Stimulus Package Summary

ASSISTANCE	FUNDING	ELIGIBLE GROUPS	DESCRIPTION	IMPACT
Recovery Rebates (CARES Act)	$1,200 per American who earns up to $75,000 (or up to $150K for joint-filers and up to $112,500 for head of household).	Individuals over 16 years old with a valid SSN and not claimed as a dependent in a 2019 tax filing. Individuals with no income or receiving income from SSI or Disability.	These rebates are one time only. Payments are expected to arrive in April via direct deposit (if the IRS has your bank info on file).	Click Here for Relief Payment Calculator Click Here for Status of Economic Impact Payment Rebates are intended to support Americans' most immediate needs, which may otherwise be difficult to meet during this crisis. No application necessary.
Retirement Funds (CARES Act)	N/A	Individual, spouse or dependents who tested positive for COVID-19 and experienced negative economic consequences.	Suspension of mandatory minimum distributions from retirement accounts. Waives the 10% penalty on early withdrawals (up to $100K) from qualified retirement accounts for COVID-19 purposes in 2020 only. Income taxes owed on withdrawal amount may be spread out over 3 years from the distribution date; or taxpayer may recontribute the funds to the retirement plan within the first 3 years.	Intended to support Americans' most immediate needs, which may otherwise be difficult to meet during this crisis. Click Here for more information
Real ID (CARES Act)	N/A	All individuals	Real ID deadline extended to September 30, 2021.	Provides individuals with additional time to acquire a legally required REAL ID. Application available at your local DMV.
Expanded FMLA Coverage (HR 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act)	See Description	Private employers with fewer than 500 employees and all government entities required to provide this benefit. Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees may be exempt.	Individual employees will receive Paid FMLA to care for a child whose school or day care has closed due to COVID. Employees must have been employed for at least 30 days and must not be eligible to work remotely while caring for children. First 10 days are unpaid but will receive up to 10 weeks of partially paid family leave at two-thirds of their regular rate. Paid leave cannot exceed $200 per day and $10,000 total for the full 10 weeks.	Click Here for more information Will provide job protection and financial assistance so employee may take leave to care for one's family as a direct result of COVID-19. Job protection is not required for businesses with fewer than 25 employees.
Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (HR 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act)	See Description	Private employers with fewer than 500 employees and all government entities required to provide this benefit. Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees may be exempt.	Provides certain employees with 2 weeks paid sick leave: -No more than $500 per day and $5,100 in aggregate per employee who is unable to work due to quarantine or isolation orders or is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms -No more than $200 daily and $2,000 in aggregate per employee who cannot work due to caring for sick individuals subject to quarantine, or their children whose schools are closed.	Will provide job protection and financial assistance so employee may take leave to care for oneself or one's family as a direct result of COVID-19.

ASSISTANCE

FUNDING

ELIGIBLE GROUPS

DESCRIPTION

IMPACT

Recovery Rebates

(CARES Act)

$1,200 per American who earns up to $75,000 (or up to $150K for joint-filers and up to $112,500 for head of household).

Individuals over 16 years old with a valid SSN and not claimed as a dependent in a 2019 tax filing.

Individuals with no income or receiving income from SSI or Disability.

These rebates are one time only. Payments are expected to arrive in April via direct deposit (if the IRS has your bank info on file).

Click Here for Relief Payment Calculator

Click Here for Status of Economic Impact Payment

Rebates are intended to support Americans' most immediate needs, which may otherwise be difficult to meet during this crisis.

No application necessary.

Retirement Funds

(CARES Act)

N/A

Individual, spouse or dependents who tested positive for COVID-19 and experienced negative economic consequences.

Suspension of mandatory minimum distributions from retirement accounts. Waives the 10% penalty on early withdrawals (up to $100K) from qualified retirement accounts for COVID-19 purposes in 2020 only.

Income taxes owed on withdrawal amount may be spread out over 3 years from the distribution date; or taxpayer may recontribute the funds to the retirement plan within the first 3 years.

Intended to support Americans' most immediate needs, which may otherwise be difficult to meet during this crisis.

Click Here for more information

Real ID

(CARES Act)

N/A

All individuals

Real ID deadline extended to September 30, 2021.

Provides individuals with additional time to acquire a legally required REAL ID.

Application available at your local DMV.

