Applications opened Monday for California Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants, or DRAI — a state-funded program that provides a one-time award of disaster relief to undocumented adults impacted by COVID-19.
The program was designed to assist those who do not qualify for federal unemployment or pandemic assistance and was announced in mid-April by California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The money in Alameda and Contra Costa counties will be allocated through Catholic Charities East Bay, which provides legal and mental health services, among other aid. Eligible adults can each receive $500, with a maximum of $1,000 per household.
To apply, adults must call the Catholic Charities East Bay phone number and provide documentation of their identity, home address and financial impact from COVID-19.
The program will be active until its $75 million funding runs out or until June 30, and applicants are considered on a first-come, first-served basis. It is estimated that the program will serve about 150,000 adults.
