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Friends, 

These past weeks have asked a lot of Iowa. We've seen our hospitals and health centers, schools and small businesses, and each and every one of our communities feel the weight of this coronavirus outbreak.

My heart is broken that we lost one of our fellow Iowans to this virus earlier this week, and three more since then. I am praying for their families during this challenging time.

We need to be taking this public health emergency seriously. As many of our public health officials have advised, Iowans need to be doing their part to slow the spread of this disease by staying home whenever possible, avoiding gatherings of more than 10 people, cleaning frequently-used surfaces, and practicing good hygiene.

I've been in touch with many of our health care experts, state and county emergency managers, members of the business community, and other local officials to ensure I'm doing everything I can to get them the resources they need during this outbreak. I also held a telephone town hall last Monday to connect thousands of Iowans directly with experts to get them the help and answers they need. You can listen to that town hall here.

Thank you to everyone who's written into my office to share their concerns and bring new issues to our attention. If you need assistance during this trying time, please feel free to contact my offices or write to me directly by clicking here.

Here are a few things I've been focused on this week:

Passing our Third Coronavirus Package to Support Iowa Workers, Families, and Farmers

This week, Congress passed a $2 trillion package to help Iowa workers, families, small businesses, health care professionals, farmers, and states who are under the incredible burden of this public health emergency.

It passed both the Senate and the House on unanimous votes, and the President signed it into law on Friday afternoon.

I'm glad this bipartisan bill includes:

• $1.25 billion for the State of Iowa to cover additional expenses due to COVID-19
• $350 billion to help small businesses keep their employees paid, support employee benefits insurance premiums, and cover mortgage payments and other debt obligations
• $100 billion for grants to hospitals and other health entities to cover unreimbursed expenses or lost revenues attributable to coronavirus
• $30 billion for education funding to help schools cover expenses, support distance learning, and make up for the lost days of classroom time
• $14 billion to replenish the Commodity Credit Corporation to support Iowa farmers and producers, and $9.5 billion to assist specialty crop and livestock producers
• An additional $600 per week of unemployment benefits for up to 4 months and expanded unemployment coverage to cover gig workers and independent contractors
• An employee retention credit that offers employers tax credits equal to 50% of the wages paid to employees for those employers who are fully or partially shut down or who have lost most of their revenue
• Direct payments of up to $1,200 for each adult and $500 for each child

How Do I Get My Direct Payments?

The CARES Act includes direct payments of up to $1,200 for each adult and $500 for each child. Joint filers can receive up to $2,400. So, if you're a family of four, you’ll be eligible for a maximum of $3,400.

If you made less than $75,000 in 2019, you will be eligible for the full payment of $1,200. If you made more than $75,000, your payment will be reduced by $5 for every $100 of income that exceeds the limits. So if you made $80,000 in 2019, you will receive $950. The payment decreases to zero for an individual making $99,000 or more or a couple making $198,000 or more.

Your income will be calculated based on your 2019 tax return, or your 2018 tax return if you have not filed your 2019 return yet. Direct payments will also be available to recipients of Social Security.

Additional information on when the payments will be distributed and who can qualify to receive a direct payment will be provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Getting More Medical Supplies & Personal Protective Equipment for Iowa Health Professionals

In conversations with doctors, nurses, and health care providers in Iowa, I've heard concerns about personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages at Iowa hospitals and health centers. That is simply unacceptable.

I led a bipartisan group of colleagues in a letter that called on the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the Department of Defense to employ existing trade relationships to help prevent shortages of key medical supplies and PPE during this pandemic.

After the USTR received my bipartisan letter, I'm proud to say they announced they would be removing tariffs on masks, ventilators, and other equipment to try to help PPE shortages in the U.S.

Additional Resources

Unemployment Insurance & Assistance 

If you lose your job during the coronavirus outbreak, you can apply for unemployment assistance here or by calling (866) 239-0843.

Both business owners and employees are eligible to apply for unemployment benefits. You can find a step-by-step guide on doing so here.

Small Business Assistance 

On March 23, Governor Reynolds announced a new Iowa Small Business Relief Program to provide financial assistance to small businesses and tax deferrals to Iowa businesses economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program is NOT first-come, first-served. All applications received by noon on March 31st will be reviewed. Click here to learn more and apply.

Iowa businesses can also now qualify for an Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) through the Small Business Administration (SBA). 

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.

Federal and Tax Deadline Extensions

The IRS announced that the deadline to file 2019 federal income taxes has been delayed until July 15, 2020. In addition, the deadline for federal estimated income tax payments for 2020, which was previously April 15, 2020, has also been delayed until July 15, 2020.

The IRS will still process tax returns, so if you are expecting a refund, you are advised to file now so that you can get your refund from the IRS as quickly as possible.

The State of Iowa also extended filing and payment deadlines for income, franchise, and moneys and credits taxes with a due date between March 19th and July 31st to a new deadline of July 31, 2020. Learn more here.

The IRS has also created a page dedicated to outlining its efforts to help taxpayers, businesses, and others affected by the coronavirus. You can visit this page, which will be updated as new information becomes available, here.

Other Quick Links

State of Iowa Coronavirus Resources

CDC Coronavirus Resources

FAQs for Families & Small Businesses During the Coronavirus Outbreak

If we work together, I am confident that Iowans will get through this COVID-19 outbreak and, when the public health threat has passed, we will come back stronger than ever. 

I am grateful to all of our health care professionals, grocery and pharmacy clerks, volunteers, National Guard members, first responders, and many other Iowans who are helping to keep us safe, healthy, and protected during these challenging times.

Thank you, 

Cindy