assistance. These programs provide assistance to workers whose employment was affected due to COVID-19, veterans, youths, etc. Click here to access the flyer that provides information and contact information for the various programs we have available.

Weekly Virtual Webinars

Allan Hancock College Non-Credit Department will be providing webinars as part of the America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) Virtual Services. This will further enhance the quality of our webinars, which have been ongoing since the beginning of the pandemic. These are one-hour, FREE, live employment-related/preparation webinars. Click here for the Weekly Webinar flyer.

Wednesdays and Thursdays at 1 PM
https://zoom.us/j/4575622746
Meeting ID: 457 562 2746
Call In: 1 (669) 900 – 6833

Samples of topics include:

Job Search – Websites, Engines, How to Organize
Resumes – 3 Types, Using Job Descriptions to Write Your Resume
Making Your Case with Cover Letter
First Impressions
Interviewing – STAR Techniques, Common Interviewing Questions, Ultimate Tips, Mock Interviews
Transferable Skills
Find your Passions
What is your Work Style?
“Up” Skilling your Current Employment Skills
Developing an Elevator Speech
How to Network for Employment
How to Develop a Professional 5-Year Plan
Soft Skills vs. Hard Skills
Top Skills Employers are Looking For
Work Values
Interest Inventories

Access the AJCC Recorded Trainings and Services below:

Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Orientation
How to Job Search in a Pandemic
Job Development
Job Readiness
The Academy
Tips for Virtual Interviews
Rapid Response Presentation for Workers who were Laid Off Due to a Business Closure or Downsizing
Online Applications – What’s New?

Unemployment Insurance and Other CA Programs

Unemployment Insurance

If you have lost work or have had your hours reduced we encourage you to apply for Employment Development Department (EDD) Unemployment Insurance (UI). In California, Governor Newsom has waived the one-week waiting period for benefits and is looking at expanding UI claim offerings.

For comprehensive guidance and resources about state benefits related to employment and COVID-19, we highly recommend this FAQ page from EDD.

May 1 EDD webinar on “Assistance Programs for Workers during COVID-19” presentation slides.

As of March 17, 2020, our Santa Barbara and Santa Maria America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs) are closed to the public. This includes EDD Workforce Services, located at each AJCC. There are multiple ways to file for Unemployment Insurance:

Online: You can file a claim online here

By-phone: Representatives are available at the following toll-free numbers, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon Pacific Time except on state holidays.
- English 1-800-300-5616
- Spanish 1-800-326-8937
- Cantonese 1-800-547-3506
- Mandarin 1-866-303-0706
- Vietnamese 1-800-547-2058
- TTY 1-800-815-9387
By Mail or by Fax: File your UI claim by accessing the paper Unemployment Insurance Application. For faster and secure processing, fax the completed application to the number listed on the form. If you mail your application, use the address on the form and allow additional time for processing. If any of the items below pertains to you, it is best that you file a claim using the paper Unemployment Insurance claim process:
- Worked in California and Another State English | Spanish
- Served in the Military English | Spanish
- Worked for the Federal Government English | Spanish
How to Apply for UI Benefits (File a Claim) (YouTube)
English | Spanish | Cantonese | Vietnamese | Mandarin

In the case that you do not have access to a computer or do not have a phone to receive calls or an email, access to a phone or computer to reach Unemployment Insurance will be provided by the AJCC by appointment only. For general information or appointments, connect the AJCC at Santa Maria, 805.614.1550 or Santa Barbara, 805.568.1393. For information and available resources during the closure of the AJCC, please feel free to email the following:

Santa Barbara County WSBSantaBarbaraInfo@edd.ca.gov
Ventura County WSBOxnardInformation@edd.ca.gov
San Luis Obispo County WSBSanLuisObispoInfo@edd.ca.gov

Other Benefits

Click on this link to view a matrix summarizing all the benefits for workers impacted by COVID-19.

Paid sick leave law provides time off to many workers. You are entitled to use whatever sick leave you have accumulated.

California law provides for paid family leave, which you may be eligible for if you are providing care for an ill or quarantined family member.

In the event of a particularly long illness, you may be eligible for disability benefits, provided your illness is certified by a medical professional.

If you were exposed to COVID-19 while on the job and in the course of your regular duties, you may also qualify for workers’ compensation.

For all part-time, intermittent, reduced hours, and reduced wage situations, the Employment Development Department (EDD) suggests that you file a claim, and after we receive your properly completed claim, we will determine if you are eligible for Disability Insurance (DI) or Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

As part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program helps unemployed Californians who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular state Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits who are out of business or services are significantly reduced as a direct result of the pandemic. The provisions of the program once operational include:

Up to 39 weeks of benefits starting with weeks of unemployment beginning February 2, 2020, through the week ending December 31, 2020, depending on when you became directly impacted by the pandemic.
An additional $600 to each PUA weekly benefit amount you may be eligible to receive, as part of the separate CARES Act Pandemic Additional Compensation program. Only the weeks of a claim between March 29 and July 31 are eligible for the extra $600 payments.

Click here for a COVID-19 Guide to Applying for Unemployment Benefits.

Additional Resources

We are working closely with the State of California for additional emergency benefits to workers impacted by this health crisis.

County of Santa Barbara Social Services provides assistance with health coverage, food aid, cash aid, job services, child services, and adult services.
- Social Services website
- Comprehensive list of additional services and resources
In need of services and don’t know where to turn? Just pick up the phone and call 211 or click here to find resources for food, shelter, health care, childcare, domestic abuse support, counseling, and many other services for families, seniors, veterans and more. The 211 service is free, confidential, and available 24/7 in over 150 languages.
Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) – requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.
FEMA Funeral Assistance Resource – In early April, FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic.