JFS distributes COVID19 relief funds for immigrants

Omer Zalmonowitz

SAN DIEGO — Jewish Family Services (JFS) is one of twelve immigrant-serving nonprofit organizations selected to help individuals apply for and receive disaster relief assistance in their region. Each organization was chosen based on their experience in serving immigrants, and to act as a distributor of assistance funds. JFS has hotlines assisting immigrants in San Diego County and Imperial County.


The Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants was announced on April 15 by California Governor, Gavin Newsom  On May 18, CNN reported that the application process was set to begin on May 18th, and that applications will be accepted until June 30th, or until funds run out.
The State of California allocated $75 million for this fund, and private donations in the amount of $50 million have brought the total to $125 million to be distributed among California’s undocumented immigrants. About 10% of California’s workforce consists of undocumented immigrants. The funds are designed to benefit about 150,000 undocumented adults, with $500.00 cash award in the form of a prepaid card per adult, and a $1,000.00 cap per household.

For San Diego County and Imperial County Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants please visit the JFS drai-project via this link.

You also may telephone in San Diego County via 858-206-8281 and in  Imperial County 760-206-3242.

Those who make their applications by telephone are required to speak to a live operator.  The option of leaving a voice mail is no longer available. Assistance will be provided on a first-come first-served basis to the first 10,000 eligible applicants.

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Omer Zalmanowitz is a freelance writer based in San Diego.