Expanded FMLA Coverage

(HR 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act)

See Description

Private employers with fewer than 500 employees and all government entities required to provide this benefit.

Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees may be exempt.

Individual employees will receive Paid FMLA to care for a child whose school or day care has closed due to COVID. Employees must have been employed for at least 30 days and must not be eligible to work remotely while caring for children.

First 10 days are unpaid but will receive up to 10 weeks of partially paid family leave at two-thirds of their regular rate.

Paid leave cannot exceed $200 per day and $10,000 total for the full 10 weeks.

Click Here for more information

Will provide job protection and financial assistance so employee may take leave to care for one's family as a direct result of COVID-19.

Job protection is not required for businesses with fewer than 25 employees.

Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act

(HR 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act)

See Description

Private employers with fewer than 500 employees and all government entities required to provide this benefit.

Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees may be exempt.

Provides certain employees with 2 weeks paid sick leave:

-No more than $500 per day and $5,100 in aggregate per employee who is unable to work due to quarantine or isolation orders or is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms

-No more than $200 daily and $2,000 in aggregate per employee who cannot work due to caring for sick individuals subject to quarantine, or their children whose schools are closed.

Will provide job protection and financial assistance so employee may take leave to care for oneself or one's family as a direct result of COVID-19.

ASSISTANCE	FUNDING	ELIGIBLE GROUPS	DESCRIPTION	IMPACT
Orange County United Way - Pandemic Relief Fund	No award limits specified	Individuals	Funds will be used to: 1. Prevent growth in homelessness due to the economic impacts of COVID-19 to low-income individuals and families through emergency support such as rental, food, utility, and other emergency assistance. 2. Support the public health response to protect our homeless neighbors; and support organizations who are on the frontlines through materials and supplies to prevent the spread of disease, as well as increasing the overall capacity of the shelter system to be able to address the crisis and meet emergency health standards. 3. Provide support to low-income students and their families who require assistance with staying connected to their academic learning and other emergency services. 4. Provide additional support to our non-profit partners, such as the local food banks and other vital community services, so they can continue doing their critical human services work in this time of need.	Individuals in need must reach out to the OC United Way Directly at (949) 660-7600.

ASSISTANCE

FUNDING

ELIGIBLE GROUPS

DESCRIPTION

IMPACT

Orange County United Way - Pandemic Relief Fund

No award limits specified

Individuals

Funds will be used to:

1. Prevent growth in homelessness due to the economic impacts of COVID-19 to low-income individuals and families through emergency support such as rental, food, utility, and other emergency assistance.

2. Support the public health response to protect our homeless neighbors; and support organizations who are on the frontlines through materials and supplies to prevent the spread of disease, as well as increasing the overall capacity of the shelter system to be able to address the crisis and meet emergency health standards.

3. Provide support to low-income students and their families who require assistance with staying connected to their academic learning and other emergency services.

4. Provide additional support to our non-profit partners, such as the local food banks and other vital community services, so they can continue doing their critical human services work in this time of need.

Individuals in need must reach out to the OC United Way Directly at (949) 660-7600.

ASSISTANCE	FUNDING	ELIGIBLE GROUPS	DESCRIPTION	IMPACT
Paycheck Protection Program (CARES Act)	$350B in federally guaranteed SBA loans	Businesses with fewer than 500 employees; self employed or gig economy individuals; and certain non-profits. Businesses with fewer than 50 employees can request an exemption.	Loans may equal up to 250 percent of an employer’s average monthly payroll costs. The maximum loan amount is $10M capped at 4% interest. Loan funds that pay for the following expenses during the first 8 weeks of the loan term will be forgiven: salary, wages, and payment of cash tips (up to an annual rate of pay of $100,000); employee group health care benefits, including insurance premiums; retirement contributions; covered leave; and rent/utilities. Any loan funds that remain and are spent after the initial 8 week period will be subject to the interest rate that was agreed upon with the lender. Loan participation costs will be reduced, and applicants will receive an automatic deferment of payments for 1 year. Assistance expires 12/31/2020.	These flexible and forgiveable loans are intended to provide businesses with 8 weeks of cash flow assistance to prevent employee layoffs and keep businesses viable. Loans are immediately accessible through 800+ existing SBA-certified lenders. Qualified applications can be approved within 2 weeks.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (CARES Act)	$562M	Qualified small businesses	Applicants may request $10,000 loan advances at 3.75% for small businesses or 2.75% for non-profits. Loans may be used towards operating expenses and fixed debts that cannot be paid due to COVID-19 disruptions.	These smaller, low interest loans are designed to provide cash flow to qualified small businesses suffering economic injury from COVID-19.
Employer Payroll Taxes Deferral (CARES Act)	N/A	Employers and self-employed individuals	Eligible groups may defer payment of the employer share of the Social Security tax.	Designed to increase temporary cash flow to qualified employers
Employee Retention Credit for Employers (CARES Act)		Employers whose operations were fully/partially suspended due to COVID shutdown order or gross receipts declined by more than 50% compared to same quarter in prior year.	Provides refundable payroll tax credit for 50% of wages paid by employers to employees during crisis.	Designed to increase temporary cash flow to qualified employers
Tax Credits for Paid Sick and Paid Family and Medical Leave (HR 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act)	See Description	Private employers	Employers will be eligible for refundable payroll tax credits for employers to cover the costs of all required paid leave provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (see Leave Benefits for Individuals). This includes amounts that employers pay for a worker's health insurance plan. Self employed individuals will be eligible to cover their own costs.	Will alleviate some of the burden to employers to provide proper leave for their employees during this crisis.

