Indio and Riverside County renters are eligible to apply for financial assistance to pay for back-due rent through direct rental assistance provided through the United Lift Rental Assistance Program, a coordinated effort between Riverside County, United Way of the Inland Valleys, and Lift To Rise. This program is intended to keep 10,000 Riverside County families and residents housed between the months of June and November 2020 by providing one-time support in direct rental assistance.

The application portal is available in English and Spanish. The application period is continuous.

Please refer to the United Lift website for the latest information on United Lift and the process to apply for rental assistance.

Inland Fair Housing and Mediation Board (IFHMB) and Inland Counties Legal Services, Inc. (ICLS) are both currently funded by the City of Indio through the Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) Funds. These organizations provide information, trainings and counseling services related to housing rights and responsibilities, especially as associated to impacts of COVID-19.

Indio Office Locations

• IFHMB provides free counseling, landlord/tenant mediation services and discrimination investigations, and has an office located within the Indio Chamber of Commerce building, located at 82-921 Indio Boulevard. Indio Dedicated Hotline: (888) 885-8020
• ICLS provides free legal services (consultation and court representation) to low-income tenants facing evictions, and has office located at 82632-C Hwy 111 (within the shopping center behind Wienerschnitzel). Indio Dedicated Hotline: (888) 245-4257 (dial “1”, then “1”)

The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce is compiling a list of local businesses that are open and are providing services through the COVID-19 crisis. This list in Indio is being updated daily, and includes those which are offering delivery, curbside or other service special during our current state of emergency. Those who are interested in supporting these businesses, can also search on social media using the hashtag #CVShopLocal

The Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau is also compiling a list of local restaurants offering delivery and curbside pickup.

Also, here is a list of Indio restaurants that are offering take out service, dine in and pickup options to accommodate our citizens.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications from the Disaster Loan Assistance website. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

In addition, Riverside County Business Services has provided a portal for grants, loans and other programs available to nonprofits, small businesses and other organizations impacted by COVID-19.

Flagstar Bank is also offering a one-time $5,000 grant to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) small businesses and entrepreneurs in Riverside Co. beginning Nov. 9. Applications can be found online and must be completed and returned by Nov. 20, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.

Small business assistance is being offered through Riverside County. More information about that is available on the County's Business Assistance website.

The Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center Network offers business consulting, training, and online courses to entrepreneurs and business owners throughout the Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties at no cost. This is made possible through funding by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as well as other private sector funds. For information on specifics regarding COVID-19 contact 1-800-616-7232 or visit the OCIE Small Business website.

Riverside County's Community Action Partnership has opened up funding to pay for bills such as water, utilities, sewage, special needs and technology. Apply in English or Spanish, or directly at CAP CARES. Applications should be emailed to CAPCARES@capriverside.org, mailed Attn: CAP CARES, 2038 Iowa Ave. Suite B-102, Riverside CA 92507 or sent via fax to (951) 955-2230.

Imperial Irrigation District is also offering payment assistance to those suffering from COVID related economic hardships.

The California State Attorney General's Office has set up a hotline to report price gouging, which is defined as "sellers trying to take unfair advantage of consumers during an emergency or disaster by greatly increasing prices for essential consumer goods and services." Call 1-800-952-5225 to report price gouging, or send an email.

On May 29, Riverside County announced they will allow vacation rentals to resume operating. Those homeowners and agencies wishing to reopen should follow this county guidance, restricting short term rentals to private homes or condos, as well as any other applicable city ordinances or guidance. City of Indio orders regulating reopening of short term rentals must still be followed, and has been updated with a new Emergency Order on June 2, 2020. Read more about that here.

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) has provided guidance on the best way to apply (“file a claim”) for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. The recommended method to apply for UI benefits is through EDD’s UI Online website.

If filing online by computer is not possible, you can apply for UI by phone. An operator will assist in processing the UI application over the phone.

• English: 800-300-5616
• Spanish: 800-326-8937

Assistance Filing for Unemployment Insurance Document

To apply for free and limited quantities of gloves and disposable face masks, apply online, or contact Development Analyst Juan Rodriguez at (760) 391-4028 or by email at jrodriguez@indio.org.