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Here is an update for May 1st.
 
Thought of the day: "What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
 
Michigan is an incredible place to live because of who we are. We’re strong, we’re resilient, and we do what’s right for the greater good. It’s because of our strength to do what’s right that we will get through this. 
 
Testing, testing, testing is how we defeat this virus and figure out how we begin to re-open the economy. Outer Wayne County and Southgate have launched drive through testing locations. Find details on both below:

The outer Wayne County testing location is in the parking lot of the Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, at no cost to eligible Michiganders. A doctor’s referral is not required. Residents are required to pre-screen and register for a test at cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing.
 
The Southgate testing location is found at the Sam’s Club at 15700 Northline Road, Southgate, MI 48195. The site is open to anyone who may be exhibiting symptoms of the virus. In addition, the site is also available to all healthcare providers and first responders, whether or not they are exhibiting symptoms. All appointments will be made through Quest’s MyQuest™ online portal that will screen and schedule those individuals who meet the CDC eligibility.
 
I talk to the UAW, autos, suppliers, dealers, small businesses, restaurant owners, employees laid off, employees furloughed, nurses, doctors, and all type of workers every day. Each worker and industry has their own concern, problems to be strategized, problems to be solved. Michigan is an auto state and a state of hardworking men and women. Not one person has asked for a hand out but they are worried about their future, how to you keep businesses going, how do you keep all your employees, how do you keep liquidity, how to you build demand, how do you protect pensions, how do you protect employees with preexisting conditions from COVID and the list of questions continue all night. The focus must be worker safety. Workers need to come first and that is the key for us re-opening the economy.
 
Another issue many have is paying their utility bills. If you’re struggling to pay your utility bill, reach out to your  energy providers and seeking financial assistance if they’ve lost a job or their income has dropped amid the coronavirus pandemic.  Contact your utility or propane supplier to ask what kind of protections, funding, flexible payment options, or energy saving tools and resources are available. 
 
Consumers Energy Business Customer call center phone number: 1-800-805-0490 or via email at businesscenter@cmsenergy.com.
 
Consumers Energy Residential Customer call center phone number: 1-800-477-5050 or visithere.
 
DTE Residential customers concerned they may not be able to pay their energy bills due to income reductions or health impacts from COVID-19 are encouraged to call DTE at 800.477.4747.
 
Businesses that use DTE are encouraged to contact DTE at 855.383.4249 to explore options for help.
 
Call 211 or go to mi211.org for information about getting help paying your utility bill or how to contact agencies that may assist you with your energy bill.  
 
Apply for State Emergency Relief (SER) directly through MI Bridges for bill payment assistance or call 855-275-6424. You can also get assistance with the applications process by calling 211 to be referred to a Michigan Energy Assistance Program grantee that can help.  
 
Apply for a Home Heating Credit. Visit the Michigan Department of Treasury’s website to see if you qualify. Even though this funding is distributed by the Department of Treasury, you do not need to pay taxes or wait for a tax return to receive this credit, so apply now if you are eligible. For more information, read the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) Home Heating Credit consumer tip.  
 
In addition, remember utilities across the state have agreed to pause service disconnections for low-income and senior customers through June 1, 2020, while many businesses are closed and residents are under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s extended Stay Home, Stay Safe order.

With rent due today, remember Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order that stops evictions in Michigan during the COVID-19 emergency until May 15. According to the order, tenants can't be evicted if they aren’t able to pay all their rent during this time. 

The Governor and the state's Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) also announced a mortgage relief program with over 200 banks and credit unions to offer relief for homeowners struggling to pay their mortgages. The Governor and DIFS announced the creation of the MiMortgage Relief Partnership to offer a 90-day grace period for all mortgage payments for homeowners in need of assistance. To see if your bank is participating in the program, visit here.

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.