May 16, 2020

To the Good People of New York’s 9th Congressional District,

Thank you for keeping up the good fight against this pandemic. Your sacrifices bring our community one step closer to renewal each day.

Big news from the House of Representatives: we passed the HEROES Act, a bill that provides crucial relief and support for our heroes fighting COVID-19 on the front lines and who extend to us all a lifeline at great risk to their own lives. While this legislation doesn't provide all that I believe is required to truly heal our nation, we must pass this bill to protect our people, stabilize our economy and provide relief to those who are suffering --There is no healthy economy without a healthy people. 

As reported in Newsweek on Tuesday, our beloved Kings County has the devastating distinction of having more deaths due to COVID-19 than any county in the United States, with a death toll exceeding that of 46 entire states, over 4000 souls have departed us. The 9th District of New York (that’s central and south Brooklyn), is the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all seen and experienced the firsthand devastation of this virus. It was important for me to support this bill that pushes us toward healing this nation.

This week, I am especially proud of Team Clarke, my staff who has assisted me in delivering thousands of food and mask packages to constituents throughout the district including Flatbush, Midwood, Crown Heights and Brownsville. I can’t thank them enough for their steadfast commitment to our community.

As you could guess, my offices in both Brooklyn and Washington D.C. are still temporarily closed, but we are teleworking tirelessly. Please contact my team with constituent concerns at (718) 287-1142 during business hours. 

Thank you for continued commitment to keeping our community safe as we practice social distancing to flatten this curve together.

In good health,

Yvette D. Clarke

Member of Congress

Congresswoman Clarke’s Legislative Updates:

• FEMA considers emergency sheltering in hotels, motels, dormitories and any other spaces with more privacy as “non-congregate sheltering. It’s critical that we set our communities up for success in combating COVID-19 by providing access to sheltering for at-risk populations to properly distance & quarantine. It’s only fair to those who are putting their lives at risk to make sure they have a safe place to call home. That’s why Congressmen Mark Takano and Adriano Espaillat and I introduced the Coronavirus Non-Congregate Housing Expansion Act. Read more about the bill here.
• To ensure protections for our Black and Brown brothers and sisters, Senator Ron Wyden and I led a letter to House and Senate leadership urging that any federal dollars used for artificial intelligence during coronavirus are vetted to protect against any algorithmic bias. View the letter here.
• Now more than ever, journalists are critical in delivering essential information about COVID-19 and other news. I led a letter to House Leadership so the important work of the digital press can continue to deliver high-quality journalism to Americans during this pandemic. View the letter here.
• Congressman Eliot Engel and I wrote to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Azar advocating for dedicated funding for federally qualified community health centers (FQHCs) in regions hit hardest by COVID-19. We must do all we can to protect our most vulnerable communities. Read more about the letter here.
• This week, I spoke to my friends at CSPAN on coronavirus’ impact on central and south Brooklyn, one of the hardest-hit communities. I’m grateful New Yorkers are resilient and we are working tirelessly to ensure our community fully recovers from this pandemic. Watch the interview here.

House of Representatives Leadership Updates:

• The House passed H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, urgently-needed legislation to address the unprecedented coronavirus health and economic crisis.  Read my full release here. 

• Every day, we see the need for further action to combat the coronavirus crisis.  Months into the pandemic, the numbers are devastating:
• More than 85,000 dead;
• More than 1.3 million confirmed cases;
• More than 36 million initial unemployment claims in the past two months, with the April jobs report showing the highest national unemployment rate since the Great Depression.
• The dire situation shows the urgent need for a legislative package that is equal to the crisis gripping our nation.  That is why Democrats have unveiled the Heroes Act to protect the lives and livelihoods of the American people and the life of our democracy – responding to the pandemic and the economic catastrophe that has followed:

• Commits another $75 billion for the testing, tracing and treatment we need in order to have a science-based path to safely reopen our country and helping ensure that every American can access free coronavirus treatment.
• Provides strong support for our heroes with nearly $1 trillion for state, local, territorial and tribal governments on the frontlines who desperately need funds to pay the health care workers, police, fire, transportation, EMS, teachers and other vital workers who keep us safe and are in danger of losing their jobs.  The Heroes Act also will establish a $200 billion Heroes’ fund to ensure that essential workers receive hazard pay.
• Puts money in the pockets of workers with a second round of direct payments to families of up to $6,000 per household, new payroll protection measures to keep 60 million workers connected with their jobs and extending weekly $600 federal unemployment payments through next January.
• Supports small businesses by strengthening the Payroll Protection Program to ensure that it reaches underserved communities, nonprofits of all sizes and types and responds flexibly to small businesses by providing $10 billion for Covid-19 emergency grants through the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.
  • health security – with COBRA subsidies and a special enrollment period in the ACA Marketplaces for those without insurance
  • workplace security – requiring OSHA to ensure that all workplaces develop science-based infection control plans and preventing employers from retaliating against workers who report problems
  • housing security – with $175 billion in new supports to assist renters and homeowners make monthly rent, mortgage and utility payments and other housing-related costs.
  • food security – with a 15 percent increase to the maximum SNAP benefit and additional funding for nutrition programs that help families put food on the table.
• Ensures further support for Americans, including for:
• Protects the life of our democracy with new resources to ensure safe elections, an accurate Census, and preserve the Postal Service.
• Honoring Our Heroes:  Provides nearly $1 trillion to state, local, territorial and tribal governments who desperately need funds to pay vital workers like the health care workers, police, firefighters, transportation workers, EMS, teachers and other critical workers who help keep us safe.  
• Without this critical funding, many of these workers will lose their jobs. 
• Specifically, the bill provides $500 billion for state governments, $375 billion for local governments, $20 billion for tribal governments, and $20 billion for the territories.

• A Heroes’ Fund for Essential Workers:  Establishes a $200 billion Heroes’ Fund to ensure that essential workers who have risked their lives working during the pandemic receive hazard pay.
• An Additional $75 Billion for Coronavirus Testing, Contact Tracing and Isolation Measures:  
• The only way to safely open the country is to have a science-based, robust testing and contact tracing program.  
• As a result, this bill provides an additional $75 billion to public health departments and workforce agencies to support testing, contact tracing, and isolation or quarantine -- on top of the $25 billion already provided in the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.  
• The bill provides that grants will consider a grantee’s burden of COVID-19, need for surge mitigation, and intention to serve populations experiencing disparities in impact or access to services.
• Requiring An Updated National Strategic Plan on Testing With Clear Benchmarks and Timelines:  The bill requires the Administration to submit to Congress by June 15 an updated national strategic plan on testing with clear benchmarks and timelines.
• Requiring the Use of Culturally Competent and Multilingual Strategies for Contact Tracing:  
• The bill requires public health departments to use culturally competent and multilingual strategies for contact tracing and permits contracting with community-based organizations to reach diverse populations.
• Ensuring Every American Can Access Free COVID-19 Treatment: 
• The bill ensures every American can access free COVID-19 treatment – eliminating cost sharing for coronavirus treatment for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries as well as those with private health insurance, TRICARE, VA Health Care, and Federal Employee Health Benefits.
• Supporting Hospitals and Frontline Health Care Providers:

• The bill infuses an additional $100 billion into the Health Care Provider Relief Fund along with requirements on allocation of such funding to ensure that funds are distributed to providers in an equitable and efficient way.
• Strengthening Federal Support for States’ Vital Medicaid Programs, As Millions of Jobless Americans Are Expected To Enroll In The Program:  
• The bill increases Medicaid’s Federal Matching Assistance (FMAP) by 14 percentage points through June 30, 2021 – providing federal dollars that are critically needed by the states. 
• The Congress had increased the FMAP by 6.2 percentage points in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act enacted in early March – but that increase has proven insufficient to meet the enormous need
• Also Strengthening Federal Support for State Medicaid Services For Patients In Home And Community-Based Care: The bill also increases Medicaid FMAP for state Medicaid services for patients in home and community-based care by 10 percentage points.
• These Increases Are Critical to The States, Facing Dire Financial Situations: As a result of the pandemic, states are cash-strapped and this funding will allow them to continue providing life-saving services.

