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Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants (DRAI)
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The Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants (DRAI) project is a one-time state-funded disaster relief payment for undocumented adult immigrants impacted by COVID-19 and who are not eligible to receive funds from the CARES Act federal stimulus payments or from pandemic unemployment benefits. An undocumented adult who qualifies can receive $500 in direct assistance, with a maximum of $1,000 in assistance per household.
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Update
As of June 30, 2020, we have committed all relief funds and are no longer able to accept new applications for the COVID-19 Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants (DRAI) Program.
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We will continue to work on application approval and payment card distribution until all funds have been disbursed over the next few weeks.
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If we have already submitted an application for you, you may call us toll-free at 877-557-0521 to leave a voicemail with any questions you may have about your application or payment card. Please note that individuals will not be able to submit a new application for relief funds by calling this number.
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If we need to speak with you about your case, CRLAF will only call you from 916-619-8355. Please be careful of scams or anyone calling from a different number claiming to be CRLAF.
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DRAI Program - Frequently Asked Questions
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Who is distributing DRAI payments and how can I apply?
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The DRAI payments will be distributed by various community organizations throughout the state. California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation (CRLAF) is distributing DRAI payments for individuals living in the following counties: Yuba, Sutter, Yolo, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, and Mariposa.
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Is the information and documentation I provided to CRLAF confidential?
Yes. All information and documentation provided will be kept confidential and secure. The information you provide to CRLAF will only be used to confirm your eligibility and provide the assistance to you. We will provide general demographic information (e.g. age, gender, preferred language, etc.) to the State of California about applicants, but none of your personal information (e.g. name, address, etc.) will be given to or accessible by any government agency.
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What documentation will I need to provide to demonstrate my eligibility?
Applicants must provide information and documentation to verify their identity, home or mailing address, and to show they have been impacted by COVID-19.
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In what languages is CRLAF offering its DRAI enrollment services?
CRLAF has DRAI caseworkers who speak English, Spanish, Mixteco, Russian, Trique, Punjabi, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Our caseworkers will utilize professional and confidential interpretation services to serve applicants who do not comfortably speak any of the languages supported by our caseworkers.
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What can applicants expect once they are on the phone with a DRAI caseworker?
During our call(s) with an applicant, the applicant’s caseworker will ask the applicant questions about eligibility and other demographic or contact information. The caseworker will then assist the applicant in preparing and submitting the necessary documentation to verify identity and demonstrate eligibility.
Once the application is complete and all necessary documentation has been provided, CRLAF will review the documentation to confirm eligibility. If the application is approved, we will mail the applicant an unactivated payment card and the applicant will receive further instructions for activating the card.
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How much money can I receive from DRAI?
Eligible undocumented adult immigrants may receive a one-time COVID-19 disaster relief payment at a value of $500. A maximum of two undocumented adults per household can each receive a $500 disaster relief payment for a total of $1,000 in financial assistance per household. A household is defined as individuals who live and purchase and prepare meals together. Applicants will be assisted and approved for the disaster relief payments on a first-come, first-served basis.
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What can I do to help someone I know apply for DRAI with CRLAF?
If you are helping someone who may be eligible for DRAI, you can assist them with collecting the correct documentation to establish they meet the program’s eligibility criteria. You can also help by showing them how to clearly photograph their documentation and send their photographs via text message to a phone number we will share with them.
A DRAI applicant will need to provide information and documentation verifying that they (1) are an undocumented adult (18 or older); (2) are not eligible for federal COVID-19 related assistance, like the CARES Act tax stimulus payments or pandemic unemployment benefits; and, (3) have experienced a hardship as a result of COVID-19. An applicant will also need documentation verifying their home or mailing address.
Additionally, you can help an applicant prior to their call with us by explaining the application procedures that CRLAF is required to follow, as described on this FAQ page.
If you are available when we speak with the applicant to begin their application, you can join our conversation with them if you have their permission to do so. We unfortunately cannot speak exclusively with you on their behalf because CRLAF is required to speak directly with each applicant about their application.
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Is there anything else I can do to help someone I know apply for DRAI with CRLAF?
CRLAF is required to ensure that all DRAI applicants receive application assistance directly from our staff. Unfortunately, this means we face limitations in our ability to partner with other trusted community organizations to administer this project. If you have a suggestion for ways in which your community organization can partner with CRLAF to make this program more accessible to the community you serve, please contact us directly so we can discuss further. We appreciate your commitment to this population and for anything you can do to make the application process easier for individual applicants.
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