ASSISTANCE

FUNDING

ELIGIBLE GROUPS

DESCRIPTION

IMPACT

Paycheck Protection Program

(CARES Act)

$350B in federally guaranteed SBA loans

Businesses with fewer than 500 employees; self employed or gig economy individuals; and certain non-profits.

Businesses with fewer than 50 employees can request an exemption.

Loans may equal up to 250 percent of an employer’s average monthly payroll costs. The maximum loan amount is $10M capped at 4% interest.

Loan funds that pay for the following expenses during the first 8 weeks of the loan term will be forgiven: salary, wages, and payment of cash tips (up to an annual rate of pay of $100,000); employee group health care benefits, including insurance premiums; retirement contributions; covered leave; and rent/utilities.

Any loan funds that remain and are spent after the initial 8 week period will be subject to the interest rate that was agreed upon with the lender.

Loan participation costs will be reduced, and applicants will receive an automatic deferment of payments for 1 year.

Assistance expires 12/31/2020.

These flexible and forgiveable loans are intended to provide businesses with 8 weeks of cash flow assistance to prevent employee layoffs and keep businesses viable.

Loans are immediately accessible through 800+ existing SBA-certified lenders.

Qualified applications can be approved within 2 weeks.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans

(CARES Act)

$562M

Qualified small businesses

Applicants may request $10,000 loan advances at 3.75% for small businesses or 2.75% for non-profits.

Loans may be used towards operating expenses and fixed debts that cannot be paid due to COVID-19 disruptions.

These smaller, low interest loans are designed to provide cash flow to qualified small businesses suffering economic injury from COVID-19.

Employer Payroll Taxes Deferral

(CARES Act)

N/A

Employers and self-employed individuals

Eligible groups may defer payment of the employer share of the Social Security tax.

Designed to increase temporary cash flow to qualified employers

Employee Retention Credit for Employers

(CARES Act)

Employers whose operations were fully/partially suspended due to COVID shutdown order or gross receipts declined by more than 50% compared to same quarter in prior year.

Provides refundable payroll tax credit for 50% of wages paid by employers to employees during crisis.

Designed to increase temporary cash flow to qualified employers

Tax Credits for Paid Sick and Paid Family and Medical Leave

(HR 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act)

See Description

Private employers

Employers will be eligible for refundable payroll tax credits for employers to cover the costs of all required paid leave provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (see Leave Benefits for Individuals).

This includes amounts that employers pay for a worker's health insurance plan.

Self employed individuals will be eligible to cover their own costs.

Will alleviate some of the burden to employers to provide proper leave for their employees during this crisis.