• Providing A Second Round of More Substantial Direct Payments to Individuals and Households:  

• The bill provides a direct payment of $1,200 per family member, up to a maximum of $6,000 per household.  

• The payment begins to phase out at $75,000 of modified adjusted gross income for single individuals (and at $112,500 for head of household filers and $150,000 for joint filers.)

• Enhancing the New Employee Retention Tax Credit That Encourages Employers to Keep Employees on Payroll:  The bill enhances the new Employee Retention Tax Credit, created in the CARES Act, that encourages employers to keep employees on payroll, allowing 60 million Americans to remain connected to their paychecks and benefits.  
• For example, the bill increases the amount of wages eligible for the credit from $10,000 annually per employee to $15,000 quarterly and increases the applicable percentage of qualified wages reimbursed through the employee retention credit from 50 percent to 80 percent for employers whose business has been financially impacted by the coronavirus.  
• The bill also makes the credit more accessible for businesses, sole proprietors and gig workers.  
• A separate credit also allows small- and medium-sized businesses to use a tax credit to offset the costs of fixed expenses.
• Requiring OSHA, Within Seven Days of Enactment, to Issue a Temporary Strong, Enforceable Standard for Infection Control Plans in Workplaces: 
• The bill requires OSHA to issue an emergency temporary enforceable standard within seven days of enactment to require all workplaces to develop and implement infection control plans, based on CDC expertise.
• Requiring OSHA, Within 24 Months of Enactment, to Issue a Permanent Strong, Enforceable Standard for Infection Control Plans in Workplaces: The bill also requires OSHA to issue a permanent strong, enforceable standard within 24 months of enactment to require workplaces to develop and implement infection control plans, based on CDC expertise. 
• Prohibits Employers from Retaliating Against Workers Who Report Infection Control Problems: The bill also prohibits employers from retaliating against workers for reporting or publicizing health and safety hazards, including infection control problems.
• Strengthening the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to ensure that it reaches underserved communities:  The bill includes provisions to ensure PPP reaches underserved communities, including creating a carve-out of 25 percent of existing funds to be used specifically for small businesses with 10 or fewer employees to guarantee they are fully able to access PPP assistance.  
• It also creates an additional set aside of existing funds of the lesser of 25 percent or $10 billion specifically for community financial institutions, such as Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Development Institutions (MDIs), SBA microlenders, and SBA Certified Development Companies.
• Strengthening the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to Ensure That It Reaches Nonprofits of All Sizes and Types:  The bill includes provisions to ensure PPP reaches nonprofits of all sizes and types, including creating a carve-out of 25 percent of existing funds solely for the use of nonprofits, no matter their size or type but requiring that at least half this amount go to small nonprofits under the 500-employee threshold.
• Making Improvements to PPP Loan Forgiveness:  The bill makes improvements to PPP Loan Forgiveness, by for example adding flexibility in the covered period for borrowers by extending the current 8-week period to 24 weeks and extending the covered period from June 30 to December 31.
• Supporting Small Businesses By Providing $10 Billion for COVID-19 emergency grants through SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program:  The bill also includes additional provisions supporting small businesses, including by providing $10 billion for the EIDL grant program, which offers up to $10,000 in cash advances for immediate relief to small businesses and eligible nonprofits that apply for an EIDL loan.  
• The cash advance does not have to be paid back.
• Protecting Americans At Risk of Losing Their Employer-Provided Health Insurance:  The bill protects Americans at risk of losing their employer-provided health insurance by fully subsidizing the cost of their COBRA coverage and furloughed workers’ premiums, in order to allow workers to maintain their employer-sponsored coverage if they lose employment, have their hours reduced, or are furloughed as a result of the pandemic. 
