Coronavirus Resources

Coronavirus Resources

by | Mar 30, 2020 | News

Image
Visit my website Subscribe Like my Facebook Page
Greetings,

Last night we held a large tele-townhall with nearly 5,000 residents across the 8th district with Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist, and Elizabeth Hertel, from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, to discuss the latest updates on the coronavirus and to take your questions. We will be holding regular tele-townhalls in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for opportunities to join our next call. If you weren’t able to join for the call, you can listen to a recording here.

 

Do you want to be the first to hear about future tele-townhalls?
  Click here to sign up

It is my job to listen to Michigan families. Please click the button above and fill out the form on slotkin.house.gov/live to sign up for future tele-townhalls.

With a growing number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Michigan, I want to make sure that you are aware of the resources that are available to Michigan businesses, families, and workers as we continue to respond to this crisis. My goal is to ensure that you are able to benefit from the resources available to you and your family during this difficult time.

To this end, I wanted to provide an update on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, an expansive bill aimed at addressing the financial hardship and economic fallout that has resulted from the coronavirus outbreak. I was proud to vote in support of the bipartisan CARES Act yesterday when it passed the U.S. House of Representatives and I hope to see it signed into law shortly. Included below is information on some of the most significant provisions of the bill. For more information or to read the bill text, please click here.

Direct Financial Assistance

The CARES Act 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. Families will also receive an additional $500 per child.

Everyone is eligible for this direct financial assistance as long as they have a Social Security Number and their household income is not above the cap. This includes Social Security beneficiaries (retirement, disability, survivor) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. These payments do not count as income or resources for means-tested programs, which means that receiving the payments will not impact anyone’s eligibility for SSI, SNAP, Medicaid, ACA premium credits, TANF, housing assistance, or other income-related federal programs. These payments will also not impact an individual’s state or federal unemployment compensation benefits.

The exact distribution mechanism for this direct financial assistance is still being determined. Most people — including everyone who filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return, as well as all Social Security beneficiaries — will be paid automatically by the IRS. Others, including SSI recipients who often do not file taxes, may need to take additional action to receive their direct financial assistance. More details will be provided once they are available.

Unemployment Assistance

Through July 31, 2020, the federal government will provide a temporary Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) of $600 a week for any worker eligible for state or federal unemployment compensation (UC) benefits. The FPUC will be paid in addition to and at the same time as regular state or federal UC benefits.

The CARES Act will also allow states to expand unemployment compensation eligibility to workers who are not normally eligible for these benefits, so long as their unemployment was connected to the COVD-19 pandemic. Expanded eligibility would provide benefits to self-employed individuals, independent contractors, “gig economy” workers, and individuals who were unable to start a new job or contract due to the pandemic.

In addition to the supplemental federal unemployment compensation benefits and the expanded eligibility for unemployment compensation, the CARES act enables states to provide an additional 13 weeks of unemployment compensation to workers who need these benefits.

Finally, the CARES Act includes an expansion of “work sharing” programs to provide partial benefits to individuals with reduced hours. Under this bill, the federal government will temporarily provide full funding for states — including Michigan — who have Short-Time Compensation or “work sharing” programs in law. Under these programs, employers voluntarily make an agreement with the state unemployment office to prevent layoffs by reducing employee hours, and workers with reduced hours are eligible for partial state UC benefits.

If you lose your job during the coronavirus outbreak, you can apply for unemployment assistance here or by calling (866) 500-0017. Both business owners and employees are eligible to apply for unemployment benefits. You can find a full, step-by-step guide to doing so here.

Student Loan Support

The CARES Act will automatically suspend payments on all federally-owned student loans until September 30, 2020. No interest will accrue on these loans during this suspension. While it may be difficult to contact student loan services right now due to the current surge in activity, borrowers should check their accounts online in the coming weeks to better understand their eligibility.

