Newsom declines to extend childcare provider benefits, but does order state to offer phone support

For 30 days after wildfires tore through Southern California, Gov. Gavin Newsom allowed the state to continue payments to childcare providers to help them stay afloat.

Those benefits expired Feb. 6, and Newsom so far has declined to extend them.

But under pressure from childcare providers and their union, Newsom issued an executive order Tuesday directing state agencies to help providers look into their eligibility for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.

What does the new order give providers?

The order provides no additional benefits and does not extend state payments to providers who serve low-income families — a demand pushed by the Child Care Providers United, which represents more than 40,000 people across California who run childcare businesses in their homes.

The union estimates that at least two dozen providers lost their homes and 30 more have not been able to reopen due to fire damage.

The governor's executive order instead points providers to emergency federal unemployment assistance that was made available last month to L.A. County workers who were impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires.

How does disaster unemployment work?

Disaster unemployment accepts applications from workers who are self-employed, and therefore typically ineligible for unemployment. Childcare providers who run programs in their own homes typically fall under this category. Newsom has ordered the California Department of Social Services and the California Employment Development Department to individually contact each provider that has not reopened to discuss these unemployment benefits.

The order also says: “Upon request, CDSS shall also refer individuals to the EDD to support each individual in completing the application for those benefits.” But it does not define what “support” means. LAist has reached out to the governor’s office to ask for clarification.

How to access disaster unemployment as a childcare provider

According to the California Employment Development Department's website, eligible full-time workers "can receive between $186 and $450 per week, for up to 26 weeks," and claims can begin on Jan. 12, even if eligible applicants file later on.

Claims for disaster unemployment benefits must be filed by March 10.

Child Care Providers United could not immediately be reached for comment.