• Establishing a Special Enrollment Period for the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces:  With many more Americans now having no access to affordable health coverage, the bill creates a special enrollment period for the uninsured for the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces.
• Extending Weekly $600 Federal Unemployment Payments Through January 31, 2021:  The bill extends weekly $600 federal unemployment payments through January 31, 2021, thereby providing a vital safety net for the record number of Americans who are unemployed.
• Extending 100% Federal Funding of Extended Unemployment Compensation (EB) Through June 30, 2021:  The Families First Coronavirus Response Act had increased the federal reimbursement for Extended Unemployment Compensation (EB) from 50 percent to 100 percent through December 31, 2020.  
• This bill extends the 100% federal funding through June 30, 2021.
• Creating a $100 Billion Emergency Rental Assistance Program, To Help Ensure Struggling Families Continue to Have A Safe Place to Live During this Pandemic:  The bill creates a $100 billion Emergency Rental Assistance Program that would allocate funds to states, territories, counties, and cities to help renters pay their rent and utility bills during the COVID-19 pandemic, and help rental property owners of all sizes continue to cover their costs.
• Creating A $75 Billion Homeowner Assistance Program, To Help Homeowners Struggling to Afford Their Housing As A Result of the Pandemic:  The bill also creates a $75 billion Homeowner Assistance Fund that would allocate funds to states, territories, and tribes to address the ongoing needs of homeowners struggling to afford their housing due directly or indirectly to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by providing direct assistance with mortgage payments, property taxes, property insurance, utilities, and other housing related costs.
• Protecting Renters and Homeowners from Evictions and Foreclosures:  The bill extends and expands the eviction moratorium and foreclosure moratorium in the CARES Act to include all renters and homeowners and improves the forbearance provided under the CARES Act.
• Making Key Investments in Food Security: In response to rising hunger, the bill makes a number of key improvements to SNAP, nutrition, and food assistance, including:
• Boosts SNAP maximum benefits by 15 percent (through September 30, 2021)
• Nearly doubles the minimum monthly SNAP benefit from $16 to $30;
• Prevents funding to be used for USDA to implement the Administration’s three harmful SNAP rules that weaken benefits and access to food; and
• Bolsters Farm-to-Food Bank pipelines by providing reimbursements for harvesting, transporting, packing and processing produce and commodities for donation to food banks.
• Providing Additional Funds for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP):  The bill provides an additional $150 million for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), for a total of $1 billion provided by Congress to help local food banks meet the dramatically increased demand for food during this public health emergency.
• Provides $3.6 billion to ensure that elections can be held safely in 2020.
• Provides $25 billion to preserve the Postal Service, which will play a key role in ensuring safe elections.
• Provides $40 million to help ensure an accurate Census.
• This Pandemic Has Highlighted the Necessity of All Americans Having Access to Broadband: With America’s students dependent on remote learning during this public health emergency, it is clearer than ever that all American households need access to broadband in their homes.
• Providing $1.5 Billion To Expand Access to Remote Learning: The bill immediately provides $1.5 billion for schools and libraries to purchase internet connectivity, hotspots and “connected devices” like tablets for students to facilitate remote learning throughout the length of the public health emergency.
• Creating A Pool of $4 Billion To Help Ensure Families Do Not Lose Their Broadband Access During the Public Health Emergency.  The bill creates a pool of $4 billion to provide up to $50-a-month subsidies to low-income families or laid-off and furloughed workers in order to help pay their internet service bills throughout the end of the pandemic.
• Providing $90 billion for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund for Education:  The bill provides $90 billion for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund for Education for grants to states to support elementary and secondary schools and public postsecondary institutions, including the following:

• Nearly $58 billion for K-12 schools to continue delivering instruction, including purchasing education technology and hotspot devices, planning and implementing summer learning, professional development, and maintaining school personnel employment.
• Nearly $27 billion to support public institutions of higher education and their students.
• Nearly $4 billion to governors to award funding to school districts and institutions of higher education.

• Providing More Than $10 Billion In Direct Emergency Funding For Institutions Of Higher Education, Including $1.7 Billion For Historically Black Colleges And Other Minority-Serving Institutions:  The bill provides more than $10 billion in direct emergency funding for institutions of higher education that  have suffered severe financial losses due to COVID-19, including $1.7 billion for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Minority Serving Institutions.
• Providing $7 Billion For Childcare Providers:  The bill provides $7 billion for childcare providers to serve individuals who are required to work during the public health emergency or to stay afloat during temporary closures, as well as providing childcare facilities with tuition relief.
• Providing Student Loan Debt Relief:  The bill provides up to $10,000 in student debt relief for economically-distressed federal borrowers; ensures all federal student loan borrowers benefit from the temporary suspension of payments, interest accrual and involuntary collections through September 2021; and provides debt relief to student borrowers defrauded by Corinthian Colleges and ITT Tech.

NYC & NYS Updates:

• The Test and Trace Corps is being formed to suppress the spread of COVID-19 as NYC prepares to enter the “low-level transmission” phase. The Corps will focus on preventing infection even as social distancing measures are adjusted. The Mayor announced our Test and Trace Leadership Team, which combines the health expertise of DOHMH with the operational expertise of other H+H and City Hall senior officials:
• Dr. Ted Long, Executive Director
• Jackie Bray, Deputy Executive Director
• Dr. Andrew Wallach, Chief Medical Officer
• Dr. Jay Varma, Senior Advisor for Public Health
• Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, DOHMH Deputy Commissioner of Disease Control
•  Mission:
• The Test and Trace Corps’ mission is to implement NYC’s fight to suppress COVID-19 by testing New Yorkers for infection, tracing all cases and contacts, and providing support and care. By May, the unit will house and deploy 1,000 public health foot soldiers to do this work, with 2,500 by June. Nearly 7,000 applications have already been received.
• NYC will utilize the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19/Contact Tracing Training, sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies, for all applicants being considered. We will also be partnering with Salesforce to deploy a fully integrated call center, customer relationship and case management system designed to support citywide test and trace efforts. The Corps will deploy Salesforce on June 1st.
•  Isolation and Care
• The Corps will provide hotel rooms for any New Yorkers requiring isolation and monitoring. By June, 1,200 hotel rooms with monitoring and supervision will be online. Appropriate social service, wrap around service, and clinical services will be provided onsite.
•  Protecting Homeless New Yorkers
• The MTA is closing stations nightly from 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM for deep cleaning, and DHS outreach teams are engaging homeless individuals as they leave the trains. Last night, DHS engaged 269 people, and 163 accepted services. 
• This included 148 people who went to shelters, and 15 who were brought to the hospital. 
• This means in the last three nights, we’ve been able to get 520 New Yorkers who are homeless to come into safe havens and shelters or go to medical facilities.
• Social Distancing in Our Parks
• In order to best protect New Yorkers from the spread of COVID, the City will increase social distancing in parks that have been experiencing large crowds in tight spaces: we will limit capacity at Hudson River Park Piers 45 and 46 and increase NYPD presence and monitoring of Domino Park in Williamsburg.
• Other Recent Announcements:
• VetCheck Mental Health for Veterans: Today, the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services and the Mayor’s Office of ThriveNYC launched Mission: VetCheck. Members of the veteran community will call other veterans to check in and provide information about vital public services, including meals, COVID-19 test sites, and mental health resources. Mission: VetCheck.
•  Antibody Testing for Health Care Workers and First Responders: NYS is launching a program next week to test 140,000 healthcare workers and first responders in hospitals, firehouses, police stations and correction facilities.
• Antibody Testing for New Yorkers: Also launching two phase antibody testing for another 140,000 New Yorkers next week, in partnership with BioReference Labs.
• The first survey of 70,000 will start Monday and run through late May. We’ll repeat the survey for another 140,000 in June. 
