Here is an update for April 22nd.
Thought of the day: Listen to the doctors and health experts. How long we’re in quarantine depends on how well we listen to them.
My weekly telephone town hall will be tonight at 5:30pm. It is important to be available to you and is why I do a weekly town hall. Joining me will be Dr. Kimberlydawn Wisdom from Henry Ford Health System. It is more important than ever for us to communicate. We want to reach everyone that is interested so please let us know if you want to participate by signing up here. This will ensure you receive a call to join. You can also dial 855-920-0560 at 5:30pm to join.
Yesterday negotiators from the House, Senate and the White House reaches agreed on a proposal for the new coronavirus relief package. The Senate passed it yesterday and the House will vote on it tomorrow. This new package will help small businesses, help hospital and frontline workers, and increase testing capability. I’m still reviewing the agreement, but here are the main provisions in it:
The Paycheck Protection Program will receive $310 billion in additional funding with $30 billion reserved for community based lenders. Hospitals, health systems, and frontline healthcare workers will be provided an additional $75 billion. There will also be more PPE sent to those who need it. $25 billion will be provided in testing, which is the key that will allow us to reopen the economy and re-begin our lives. The more we test, the easier we track this virus and can work to keep people safe. If you have any questions on what this means for you, my office is here to help and can be contacted here. Once this package becomes law in the coming days, we will get right back to work to provide more relief. People need help and we won’t stand by while people struggle.
The USPS is a critical service that keeps us connected to each other and the Constitution recognized the importance of the role it plays in the beginning of our democracy. Postal workers matter to each and every one of us during these COVID-19 days. They are essential workers too many of us take for granted. Think about what they are doing for us, how they are the lifeline for many people. Reflect upon the functions they are performing right now. I joined my colleagues to urge House leadership that the U.S. Postal Service be given relief in the next COVID package and that such relief come with requirements that USPS maintain service standards and area mail processing facilities (AMPs). I will do everything I can to save USPS and hope you will join me in thanking postal workers for their essential service and let them know we are fighting for them.
The IRS has begun to send out stimulus money via direct deposit to Americans required under the coronavirus relief package. If you have not received the direct deposit, please visit www.IRS.gov and go to the “get your payment” section of the website. Once there you will be able to identify yourself with your 2018 or 2019 tax information, provide your direct deposit information, and within several days you will have the money deposited into your account. If you DO NOT normally file a tax return or your income is too little to file, you must visit www.IRS.gov, and look for “Non-filers: Enter Payment Info Here.” You will then be prompted to fill out the requested and relevant information. Of note, you do not need to fill out this information if You receive Social Security retirement, disability (SSDI), survivor benefits, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Veterans Affairs benefits. The IRS will automatically send you an Economic Impact Payment.
On Earth Day I typically think about kids and future generations. This year's no different than others. Even with the world on pause, climate change has continued to have lasting impacts. I invite all parents, guardians, siblings, and family members to talk to their kids about climate change. The planet is their future and what we do now will determine what their future looks like.
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 or 888-535-6136