Small Business Assistance

The CARES Act provides $349 billion for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to guarantee loans to small businesses under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). These PPP loans can be up to $10 million and can be used to cover payroll costs, health care benefits, employee salaries, mortgage payments, rent, and more. The program allows complete deferment of loan payments for between 6-12 months and includes a loan forgiveness component for businesses that retain their workers or rehire ones that were laid off as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. Prospective borrowers can apply through banks, credit unions, and other lenders who have been approved to provide SBA guaranteed loans. Around 1,800 private lenders are currently approved, though Treasury Secretary Mnuchin has said the department plans to vastly expand the number of approved lenders.

The stimulus package also includes $10 billion in funding for the SBA’s Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Michigan businesses now qualify for these Emergency Injury Disaster Loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA). You can visit the SBA’s website for an overview of the SBA’s response to the coronavirus, along with a list of resources. To apply for an EIDL loan, visit the SBA’s Disaster Loan Assistance website. We understand that the SBA website has crashed several times this week, due to high demand. I have been in touch with the SBA Regional Administrator for the Great Lakes Region and they have assured me that they are working to improve the website’s capacity at this critical time.

Separately, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) call center stands ready to support businesses looking for assistance through other available state programs. For more information, visit MEDC’s website or call 888-522-0103. The Michigan Small Business Development Center can also provide resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19. For additional information, please visit their website here.

Additional Resources

Experts have been working hard to understand this new strain of coronavirus. Because new information is coming out every day, please visit the sites below to stay up to date.

My office has created a page on our website to compile information related to the coronavirus outbreak and local resources that may benefit you and your family.

The State of Michigan provides updates on the spread of the disease and state resources that may benefit you and your family. If you have health questions about the coronavirus call the Michigan COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-535-6136. You can find information about the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” Executive Order here. 

The Governor issued an executive order on March 15 to protect consumers against price gouging during the crisis. If you see any price gouging, please report it to the Michigan Attorney General online or by calling 877-765-8388.

The Centers for Disease Control provides updates on the virus and safety information for the public and healthcare professionals.

My staff and I will continue to work with officials at every level of government to ensure that everyone in Michigan is protected and well informed. If you have further questions, please feel free to reach out to my office at (517) 993-0510 for more information.

If you want to learn more about my work in the U.S. House of Representatives, please visit my website, where you can sign up for my e-newsletter. You can find regular updates on my social media pages by “following” me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, which you can do by clicking on the icons below.

Sincerely,
Image
Elissa Slotkin
Member of Congress
Securing Unemployment Insurance for Michiganders

Securing Unemployment Insurance for Michiganders

by | Mar 27, 2020 | News

U.S. Senator Gary Peters
Friend,

There is no question this is an incredibly challenging time for families across our state, especially as our schools and many businesses are closed and we’re asked to remain socially distant from one another – sometimes even from the people we love. Together, we will get through this and I’m going to keep doing everything I can to provide the people of Michigan the support they need during this difficult time.

The Coronavirus pandemic is a public health and economic crisis on a scale we have not seen before. That’s why we need a comprehensive approach to confront this disease head-on. In the Senate, I’m focused on supporting Michigan’s workers, small businesses, and our hospitals and health care professionals on the front lines preventing the spread of Coronavirus.

Image

Click here to watch my floor speech on how the 3rd Coronavirus Package
will bring support to Michiganders

I helped secure passage of a new bipartisan Senate bill that includes a number of those priorities and worked to dramatically improve the bill. This bill takes a number of steps, including:

  • Expanding Unemployment Insurance and Benefits. The legislation includes my bill expanding unemployment benefits to those who do not normally qualify for unemployment insurance. It would expand who is eligible for unemployment to include workers who have exhausted their state unemployment benefits or other workers who would not usually qualify, including self-employed workers like independent contractors, small business owners, and workers in the gig economy. Workers could receive these benefits for up to 39 weeks. It takes the unprecedented step of expanding these types of benefits in response to a public health emergency and ensures workers who are quarantined – at home taking care of kids out of school, working reduced hours, or self-employed – can apply. This bill also increases the amount of unemployment benefits by $600 for four months, through July 2020. Both federal funded unemployment assistance and state unemployment insurance benefits will be administered by the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. Click here for more information about the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency.
  • Increasing Funding for Small Businesses. I’ve spoken with small business owners across Michigan about how devastating this pandemic has been to them and their employees. Small businesses are engines of economic growth in Michigan – we need to do all we can to support them. This bill raises funding for 7(a) loans, minority-owned businesses and includes 100% loan guarantees for small businesses impacted by this pandemic. Small businesses in Michigan interested in applying for a 7(a) loan are encouraged to contact their lender, whether it is a community bank, credit union, or other financial institution, to inquire about applying for a 7(a) small business loan.
  • Additional Support for Health Care Providers. I pressed for this bill to include additional funding for hospitals – including rural hospitals – so that our health care providers have the financial resources and medical supplies needed to care for patients and keep themselves safe. This includes $100 billion in direct payments to hospitals and health care providers across the country, including in Michigan. This will help ensure that hospitals can make up for lost revenue, continue their operations and make payroll for the dedicated nurses, doctors and health care providers who are on the front lines of pandemic response efforts.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Michiganders who aren’t receiving a paycheck or have lost their jobs because of the Coronavirus pandemic shouldn’t have to worry about whether they can pay their bills or put food on the table.

I’m going to continue to work tirelessly to make sure workers, heath care professionals, families, and small businesses have the resources they need to weather this unprecedented emergency. My office continues to stand ready to help and provide you with reliable information to help you and your family stay up-to-date and safe. Please visit my website https://www.peters.senate.gov/coronavirus for more information.

To every nurse, doctor, and health care professional, thank you for all that you’re doing on the front lines to protect your fellow citizens during this pandemic. We each have a role to play in combatting this pandemic, and I’m going to keep fighting for the people of Michigan. Together, I know we can get through this, even stronger.

Thanks for reading,

Gary Peters
United States Senator for Michigan

To receive future updates, click here.

Follow me on social media for more updates:

facebooktwitterinstagram

about garyhelping younewsroomcontact
*Beware* Potential Scams from COVID-19

*Beware* Potential Scams from COVID-19

by | Mar 27, 2020 | News

Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. Here’s what you need to know to protect yourself. 

  • Be aware that scammers may be spoofing (impersonating) numbers from local public health departments or other trusted sources so they appear legitimate on your caller ID. To verify the identity of a caller, hang up and look up the organization’s number to call them back.
  • Do not give your personal information to people on the phone or those who come to your door. Personal information includes your social security number, credit card number, or Medicare ID.
  • Ignore online offers for vaccinations. There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure COVID-19 – online or in stores*.
  • Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. They could download viruses onto your computer or device. Watch for emails claiming to be from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying that they have information about the virus.
  • For the most up-to-date information about the Coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov and the World Health Organization (WHO) https://www.who.int
  • Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it.
  • If you think you’ve been scammed, call your local law enforcement to make a report.
Pure Michigan Invites Fans to Experience the State Virtually

Pure Michigan Invites Fans to Experience the State Virtually

by | Mar 26, 2020 | Uncategorized

Pure Michigan Invites Fans to Experience the State Virtually

Contact: Kathleen Achtenberg [email protected]

Pure Michigan is going virtual. From live cams featuring beautiful beaches to virtual tours of unique exhibits, Pure Michigan is helping bring the state’s educational, outdoor and cultural experiences to life at home through its new #VirtualPureMichigan campaign. New virtual experiences will be posted regularly across Pure Michigan’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter channels in the coming weeks as people are being encouraged to Stay Home and Stay Safe to combat the continued spread of COVID-19.

 

“During these extraordinary times, we want to continue to do what Pure Michigan does best – inspire people – while offering alternative ways to experience the stay at home and follow social distancing guidelines,” said Dave Lorenz, vice president of Travel Michigan, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “By sharing the tremendous virtual offerings our travel partners across the state have available, we are hoping that individuals can enjoy, learn and explore our beautiful state from the comfort of their own homes as they look ahead to future adventures.”

 

Organizations around the state are offering virtual experiences for all to enjoy, including:

  • Pure Michigan is providing live web camera viewings for people to take a peek at destinations including Alpena, Holland, Frankenmuth, West Michigan and the Mackinac Bridge.

