Convenience Big Store: EDD opens PUA certification for $300 boost, unemployment extension

All California PUA recipients can certify for extended unemployment benefits, $300 boost on Sunday – Some good news for people who are getting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) in California. EDD now says everyone who gets PUA payments will be able to certify by Sunday, March 28. This includes both the extended benefits and the additional $300 boost. Earlier this week, EDD had said about 60,000 PUA recipients would need to wait until April 10 to certify. These were people who had exhausted all PUA benefits. EDD told ABC10 they were able to finish the programming early and everyone should be able to certify this week. Claimants will receive payment for any missed weeks, including the extra $300. Another group of people, who exhausted all their PEUC benefits, will still need to wait to certify. This delay affects about 742,000 people. EDD said it plans to phase this group in between April 10 and April 30. Find more more information about each of the benefit programs and the timeline for payments here. (Josh Lyle, ABC10)

Opening of new mass vaccination hub at Stockton Arena delayed due to vaccine supply – Citing a lack of coronavirus vaccine supply, officials have pumped the brakes on the opening of a new mass vaccination site in Stockton. Originally penciled in for a March 30 public opening, Kaiser Permanente announced Sunday that the new mass vaccination hub at the Stockton Arena would be delayed after they got fewer vaccine doses than anticipated from the state. Once the site opens, officials say the site will be capable of 5,400 vaccinations a day depending on supply. The pause on the Stockton hub doesn't affect vaccinations at other locations by consortium health care systems, including Kaiser Permanente. (Eric Escalante, ABC10)

Concerts, festivals may be returning to California with modifications – Because of the coronavirus pandemic, concert venues across California said goodbye to in-person shows in March 2020, including Sacramento's Harlow’s, which had been putting on shows for four decades. “We were done March 13. Done, nothing else,” Harlow's Owner Jim Cornett said. “Our last show was 'Loose Ends' on March 13, 2020. Friday the 13th, by the way.” California Public Health officials say starting April 1, 2021, places like Disneyland, Major League Baseball stadiums, outdoor events, and concerts will be allowed to reopen with modifications in counties in the red, yellow, or orange tiers. However, when concerts and events do return, they will likely still not look like they did before the pandemic. (Monica Coleman, ABC10)

TIP OF THE DAY

Hearing loss and COVID In another update on the weird side effects of COVID-19, a new study suggests a surprising number of coronavirus patients are dealing with hearing issues. Some patients are even reporting ongoing problems, while others say they clear up after a while. (Ben Thompson, WCNC)

SMILE

Healthy baby This New Orleans baby survived COVID-19 and a liver transplant all before her. first birthday. Little Winter has spent more of her life in a hospital than out, but her family sees her as a miracle and a strong survivor. (Erika Ferrando, WWL)