IMPORTANT COVID-19 RESOURCES
Dear Friends,
Our nation is facing one of the gravest health and economic emergencies in over 100 years. The coronavirus pandemic has had a deep impact on every aspect of American life — and bold action is required to address the health emergency, mitigate the economic damage and provide for a strong recovery. Since the beginning of the epidemic, I along with my House colleagues have focused on ensuring our nation’s response puts workers and families first: their health, their wages and their wellbeing.
We have already passed and and the president has signed into law three sweeping pieces of legislation:
- The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act
- The Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Together, these laws dramatically expand critical financial lifelines for families, establish new benefits and protections for workers, create new tools for small businesses to meet payroll and other expenses, and provide relief for students and schools. These resources will help you understand all the benefits that are available to you and our community — and how to access them.
INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
- More laid-off and furloughed workers than ever before (including those new to the job market) will be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI) and will see an additional $600 per week to match the average paycheck for up to 4 months of benefits. These benefits will be available immediately.
- Residents seeking more information about UI benefits should contact the state unemployment insurance program. For the Texas Workforce Commission, please click here.
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE DIRECT PAYMENTS TO INDIVIDUALS & THEIR FAMILIES
- Individuals making up to $75,000 ($150,000 for married workers) will receive payments of $1,200 with an additional $500 payment per minor child. The payments decrease ratably and stop altogether for single workers making more than $99,000 ($198,000 for married workers and $218,000 for a family of four.)
- These payments will be issued by the IRS via direct deposit and will be based on 2019 or 2018 tax returns or a 2019 Social Security statement.
- If someone has not filed a tax return in 2018 or 2019 and does not receive Social Security benefits, the IRS recommends filing a 2018 return to receive payment. If the IRS does not have the taxpayer’s bank account information, the taxpayer should look for a letter in the mail from the IRS detailing how to receive their payment.
- If you receive Social Security, retirement or other social safety net benefits, you may still qualify for direct payments. These payments will not be taxable nor represent “resources” for program eligibility purposes. Click here for more information from the IRS.
FOOD ASSISTANCE
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), more commonly known as food stamps, ensures that Americans receive the food they need, especially if they are newly unemployed. Congress has invested in SNAP in the last three bills to help Americans put food on the table during this crisis.
- In order to apply for SNAP, contact Texas' SNAP office or the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food & Nutrition Services regional offices near you.
- The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) provides access to nutritious foods to low-income pregnant women or mothers. To see if you are eligible for WIC benefits click here. To learn more about how to apply for WIC click here. To learn about WIC in Texas, click here.
FOOD BANKS
- Congress has now secured $850 million in emergency funding for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) to help food banks face increased utilization and demand in countless communities across the country due to the coronavirus. Click here for Texas state contacts or find a local food bank near you.
- To find food assistance near you, call the USDA National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY/1- 877-8-HAMBRE
HOMEOWNER & RENTERS PROTECTIONS
- Mortgage Forbearance: Homeowners with FHA, USDA, VA, or Section 184 or 184A mortgages (for members of federally-recognized tribes) and those with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac have the right to request forbearance on their payments for up to 6 months, with a possible extension for another 6 months without fees, penalties, or extra interest. Homeowners should contact their mortgage servicing company directly.
- Eviction Protections: Renters residing in public or assisted housing, or in a home or apartment whose owner has a federally-backed mortgage, and who are unable to pay their rent, are protected from eviction for 4 months. Property owners are also prohibited from issuing a 30-day notice to a tenant to vacate a property until after the 4-month moratorium ends. This protection covers properties that receive federal subsidies such as public housing, Section 8 assistance, USDA rural housing programs, and federally-issued or guaranteed mortgages.
ENERGY ASSISTANCE FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES
- This legislative package includes $900 million to help low income Americans and their families heat and cool their homes. To learn more about the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Texas, click here.
EMERGENCY PAID LEAVE
- Many workers in America currently have no paid leave and are being forced to choose between their paycheck, their health, and the health of the people around them.
- The emergency paid leave provisions passed by Congress and signed into law by the President are a critical step toward protecting families’ financial security and mitigating the spread of the coronavirus. Below is information on eligibility for emergency paid sick leave and paid family leave.
EMERGENCY PAID LEAVE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
SMALL BUSINESSES
SMALL BUSINESS FORGIVABLE LOANS AND GRANTS
- Congress secured $350 billion in forgivable loans and $10 billion in grants to small businesses, tribal business concerns, and certain nonprofits.
- Loans through a new SBA 7(a) Paycheck Protection Program can be forgiven when used for payroll costs (including paid leave, health care, and other costs) to retain workers, and other expenses such as rent, mortgage interest, and utilities. Independent contractors, sole-proprietors, and other self-employed persons are eligible for these loans.
- Small businesses can also apply for up to $10,000 in grants to retain workers and pay for debt obligations.
- Small businesses, tribal business concerns, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and 501(c)(19) veterans organizations in your district should contact their lender and the Small Business Administration office directly. For a list of SBA offices by state with contact information please click here.
SMALL BUSINESS FORGIVABLE LOANS AND GRANTS PAID SICK AND FAMILY LEAVE TAX CREDIT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
As we receive more information, we will disseminate it to you as quickly as we can. Please be sure to check Gonzalez.House.Gov or our Facebook and Twitter pages for further updates.
Despite these turbulent times, it is an honor to serve the 15th District of Texas. If you ever have need of assistance with a federal agency please do not hesitate to contact our office at Gonzalez.House.Gov/contact.
Sincerely,
Vicente Gonzalez
Member of Congress
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