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Dear Friend,
I know many of you, like me, are
experiencing some struggles going into Week 4 of #StayHomeDC. I am
having to make significant adjustments to my daily routine, and I know
that those taking care of children or sharing confined spaces with
family and friends are navigating a difficult new normal. Successfully
reducing our health risk from COVID-19 is going to be a marathon, not
a sprint. I want to thank every resident who is going to great lengths
to stay home for your sacrifices to keep COVID-19 contained, and
yourself and your community safe.
Many of you have written to me with
questions about what support is available for you and your families.
My staff and I have been working around-the-clock to get you updates
and information – through my newsletters, a coronavirus-focused section of my website, and most recently through Facebook
Live webinars
explaining what resources are available and how to access them. I have
also published a series of one-page infographics to
help you quickly navigate what help you’re eligible for as a result of
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here to jump straight to our
updated COVID-19 resources, which
contains answers to the most common questions I’m
receiving.
Thanks for reading, stay safe.
Elissa.
Legislative Updates
EMERGENCY LEGISLATION TO HELP RESIDENTS AND
BUSINESSES
Earlier today, the DC Council
passed a second COVID-19 emergency response bill that further expands
unemployment insurance, freezes rent, sets up a limited mortgage
deferral program (and directs landlords to pass relief they
receive from mortgage servicers on to both residential and commercial
tenants), makes critical adjustments to our public safety agencies,
and implements important consumer protections – such as dealing with
debt collection during this time. An explanation of the major sections
of the bill is available here. You can read
a summary of the first COVID-19 emergency bill in my earlier
newsletter here.
FEDERAL AID PACKAGES
-
The Families First Act (FFA) expands paid sick time
and emergency paid leave for workers impacted by COVID-19 and makes
testing for COVID-19 free to the public. Read a summary of the
legislation here.
-
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security
(CARES) Act expands unemployment insurance for
individuals, small businesses, hospitals, state and local governments,
and others. Read a summary of the legislation here.
COVID-19 Updated
Resources & Frequently Asked Questions
Below I've compiled a list of frequently asked questions in
various areas. I hope this is helpful to you; let me know if there are
other questions you’re having difficulty getting answers
to!
Click any of the sections below to jump ahead:
UNEMPLOYMENT AND PAID SICK
LEAVE
I’m unemployed, or I’ve had my
hours cut from a District-based business due to COVID-19. What cash
assistance is available?
-
Apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI)
at dcnetworks.org to receive the District’s weekly
benefit for up to 39 weeks PLUS an additional $600 per week in federal
aid for up to four months. Learn more here.
I’m a gig worker, independent
contractor, or self-employed. What
cash assistance is available for me?
- The new federal Pandemic
Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program expands UI eligibility to
include self-employed workers, independent contractors, and those with
limited work history. However, system adjustments need to be made by
the Department of Employment Services (DOES) before your claim can be
successfully processed. Interested applicants should monitor the DOES
website for updates.
I’m an undocumented District
worker. Can I access unemployment insurance?
- Unfortunately, undocumented
workers are excluded from UI. The Council is working with Mayor Bowser
and her administration to provide locally-funded cash assistance as
quickly as possible. Learn more here and stay tuned to our website for
updates.
My unemployment insurance
benefits recently ran out. Could I sign up again?
- Yes. The new federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation
(PEUC) program allows eligible workers to receive at least another 13
weeks of assistance, along with the extra $600 federal payment through
July 31. Learn more here.
When will I get my unemployment
insurance benefits?
-
Normal processing times are 14 to 21
days after you apply, though this may be longer given the
unprecedented number of applications DOES has been receiving. Learn
more about what to expect here.
Do I qualify for paid sick leave?
If so, is there a waiting period before I can use this
leave?
- All District workers qualify for some paid sick leave. You can
learn more about how much sick leave District workers have here and read an overview of how the federal aid
package expands paid sick time here.
What happens if I use up all my
sick leave and I’m immunocompromised?
If you have a disability such as a compromised immune system, your
employer may be required to provide you with a reasonable
accommodation such as telecommuting. Click here for more information about reasonable
accommodations.
Find a series of guides to
unemployment insurance in the District at elissasilverman.com/coronavirus.
ASSISTANCE FOR BUSINESSES
I need help making payroll. Is
there help available for my business?
- The Small Business Administration (SBA) has two key programs
available to help COVID-affected small businesses (fewer than 500
employees) make payroll and cover other expenses from February 15 to
June 30: the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program.
- Under PPP, employers are eligible for a 50 percent refundable
payroll tax credit on wages paid up to $10,000 during the crisis. EIDL
has a more flexible range of uses but does not include a
loan forgiveness option.
- EIDL does, however, include an emergency grant option of up to $10,000 that
does not have to be repaid. When a small business
submits their applications for the EIDL loan, they should indicate
they are interested in the emergency grant at the same time. Learn
more about these and other federal programs available here.
