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Here is an update for April 17.

Thought of the day: “When everything seems to be against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” — Henry Ford

This has been without fail a long week for everyone. As we head into the weekend, we need to focus on self-care. You yourself are important during isolation. What each of us does can decide how long we are all quarantined.

Resources and support for small businesses is critical right now and too many are facing challenges. We need more money in the CARES programs and it needs to happen quickly.  The White House and bipartisan Members of Congress are urgently working to increase the funding for the Paycheck Protection Program and the Emergency Injury Disaster Loans. It's frustrating watching this process and yes, you have a right to feel angry and worried. We will solve it. And soon.

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency is here to help those who have lost their jobs. There have been problems but they are becoming resolved. The agency is processing applications as quickly as possible. People are starting to get their checks. Applications are being processed. Things are beginning to operate more smoothly. The money is there. To apply, if you have not yet done it, visit Michigan.gov/UIA and please follow guidance from the below for what days you should apply based off of your last name. 

Yesterday Governor Whitmer and six other Midwest governors announced they are working work together to decide when it is safe and how to reopen the region's economy. The regional group includes the governors of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. It’s bipartisan and they will work with health experts to take a health-based and data driven approach. As they work on this plan, we will provide updates on their data collections and recommendations. It’s important that scientific facts drive these decisions. 

The Food and Drug Administration also provided an update on food availability in this country. Although the grocery store you shop at may be temporarily out of certain products, there are no nationwide shortages of food. Food production and manufacturing are spread throughout the United States. It’s important to remember to prepare a shopping list in advance and practice physical distancing once at the grocery store. Buy just 1 to 2 weeks-worth of groceries at a time. Buying more than you need can create unnecessary demand and temporary shortages.

There’s a lot of scams out there, especially with some people now being required to input their personal and banking information so they can receive their stimulus checks. Please be 100% sure the website you’re visiting is not trying to defraud you. If you think you’re the victim of a scam or know someone whose been scammed, you can report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud. Call 1-866-720-5721 oremail disaster@leo.gov. You can also contact the Michigan Attorney General’s office at 517-335-7599 to file a complaint or report a scam. 

Team Dingell is here seven days a week and wants to listen and help. It isn’t as smooth as we want on some issues, but we will never stop fighting for you. Call our office at 313-278-2936 or contact us through Facebook or our webpage. 
 
New information becomes available every day. Below is a list of resources and information that can be helpful during this time. Please share this information with your family, friends, and colleagues. Remember, stay home, stay safe, save lives.

Coronavirus information

File for unemployment

Small Businesses can apply for low-interest disaster loans

Navigating Social Security Benefits
 
School Based Food Service Interactive Map
 
Food Banks and Kitchens in Michigan's 12th Congressional District
 
Contact numbers for people looking for information are:
• Centers for Disease Control, cdc.gov/coronavirus, 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).
• Michigan.gov/coronavirus, Call 2-1-1 or 734-287-7870 from within Michigan to connect with help of all kinds including food, housing, healthcare, and more.