 

  • The Ann Arbor Film Festival is going virtual now through March 29. The entire festival will be live-streamed for free, including all submitted films and follow up discussions with participating filmmakers. The full festival schedule can be found at aafilmfest.org/live-stream-schedule.

 

  • The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is an internationally recognized cultural destination that immerses visitors in the stories of ingenuity, resourcefulness and innovation that helped shape America. In addition to exploring the digital collections made available on the museum’s website, virtual visitors can now explore the Mathematica exhibit online.

 

 

 

  • The Michigan History Museum offers information about Michigan’s rich past, from the time of the state’s earliest people to the late 20th century. The five-floor museum offers a virtual tour for folks to explore and learn about Michigan’s first people, the Anishinaabe and ending at the mid-20th century.

 

  • The Michigan Science Center  offers a virtual tour for kids of all ages to explore and makes for an educational experience adhering to STEM guidelines, which many schools practice. Kids can explore the health and wellness gallery to learn about the human body, the lunar and space gallery to learn about space travel and more.

 

  • The Menominee Range Historical Museums in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula encompasses three different museums for guests to explore. Each museum offers a virtual tour including The Menominee Range Historical Museum, which features more than 100 exhibits depicting local history from Native American inhabitants through the early years of the 20th century; The World War II Gilder and Military Museum, which features one of only seven fully-restored CG-4A gliders in the world, as well as extensive displays highlighting military service in the area; and the Cornish Pumping Engine and Mining Museum, which showcases the largest steam-driven pumping engine built in the United States.

 

  • Paddle out into the St. Mary’s River from Voyager Island and Rotary Park in Sault St. Marie on this 360 virtual guided tour. This water trail gives you a front row seat to Great Lakes freighters passing through the channel on their way to and from the Soo Locks.

–

 

  • PBS television program Under the Radar Michigan features the people, places and things that make Michigan a great place to be. Michiganders can check out episodes that feature Michigan’s Museums, stories from the U.P., downtown Detroit and more.

 

The michigan.org website continues to be a resource for future trip planning, featuring unique destinations throughout the state, road trip and itinerary suggestions and the ability to order the free Pure Michigan Summer Travel Guide – also available digitally. Additionally, michigan.org is now featuring ways to Travel Michigan Virtually While Planning Your Vacation.

 

In the coming days and weeks, the Pure Michigan social channels will be posting virtual experiences all across the state using the #VirtualPureMichigan hashtag. Follow along, or share your favorite Virtual Pure Michigan experience, on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

 

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

Coronavirus Resources

Governor Whitmer Orders Temporary Expansions in Unemployment

by | Mar 26, 2020 | Uncategorized

GW Header Image

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2020
Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Orders Temporary Expansions in Unemployment Eligibility and Cost-Sharing

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-24, clarifying how the expansion of eligibility for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 will work.

The order:

  • Suspends the requirement for an individual seeking unemployment to request a registration and work search waiver from their employer;
  • Allows anyone with an active unemployment claim to receive up to a six-week benefit extension.
  • Expands cost-sharing with employers. Any benefit paid to a claimant that is laid off or placed on a leave of absence will not be charged to the employer’s accounts, but instead will be pooled and assumed by the Nonchargeable Benefits Component of employer accounts. Employers who unlawfully misclassify their workers and have underpaid their unemployment tax do not get the benefit of this enhanced cost-sharing.

“These are challenging times that all Michiganders are facing, and no one should be worried about how to make ends meet if they cannot work because of self-isolation or self-quarantine in response to contracting the coronavirus,” said Governor Whitmer. “I will continue to take action that protects public health, while also ensuring that working families have the support they need during these hard times.”

Executive Order 2020-24 takes the place of Executive Order 2020-10.

Patients with confirmed infection have reportedly had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

The best prevention for viruses, such as influenza, the common cold or COVID-19 is to:

  • If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19, call your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider, call the nearest hospital.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or upper sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick.
  • If you are sick, stay home, and avoid contact with others.
  • Stay at least 6 feet away from others when in a public setting.

Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

To view Executive Order 2020-24, click the link below:

This press release will be translated and made available in Arabic and Spanish at www.michigan.gov/whitmer