- The DC Council’s second emergency
COVID bill mandates that landlords who receive forbearance from their
mortgage servicer need to pass that assistance down to their
commercial tenants. See Sec. 202 of the Council’s April 7, 2020 emergency bill. The District had
also set up a $25 million micro-grant program, but applications have
now closed.
How do I apply, where can I go
for help?
-
DC businesses can start the process on SBA's website by clicking
here and then “Apply for
Assistance.”
-
You can also contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer
Service Center by calling 1-800-659-2955 (open daily from
7:00am to 9:00pm EST) or by emailing
[email protected].
TAXES AND STIMULUS
CHECKS
Has the deadline to file my taxes
changed?
- Yes, the federal government has extended the tax deadline to July
15. Your tax refund does not affect any coronavirus stimulus payment
you may receive.
Who is eligible to receive a
stimulus check?
- Most individuals will qualify for the “relief rebate”
so long as they file
taxes. If you do not file
taxes, but you do receive a federal benefit like Social
Security, veteran’s benefits, or Medicaid, you will qualify and your
rebate will be directly deposited into your account.
Other citizens who do not file taxes may
still be eligible, but need to file a simple tax return. Learn
more the simple tax return process here.
- You are not eligible for a stimulus check if someone claims
you as a dependent, even if you’re an adult. There is an exception for
members of the military. Learn more about eligibility and exemptions
here.
If I’m eligible for a stimulus
check, how much will I receive?
- Eligible individuals will receive a $1,200 refundable tax credit
($2,400 for joint taxpayers). Taxpayers with children will receive a
flat $500 for each child.
When will stimulus checks be
received?
- The estimated deposit date for eligible residents is in mid-April.
Individuals receiving paper checks should expect them in late
April/early May. You can follow the Internal Revenue Service’s
coronavirus resource page for additional
information.
HOUSING ASSISTANCE
I can’t pay my rent this month.
What should I do?
- Evictions are prohibited and in the District until at least May 1,
2020 and rent increases are frozen until at least 30 days after the
public health emergency ends. If you are concerned about being
able to pay your rent, contact your landlord immediately
to discuss your options. If you need additional support
(including legal services) contact the Office of the
Tenant Advocate at 202-719-6560. Residents may also access the “Ask
the Chief Tenant Advocate” system online by clicking here.
-
The April 7, 2020 Council
emergency legislation mandates that landlords who receive forbearance
or other assistance from their mortgage servicer need to pass that
down to residential tenants. See Sec. 202 of the Council's emergency legislation
for details.
I can’t pay my mortgage this
month or am concerned that I might miss an upcoming payment. What
should I do?
- Foreclosures are prohibited in the District until at least May 1,
2020. If your property is secured with a government-backed mortgage,
the federal CARES Act provides additional protections. Find a
HUD-approved housing counseling agency here. Additional resources via the Consumer
Financial Protection Bureau here.
- If you haven’t missed your mortgage payment yet, but are concerned
about being able to pay, reach out to your mortgage servicer as soon
as possible to discuss your options. For borrowers with loans backed
by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, you may be eligible to defer payments
for up to a year.
I can’t pay my utility bill this
month. Will my services be cut off?
- NO. Electric, gas, water, and internet service providers are
prohibited from disconnecting service during the COVID-19 crisis. The
April 7, 2020 emergency bill from DC Council expanded this help to
include additional services. Find a complete summary here.
STUDENT LOAN RELIEF
Is there any relief for federal
student loan payments during the COVID-19 emergency?
- Yes. Under the federal CARES Act, payments for federal student
loans will automatically stop from March 13, 2020, through Sept. 30,
2020. Interest is also being temporarily set at 0% on federal student
loans. No action is needed to stop payments, and you can still make
payments if you choose. Read the borrower Q&A from studentaid.gov to learn more.
Will I receive a stimulus check
if I’m a current student?
- If anyone claims you as a dependent on a tax return, no. Usually,
students under the age of 24 are dependents if a parent pays for at
least half of their expenses.
FOOD ACCESS FOR FAMILIES
How do I enroll in a food access
program for the first time?
I’m a District resident already
using a food assistance program. Do I have to
re-certify?
- No. Residents receiving SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, Alliance, or other
public benefits do not need to take any action to continue receiving
benefits that would otherwise expire on April 30, even if they have
received a letter saying it’s time to re-certify.
Where can children receive meals
while schools are closed?
- All DC Public School (DCPS) buildings are closed through April 24,
but meals continue to be available for students. A list
of meal site locations in every ward is here. A list of public charter schools
offering meals to children (students and non-students) can be found
here.
- More food access resources (including information on food banks)
can be found at DCHunger.org and in this Facebook Live webinar that overviews what’s
available in the District.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Can I visit my family members,
even though there’s a Stay at Home order in place?
- You should be limiting contact to only the immediate people you
live with while the Stay at Home order is in place. To save as
many lives as possible, every resident has to do their part by staying
home as much as possible. Elderly residents are particularly
vulnerable, staying home best protects them and other at-risk
populations.
Councilmember Elissa Silverman
http://www.elissasilverman.com/
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