ASSISTANCE	FUNDING	ELIGIBLE GROUPS	DESCRIPTION	IMPACT
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance	N/A	Unemployed or partially unemployed persons who are not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits (i.e. self-employed, independent contractors, limited work history) and cannot work due to COVID.	Increases benefits for qualified individuals by an add'l $600 per week for up to 4 months. Benefits are effective thru 12/31/2020. Expands unemployment insurance by 13 add'l weeks; in total, workers may receive up to 39 weeks of unemployment insurance. Funding is available beginning in the first week of unemployment. Benefit amounts are calculated based on previous income using a formula from the Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program. Assistance covers the following reasons: (1) individual who cannot work because he is diagnosed, experiencing symptoms, or caring for a household member with COVID; (2) individual cannot work due to caring for a family member during school closures (3) individual who cannot work because he is quarantined (4) individual who is unable to work because he was laid off and lacked work history to qualify for UI under normal circumstances.	Click here for more information. This additional unemployment assistance is intended to bring the employee's salary back to 100% temporarily. Apply with your local EDD office.
Emergency Unemployment Relief	N/A	Government entities and non-profits	Payments to States to reimburse eligible groups for 50% of the costs they incur through 12/31/20 to pay for unemployment benefits.	Provides employers with temporary financial relief to maintain staff.

ASSISTANCE

FUNDING

ELIGIBLE GROUPS

DESCRIPTION

IMPACT

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

N/A

Unemployed or partially unemployed persons who are not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits (i.e. self-employed, independent contractors, limited work history) and cannot work due to COVID.

Increases benefits for qualified individuals by an add'l $600 per week for up to 4 months. Benefits are effective thru 12/31/2020.

Expands unemployment insurance by 13 add'l weeks; in total, workers may receive up to 39 weeks of unemployment insurance.

Funding is available beginning in the first week of unemployment.

Benefit amounts are calculated based on previous income using a formula from the Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program.

Assistance covers the following reasons: (1) individual who cannot work because he is diagnosed, experiencing symptoms, or caring for a household member with COVID; (2) individual cannot work due to caring for a family member during school closures (3) individual who cannot work because he is quarantined (4) individual who is unable to work because he was laid off and lacked work history to qualify for UI under normal circumstances.

Click here for more information.

This additional unemployment assistance is intended to bring the employee's salary back to 100% temporarily.

Apply with your local EDD office.

Emergency Unemployment Relief

N/A

Government entities and non-profits

Payments to States to reimburse eligible groups for 50% of the costs they incur through 12/31/20 to pay for unemployment benefits.

Provides employers with temporary financial relief to maintain staff.

ASSISTANCE	FUNDING	ELIGIBLE GROUPS	DESCRIPTION	IMPACT
Mortgage Relief	N/A	Federally-backed mortgage holders	Federally backed mortgage holders have a right to request forbearance for up to 180 days; loan holders have the right to request an extension for up to another 180 days with no fees, interests, or penalties. Federally backed, multifamily mortgage loan holders can receive a 30 day forbearance with two 30-day extensions. Those with federally-backed mortage loans with tenants cannot evict solely for failure to pay rent for 120 day period; may not charge fees or penalties for failing to pay rent.	Guide to Coronavirus Mortgage Relief Options Increases housing security for mortgage holders financially affected by COVID-19.

ASSISTANCE

FUNDING

ELIGIBLE GROUPS

DESCRIPTION

IMPACT

Mortgage Relief

N/A

Federally-backed mortgage holders

Federally backed mortgage holders have a right to request forbearance for up to 180 days; loan holders have the right to request an extension for up to another 180 days with no fees, interests, or penalties.

Federally backed, multifamily mortgage loan holders can receive a 30 day forbearance with two 30-day extensions.

Those with federally-backed mortage loans with tenants cannot evict solely for failure to pay rent for 120 day period; may not charge fees or penalties for failing to pay rent.

Guide to Coronavirus Mortgage Relief Options

Increases housing security for mortgage holders financially affected by COVID-19.

ASSISTANCE	FUNDING	ELIGIBLE GROUPS	DESCRIPTION	IMPACT
Pell Grant Assistance	N/A	Students who dropped out of college due to COVID-19 reasons	Qualified students are not required to return Pell grants or federal student loans to the Secretary of Education.	Provide borrowers for temporary reprieve.
Education Stabilization Fund	$30.75B	School districts, and colleges Student borrowers	Funds can cover the costs of preventing, preparing, responding to COVID such as lost revenue, online education, grants for food, housing, books, technology, health and child care. Federal loan, student borrowers will receive a 6-month reprieve from loan payments thru 9/30/20. Suspension for these loans (taken out in the past 10 years) will be automatic and no interest will accrue during the 6 month period. Waiver does not apply to private or state issued loans. But Sallie Mae and Navient may offer suspensions for up to 3 months; contact these lenders directly to apply for suspensions. Wells Fargo is also offering suspensions without a commitment to time frame.	Click Here for more information Provide borrowers for temporary reprieve and support schools who have incurred extraordinary costs to respond to COVID-19.
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund	$13.5B in formula grants to states	States. 90% of funds will be distributed by states to local education agencies.	Assist local education agencies with COVID related expenses that were incurred, such as coordinating school closures, online learning, etc.	Click Here for More Information Provides financial support for school districts who have incurred extraordinary costs to respond to COVID-19.
Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund	$3 Billion	States will distribute funds to local educational agencies	Provides financial support for schools that are deemed to be most significantly impacted by COVID-19.	Click Here for More InformationProvides financial support for school districts who have incurred extraordinary costs to respond to COVID-19

