As we deal with the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak throughout our country, I want to keep you as informed as possible. I want to assure you we are doing everything possible at the federal, state and local levels to address this pandemic and keep our communities healthy. As always, it is crucial that we continue to remain proactive and calm, and take preventive steps to keep everyone safe—especially those most vulnerable.
COVID-19 Health Information
Symptoms
Prevention
Local and State Guidance
Testing Information
Health Care Coverage
Education
School Reopening Status
Student Loan Help
Nutrition Assistance
Get Help
Economic Impact Payments (Stimulus Checks)
Unemployment Resources
Small Business
Housing
Taxes
Veterans
Travel Guidance
Office Operations
Tours
Find the latest guidance from your local public health agency below:
Santa Barbara County Public Health Department COVID-19 information
County of San Luis Obispo Health Agency COVID-19 information
Ventura County Public Health Department COVID-19 information and hotline
California State Coronavirus response resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 information
COVID-19 Health Information
Symptoms:
Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to basic flu symptoms and may appear 2-14 days after exposure. These include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Reports of illness have ranged from mild to severe.
If you are experiencing symptoms, consider self-quarantining and seek help from a health care provider. If symptoms become severe, call your doctor before you visit to inform them you are showing symptoms of COVID-19.
As there is not yet a vaccine for COVID-19, it is important to take preventative actions to help slow the spread. Here are some preventative measures you and your family can take:
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Wash hands often for 20-30 seconds with soap and water. If soap and water are not readily available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
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Practice social distancing to stop the spread and protect the most vulnerable
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Avoid gatherings in groups of more than 10 people
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Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze with a tissue or elbow
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Avoid touching your face, especially eyes, nose and mouth
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Avoid contact with people who are sick
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Disinfect frequently touched surfaces such as phone screens and doorknobs
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Stay home from work or school if you are feeling sick
View more from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on COVID-19 here.
UC Santa Barbara will continue offering the majority of classes remotely. The campus is working on plans to offer an enhanced summer quarter. Learn more here.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo will continue to offer the majority of classes virtually through summer quarter. The campus expects to return to as close to "normal" as possible in the fall. See the latest here.
Find Santa Barbara County Education Office information here.
Find San Luis Obispo County Education Office information here.
Find Ventura County Education Office information here.
Free meals for children in SLO County
Free meals for children in Santa Barbara County
Free meals for children in Ventura County
The CARES Act, a coronavirus relief bill which has became law, temporarily freezes interest and suspends payments for federal student loans. On January 20, 2021 emergency relief measures on federal student loans were extended until September 30. Get the latest information on students loans and answers to frequently asked questions here.
CDC guidelines for travelers can be found here. Currently, the CDC is advising against international travel due to the risks posed by COVID-19.
The State Department has created a 24-hour public hotline for Americans abroad who are impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. For callers in the U.S. and Canada, the number is 888-407-4747. For those dialing from overseas, the number is 202-501-4444. Travelers are also strongly encouraged to enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate them in an emergency.
Before traveling domestically, learn about how COVID-19 is spreading in your region and the region you are traveling to. Avoiding discretionary travel, shopping trips and social visits is also recommended.
Through the CARES Act, many people with a Social Security Number (SSN) should have received a direct economic relief payment. If you still have questions about your stimulus check, the IRS has created a new phone line for inquiries. Call 800-919-9835 to speak with an IRS representative.
Direct stimulus payment resources and FAQs
If you’re unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim. DI provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury or pregnancy.
If you’re unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim. PFL provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child.
If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim. UI provides partial wage replacement benefit payments to workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced, through no fault of their own.
Not sure what benefits established by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act apply to you? The Department of Labor has created a tool to help determine your eligibility for paid sick leave or paid expanded family and medical leave. Click here to navigate to the tool.
Congressman Carbajal's Small Business Relief Guide and FAQs
Small Business Administration (SBA) coronavirus disaster assistance
Small Business Administration (SBA) guidance for businesses and employers
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Emergency Loan Guide
Frequently asked questions regarding small business coronavirus disaster loans
The Department of Housing and Urban Development is halting foreclosures and evictions for single family homeowners with mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration through August 31st.
Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo have both extended the moratorium on evictions. In Santa Barbara, the moratorium is in effect through Sept. 30th. In San Luis Obispo, the moratorium is in place until 90 days after Governor Newsom lifts the state of emergency. Check local guidance for the latest information.
Local tenants and landlords can now apply for emergency rental and utility assistance in San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, and Ventura County.
The federal filing and payment deadline for taxes has been moved from April 15 to May 17, giving taxpayers more time to file. You should still file early if you are able, but Tax Day has been changed with no interest and no penalties.
For California state taxes, find more information on our May 17 extension here. If you make under $72,000 you are eligible for IRS Free File, an online tool available for free. Learn more at irs.gov/freefile.
Before visiting local VA medical facilities, community providers, urgent care centers, or emergency departments in their communities, veterans experiencing COVID-19 symptoms—such as fever, cough, and shortness of breath—are encouraged to call their VA medical facility or call MyVA311 (844-698-2311, press #3 to be connected).
Department of Veterans Affairs coronavirus resources for veterans
Find your closest VA facility
All patients with full-service Medi-Cal or commercial insurance in California will have copays, coinsurance and deductibles waived for COVID-19 testing and screening. Learn more below.
Coronavirus FAQ for commercial insurance, Medi-Cal and Californians who are not covered
Coronavirus information for Medicare beneficiaries
We have allocated $8.3 billion emergency funding to mitigate the spread and impact of COVID-19. This includes funding for vaccine development, support for health centers, telemedicine, prevention, treatment and more.
We then reached a deal with the president to ensure more support for our communities as they confront coronavirus. The House and Senate passed and the president signed a second bipartisan bill to provide free coronavirus testing for all who need it, including the uninsured; establish an emergency paid leave program; strengthen food assistance, school meals, senior nutrition and food banks; enhance unemployment aid; safeguard Medicaid; and stand up for all who are most vulnerable in our communities.
Congress also passed and the president signed the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This bill invests $200 billion in hospitals, health systems, and personal protective equipment; expands unemployment insurance and adds 13 extra weeks of benefits; puts money directly into people's hands with a direct payment; provides hundreds of billions for small business relief; supports agriculture and specialty crop growers; invests billions in Child Care Development Block Grants; establishes a Ready Reserve Corp to ensure enough trained doctors and nurses; and more.
Most recently, Congress passed the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. This bill adds an additional $310 billion to the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), $50 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funding for small businesses, $75 billion for health and hospital resources including PPE, and $25 billion for testing and contact tracing to stop the spread.
View a timeline of legislation enacted to combat Coronavirus here.
We know coronavirus is forcing people across the nation to make drastic changes to the ways they live and work, and we are committed to supporting our communities through these difficult times.
State and local authorities in California and Washington D.C. have ordered residents to stay at home except for essential needs. For this reason, my team has temporarily shifted to remote working operations in order to best serve our district safely. This does not change anything in terms of our constituent services—we are still here to help you with any federal issue, especially those relating to coronavirus in this challenging time.
The only difference is, to best accommodate the high call volume and needs of all constituents, our phone lines have switched to a voicemail system where you can leave a message and contact information. A member of our team is checking these messages 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and we are working to get back to you as quickly as possible. Please don’t forget to leave a phone number or email address in your message so that we can quickly reach you. You can also continue to reach our office through this website, at carbajal.house.gov/contact.
Additionally, we have been notified that U.S. Capitol and White House tours are cancelled until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to you.
