District 5 COVID-19 Resources

Thank you to our public safety officers, firefighters, first responders, utility workers, healthcare professionals and staff, county staff, truckers, farmers and farm labor for all you do to keep us safe and fed.

We are aware of the misinformation circulating in our community, on social media, and within different groups, and are committed to providing you verified information. Please check the County’s COVID-19 website for accurate and updated statistics and to register for the County’s email updates.

District 5 is an agricultural community; we all depend on Ag and the state and the country is learning they do too.

Merced County COVID-19 Updates

We are all in this together. If you need help, we have resources in place to assist you. For your convenience, the following is a list of local resources available to you:

  • Ready2Open Small Business Assistance Program Guidelines

    Merced County’s Ready2Open Small Business Assistance Program Guidelines may be found at HERE.

  • Statewide Industry Guidance to Reduce Risk

    Statewide guidance for businesses to follow, if they’re permitted to open per county health rules may be found at https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/.

  • Merced County COVID-19 Website

    For information and updates, visit https://www.co.merced.ca.us/3350/Coronavirus-Disease-2019. You can also sign up for email updates on that same page.

  • Merced County Call Center

    A call center has been established to answer your questions and provide regarding COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) information. The call center is active from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Sunday, and can be reached at (209)381-1180. Callers will hear an informational recording and will have the option to speak with a live representative by pressing “0”

  • Small Business Administration

    There are special, COVID-19 disaster-related, low-interest loans available for small business owners, non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters. For more information visit:

    https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans

  • Unemployment

    The California Employment Development Department, EDD, has set up a
    COVID-19 website that has links to unemployment application and other resources:

    https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm

  • Financial Assistance

    The United Way has set up the Community Economic Relief Fund. They can help with bills, rent and food. You can reach them at (866) 211-9966.

  • Financial Institutions

    Depending on where you bank, each financial institution is providing different relief options. Here is website that has links to the larger ones: https://www.thesimpledollar.com/financial-wellness/coronavirus-financial-assistance/.

  • Cal Fresh & Other Social Services

    You may be eligible for social services. Here is a link to California’s CalFresh program: http://ssa.ocgov.com/calfresh/apply/calfresh and to Merced County’s services: https://www.co.merced.ca.us/450/Services.

  • Bethel Community Church 415 I Street, Los Banos, 93635 (209) 769-2779

    Donations of paper goods, disinfectant, gift cards, diapers, baby wipes and monetary contributions are being accepted. These items are then distributed to the community to those that need assistance. For more information please visit givehelpgethelpmerced.com and gethelpgivehelpmerced.com.