ASSISTANCE

FUNDING

ELIGIBLE GROUPS

DESCRIPTION

IMPACT

Pell Grant Assistance

N/A

Students who dropped out of college due to COVID-19 reasons

Qualified students are not required to return Pell grants or federal student loans to the Secretary of Education.

Provide borrowers for temporary reprieve.

Education Stabilization Fund

$30.75B

School districts, and colleges

Student borrowers

Funds can cover the costs of preventing, preparing, responding to COVID such as lost revenue, online education, grants for food, housing, books, technology, health and child care.

Federal loan, student borrowers will receive a 6-month reprieve from loan payments thru 9/30/20. Suspension for these loans (taken out in the past 10 years) will be automatic and no interest will accrue during the 6 month period.

Waiver does not apply to private or state issued loans. But Sallie Mae and Navient may offer suspensions for up to 3 months; contact these lenders directly to apply for suspensions. Wells Fargo is also offering suspensions without a commitment to time frame.

Click Here for more information

Provide borrowers for temporary reprieve and support schools who have incurred extraordinary costs to respond to COVID-19.

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund

$13.5B in formula grants to states

States. 90% of funds will be distributed by states to local education agencies.

Assist local education agencies with COVID related expenses that were incurred, such as coordinating school closures, online learning, etc.

Click Here for More Information

Provides financial support for school districts who have incurred extraordinary costs to respond to COVID-19.

Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund

$3 Billion

States will distribute funds to local educational agencies

Provides financial support for schools that are deemed to be most significantly impacted by COVID-19.

Click Here for More InformationProvides financial support for school districts who have incurred extraordinary costs to respond to COVID-19

Joint Statement from Acting Chief of Police Kelly Rodriguez and City Manager Oliver Chi

October 22, 2020 No Comments

Acting Chief of Police Kelly Rodriguez announced today her retirement from the Huntington Beach Police Department, effective November 13, 2020. “After 24 years with the

Police Chief Robert Handy Set to Retire After 7 Years of Dedicated Service to HB

October 13, 2020 No Comments

City of Huntington Beach Police Chief Robert Handy has announced his plans to retire after a distinguished 30-year law enforcement career. “After more than 30

Fire Department Launches Virtual Open House

October 5, 2020 No Comments

The Huntington Beach Fire Department has launched it’s Virtual Open House. You can join the fun by visiting HBFDOpenHouse.com. There is also a contest for the kids in our community. Please visit their virtual open house website for more details!

Fire Department Virtual Open House – October 4 through October 10, 2020

September 17, 2020 No Comments

For many years, our Fire Department has hosted an Open House during Fire Prevention Week, the week of October 9, with fun and educational displays and demonstrations in the station and on the training grounds. This event has traditionally brought an outpouring of support from our community and we always look forward to it every year. This year, due to the unprecedented times and to protect the safety of our community and firefighters, we are unable to host this year’s event in-person.

Cooling Center – This Weekend

September 4, 2020 No Comments

Due to abnormally high temperatures, The City of Huntington Beach will be opening a Cooling Center at Murdy Community Center (7000 Norma Drive) on Saturday (9/6) and Sunday (9/7) from 11AM to 6PM. Staff will be implementing COVID-19 protocols, visitors will be screened and face coverings will be provided if necessary. If you need to use the center, we encourage you to bring snacks, water and entertainment.

Community Meeting – Extending Main Street Outdoor Dining Hours

September 2, 2020 No Comments

A Community Webinar Meeting with Police and City Leaders to discuss extending Main Street Outdoor Dining Hours.

HB Ready

HB Ready