#CAArtsChampion: Edmund Velasco; Confused about Coronavirus Financial Assistance? We’ve Got Some Answers.

Amid all our other worries right now, many artists in California are receiving mixed messages about COVID-19-related unemployment, disaster relief, and the stimulus. As of last week according to Governor Newsom, a record 1.6 million Californians filed for unemployment.

 Self-employed creatives have questions, and so to get some answers, we talked to Edmond Velasco, musician, Californians for the Arts board member, and vice president of the Orange County Musicians Association.

CFTA: First let’s talk about who is eligible to collect unemployment.

EV: Right, so here’s what the Employment Development Department website says: “If you are self-employed, an independent contractor, or gig worker and are unable to work or have had your hours reduced due to COVID-19, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits under a few different scenarios.”

CFTA: So even if you’re not sure you are eligible, you should try?

EV: Yes, and you want to name yourself as your last employer. That can throw people off. There is also a field where you can explain your circumstances.

CFTA: Since the offices are closed and the phones are tied up, is the website still the best way to file? I’m hearing from people who have been trying for weeks to submit their forms and they keep getting kicked off the system. It’s really frustrating.

EV: I know somebody who actually works in the EDD office and they said that they have gone through, like, 120-130 applications a day per person. Right? And this department isn't that big. So, it's going to take them a while.

One thing people should know is that on each page where they are being asked to supply information, there is a “save as draft” button at the bottom. I recommend clicking it every time you move to the next page because at least that way if you get booted, you’re not starting over. Patience and persistence, that’s my main advice.

There are also windows of time the website will accept applications.

CFTA: And when you get through the process, does the EDD system send you a confirmation email?

 EV: No, it gives you a confirmation number, which you want to keep. But you can always go back to your account and find the progress of your claim.

CFTA: And how is UI calculated?

EV: They take the highest quarter you had last year– that's what they base it on. The maximum you can get for unemployment is $450 a week. If you didn’t file your taxes last year, you should do it now.

CFTA: Okay. And every week, you are expected to look for work and report any weekly income. Many creatives are still making a little money on the side, but if they claim that, especially for those who are struggling to begin with, they risk a decrease in what little assistance they are getting, right?

EV: Okay, but that person also qualifies for the $600 federal COVID relief program. Basically, they'll be making $1050 a week. But it may take a while for that extra $600 to kick in because there's so many millions of people applying for it now.

CFTA: Ah okay, this is part of the stimulus. And this is also where the $1200 check for taxpayers who make less than 75k/year is coming from, right?

EV: Yes, it’s is separate from unemployment. However, the EDD will be distributing the federal relief through their office (as of now, this could change). 

CFTA: That may be where some of the confusion comes in. So even if they claim some side earnings, that might affect their weekly sum from unemployment, but not the relief aid?

EV: Right.

CFTA: That’s got to be a load off for a lot of creative people.

EV: The reason why independent contractors are now eligible for unemployment, and it’s the first time this has ever happened, it’s actually because a bunch of entertainment unions pushed for it, Equity, AFM, SAG-AFTRA, AGVA. State organizations like Californians for the Arts, and federal advocacy groups like Americans for the Arts really stepped in too. We all pushed for it because so many people would have been left out in the cold.

CFTA: Yeah, it would be disastrous. Is there aid for sole proprietors? 

EV: Yes, there's also the Small Business Administration, SBA, The Payroll Protection Program, which you can actually apply for as a sole proprietor or an independent contractor. Basically, you're signing up for a loan, but the loan is forgiven. It's a grant. It has to go towards wages or rent. Things like that.

For people who file as S-Corp and LLC, they can go through SBA as well. There are forgivable loans or grants up to $10,000 for these entities.

CFTA: Can you file for both UI as a W2 employee and business relief if you own the corporation as well?

EV: As of now, it is unclear. I suggest applying for both.

CFTA: Some people started missing work from canceled gigs or events weeks ago. Any suggestions for people who are really struggling right now? 

EV: Governor Newsom issued an executive order banning evictions for the next two months. If you are not going to be able to pay your rent, you have to notify your landlord and go through a process. It’s not automatic.

CFTA: So it allows people to defer the rent as they wait in line for UI and federal relief checks?

EV: Yes, so everyone has a chance get caught up. It may take another month to sort all this out, so people should definitely cover all their bases.

For more information on collecting your coronavirus unemployment benefits, visit here:

For more on the Small Business Association payment protection program, visit: www.SBA.gov

For more on avoiding eviction during coronavirus, visit here:

Here is the form you can submit to your landlord according to the Governor’s order.

Edmund Velasco

Vice-President, Local 7 Musicians’ Union
Orange County

Edmund Velasco is a native Southern Californian that has been recognized as one of the top sax men in the area.   

Since the early age of eight, Edmund knew that playing the saxophone was what he wanted to do.  When he finally was old enough to play one at age ten, he knew that this would be his life's work.

He can be seen as a featured  soloist with The Estrada Brothers Latin Jazz Ensemble and has just finished recording their next CD release.  He has also recently joined The Chris Williams Quintet. He has also made many guest appearances with Dan Fanley, Joe LaBarbara, Tony Dumas, Ron Eschete and many others.  He has also performed twice at the Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl.

Edmund has performed at many important local venues, including å Jazz Bakery in Culver City, Steamers Cafe in Fullerton, and L.A.'s Catalina Bar & Grill.  He has also performed for arts and music festivals throughout their state including The Day of Music in Long Beach and  The San Jose Jazz Festival.  He has also has performed in Portugal at the Manoshinos Festival and the Funchal Jazz Festival.

He has played professionally for over twenty years with such top names as Mel Torme, Eddie Daniels, Ernie Andrews and many others.

He has been named the top Tenor Sax Artist in Orange County in 1998 & 1999 by the Orange County Weekly. 

He is currently leading his own quintet which has been active for the past nineteen years, writing and directing as well as producing four CD’s.  Alligator Rhythm on Subrosa records (1996) and The Blues in Me  (2000) and Smoke Rises (2004). All three recordings have received very favorable reviews in the press.  The Blues in me was nominated for the Jazz Recording of the Year by the L.A. Music Awards. As Bob Agnew writes about Smoke Rises" Generating new waves in modern mainstream jazz, the Edmund Velasco Quintet drives forward with energy and a positive outlook.  Swinging from start to finish, they turn each session into a festival." Bob Agnew, LA Jazz Scene April 2004 .  The latest project, Sign of Our Times, was released in  February 2014 on LA Sound and features an Allstar lineup which includes Kye Palmer, Tony Guerrero, Llew Mathews, Mark Massey, Steve Venz, Ernie Nunez, Jimmy Ford, Chris Williams, and most proudly, his son, Julian Velasco.

 Edmund has served on the Executive Board for the Orange County Musicians Association, Local 7, for the past 15 years and was recently elected Vice President in 2016.

 Edmund is also involved with music education outreach programs. He is on the advisory board for SanArts, a fledgling arts conservatory at Santa Ana High School. He is also developing several concert series for the Orange County community as both an arts outreach and educational program for the aspiring musicians.