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Here is an update for April 23.
 
Thought of the day: “Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” — Helen Keller
 
Last night I hosted my weekly telephone town hall and this morning I traveled back to Washington, DC to vote for the next coronavirus relief package that will help with many of the concerns heard last night. Among many things, people are still worried about their small businesses. Hospital workers are concerned about having access to PPE. These are issues we’re working to fix and hope this new relief package will help those most in need. 
 
The relief package we’re passing today will strengthen the Paycheck Protection Program. It 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 re-open 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, we will get right back to work to provide more relief. People need help and we won’t stand by while people struggle.
 
The coronavirus pandemic has put a magnifying glass on our broken long-term care and support programs. Today I’m proud to announce Michigan programs to support seniors and people with disabilities will receive $28 million in coronavirus response grants from the US Department of Health and Human Services. Michigan programs under the Older Americans Act will receive more than $15 million for home-delivered meals, $6 for Home and Community Based Services (HCBS), $3 million for caregiver support, $2 million for Centers for Independent Living (specifically $138,000 to Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living), and more totaling $28 million. This critical support will make sure seniors and people with disabilities don’t see an interruption in Home and Community Based Services and home-delivered meals.

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.