Coronavirus Update: April 14th

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Dear Constituent—

I wanted to provide you with regular updates on the coronavirus.

The coronavirus pandemic is developing very quickly, and I know many people have questions and concerns. I will try to answer some of them below.

WASHINGTON UPDATE

New Information from IRS on Cash Payments: The IRS has begun distributing payments, beginning with individuals that have direct deposit information already on file. These payments are distributed automatically, with no action required for most people. Social Security beneficiaries who are not typically required to file tax returns will not need to file to receive a payment. Instead, payments will be automatically deposited into their bank accounts. For more information, visit here.

The Internal Revenue Service launched a new web tool to allow individuals who were not required to file a 2019 tax return to securly provide their bank information in order to receive their economic relief payments.

Learn About and Report Coronavirus-Related Scams: The U.S. Treasury has set up a website where you can learn about ongoing coronavirus IRS related scams, along with new information about scams that may be still be out there. It also allows you to make a claim for lost money if you have been a victim of coronavirus IRS related scams. For more information, visit here. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also has a series of resources to help avoid scams that prey on individuals who need help during quarantine. For more information, visit here.

Help for Small Businesses: The U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) is providing disaster relief loans of up to $10 million to small businesses, agricultural cooperatives and non-profits that have suffered substantial economic injury from the coronavirus. Visit here or call SBA's national disaster relief line at 1-800-659-2955 for more information. Click here for an FAQ sheet created by the U.S. Department of Treasury. For more information regarding help for Michigan small businesses, visit here.

On March 27, I voted in support of, and the President signed into law the CARES Act. While the bill is not perfect, it goes a long way in providing immediate economic relief to workers, small businesses and our frontline hospitals and health care workers. More information can be found here.

The bill includes:

• Direct Payments to Taxpayers: The bill will provide $1,200 in direct payments to taxpayers with incomes up to $75,000 per year before starting to phase out and ending altogether for those earning more than $99,000. Parents would receive an additional $500 per child. Seniors, including those on Social Security, as well as non-tax filers and those on SSDI and SSI will also be eligible for this assistance.
• Expanded Unemployment Benefits: The bill would significantly extend jobless insurance by 13 weeks and include a four-month, $600 increase in benefits. House Democrats successfully fought to expand unemployment insurance benefits for self-employed contractors and "gig" economy workers. More information can be found here.
• Support for Hospitals, Health Care Workers: The bill provides $200 billion to support hospitals and frontline health care workers. Also, Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Centers will be able to bill directly for telehealth services during the coronavirus crisis. More information can be found here.
• Additional Small Business Grants: Small businesses will receive additional help, in the form of emergency loans and grants. The bill provides federally-guaranteed support, through community banks, to small businesses, including loans that can be forgiven if businesses keep workers on the payroll, instead of laying workers off. More information can be found here.
• Loans for Large Businesses: Larger companies can apply for loans through the Federal Reserve, including the airline industry. House Democrats successfully negotiated that any large company that receives loans through the federal government will have to take additional steps to keep their workers on the payroll, limit executive bonuses, and ban stock buybacks. The loans will also have to be paid back to the federal government. More information on protections for tax payers can be found here.

A full summary of the bill can be found here, a summary of the funding provisions can be found here and a more in depth section-by-section can be found here.

Congress has also passed the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act to help families and health care facilities respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus Testing: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched a new website and app with a coronavirus screening tool and resources to help people protect their health. The website can be found here and the app can be accessed here.

Federal Student Loans: On March 20, the U.S. Department of Education announced that students with federally held student loans will not accrue interest for at least 60 days and do not have to make payments on their loans for at least two months. Borrowers can find more information on the U.S. Department of Education's website.

MICHIGAN UPDATE

Stay At Home Order:"Stay at Home, Say Safe" Order: Effective now through April 30, the Governor issued an executive order to all Michigan businesses and operations temporarily suspending in-person operations that are not necessary to sustain or protect life. This is an extension of the previous stay at home order that was effective through April 15.

Unemployment Insurance Benefits: During the coronavirus pandemic, unemployment eligibility has been expanded to include those who are sick or caring for a family member as well as self-employed, contracted, and gig economy workers. Michigan's self-employed workers, gig workers, 1099-independent contractors and low-wage workers can apply for federal benefits beginning Monday, April 13 at 8 a.m. Those eligible for these benefits should apply online at www.Michigan.gov/UIA or call 866-500-0017. Customers are encouraged to follow a filing schedule based on last name and use off-peak times (8 p.m. – 8 a.m). The UIA announced new resources to help workers resolve online technical issues with their account. More information can be found here.

Flint Cares Help Centers: The City of Flint is offering resources and services including bottled water and food assistance. Services will continue to be provided from two semi-trailers staged in church parking lots across the city to distribute items directly to cars as residents drive through. For more information please call 810-410-2020 or visit here. The locations are provided below:

Mondays 10AM- 2:00PM : Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 N.Ballenger Hwy, Flint, MI 40504

Tuesdays 10AM – 2:00PM : Ashbury United Methodist Church, 1653 Davison Rd. Flint, MI 48506

Thursdays 10AM – 2:00PM : Greater Holy Temple Church of God in Christ, 6702 N. Dort Hwy Flint, MI 48505

Governor Whitmer Signs Executive Order Protecting Workers Who Stay Home, Stay Safe When They or Their Close Contacts Are Sick: On April 3, the Governor signed Executive Order 2020-36, prohibiting all employers from discharging, disciplining, or otherwise retaliating against an employee for staying home from work if they or one of their close contacts tests positive for coronavirus or has symptoms of the disease. More information can be found here.

The Governor Signed Executive Order Banning Entry Into Healthcare Facilities: The Governor has established temporary restictions on entry into healthcare facilies, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities, through May 3.

Water Shutoffs: The Governor announced an executive order requiring the reconnection of service to residences that have had water service shut off. More information can be found here.

Map of Coronavirus Cases in Michigan: An up-to-date map of coronavirus cases in Michigan, provided by the Michigan State Police, can be viewed here.

Help With Consumers Energy Bill: If you are having trouble paying for your Consumers Energy bill, they have set up a webpage to help you understand your options. You can also call 1-800-477-5050. If you are a small business, you can call 1-800-805-0490 or can reach out to businesscenter@cmsenergy.com