• Antibody testing will be by appointment only, with priority for local communities. Complete this survey to schedule an appointment: Antibody Testing Appointment Survey or call 888- 279-0967. 
• Please encourage folks to use the website, in order to keep the hotline free for those without internet access.
• Our initial capacity will be 1,000 tests a day at each antibody testing sites:
• Brooklyn: 127 Pennsylvania Avenue
• Bronx: 4006 Third Avenue, Bathgate
• Manhattan: 21 Old Broadway
• Queens: 34-09 Queens Boulevard
• Staten Island: St. John’s Villa, 57 Cleveland Place
• Extension of Eviction Moratorium: The State announced an extension of the eviction moratorium for residential and commercial tenants facing COVID-related hardship for an additional 60 days through August 20.
• Banned late payment fees for missed payments during moratorium and will allow renters facing hardship due to COVID-19 to use their security deposit to pay rent.
• Additional Face Covering Distribution: We are distributing 7.5 million free face coverings.
• Five million 3-ply non-medical masks and 2.5 million cloth face coverings will be given out at a variety of locations, including NYCHA, DOE Grab & Go sites, Parks, Mitchell-Lama buildings, grocery stores, and as part of social distancing enforcement. 
• The map with distribution sites is available online: Face Coverings.
• NYC Open Streets: If you know of streets in your community that could be safely closed with the staffing of community partners, please submit suggestions here. 
• Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance. Please submit separate applications for each corridor you are proposing to pedestrianize in your community. Email [email protected] if you have any questions.
• GetFood: Our goal is to grow our capacity to deliver 1 million meals a day to seniors. We are seeking nonprofits to increase capacity, with a focus on culturally sensitive meals. We need support in Melrose, Washington Heights, Morris Park, Flushing, Sunset Park, and more. Please share the Request for Information here, and encourage nonprofits to visit NYC.gov/nonprofits for information.
• Community Testing Sites: All 11 H+H Hospitals will open for community testing this week, with 30 more sites opening the week of May 18th.
• Remote Learning Device Distribution: Please encourage families to complete the Remote Learning Device Request. 
• Families can also call 718-935-5100and choose option 5. DOE has identified approximately 35,000 students with disabilities in religious and independent non-public schools who are eligible to request a device. 
• We want feedback. We have a Remote Learning Survey available in nine languages.
• Alternate Side Parking: Alternate Side Parking Regulations will be suspended through Tuesday, May 12. Parking meters and all other parking rules remain in effect. The City may extend the suspension based on street cleanliness and workforce availability.
• NYCHA: Details about the Mayor’s 5-point plan are available here: Mayor de Blasio Announces New Plan to Combat COVID-19 at NYCHA. NYCHA has installed hand sanitizer dispensers in all 69 senior developments, and we have mailed every NYCHA household masks and gloves for every household member.
• Grab & Go Meals for All New Yorkers: No one is turned away, and participants are able to pick up three meals. To find a location, text “NYCFOOD” or “COMIDA” to 877-877 or here: Free Meal Sites.
• Kosher Meals: Available at 16 sites, with 2 more opening 5/11.
• Halal Meals: Available at all 400+ grab-and-go sites. We are adding 25% capacity at 32 DOE sites during the month of Ramadan.
• Paid Sick Leave: Direct constituents to the City’s Call Center at 855-491-2667 or 311 to facilitate claiming paid sick leave.
•  Visit DOHMH FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions for information on how to obtain the necessary medical documentation.
• ●      Health Insurance Special Enrollment: Extended through 6/15, health insurance enrollment is open for uninsured New Yorkers as part of a Special Enrollment Period: Get Covered
• Job Opportunities:
• NYC Health and Hospitals is hiring for several positions - patient transportation, clerical and cleaning staff. 
• You can apply today at http://nyc.gov/getwork.   Spread the word: https://twitter.com/NYCMayor/status/1249371220811952136.
• We are hiring 1,000 people with experience in the healthcare field to be Contact Tracers. Please encourage candidates to apply here https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/careers/.
• The City of New York is hiring licensed TLC drivers to deliver food to New Yorkers in need during the COVID-19 crisis. Find more information at NYC Food Delivery Driver Portal.
• Mental Health Resources: Available by calling 1-888-NYC-WELL or texting “WELL” to 65173. Visit: NYC Well – Talk. Text. Chat. 24/7. Additional resources: Mental Health Support New Yorkers Can Access While Staying Home.
• Friendly Visiting Program: We’re connecting older New Yorkers who are feeling isolated with volunteers to talk with over the phone by calling 212-AGING-NYC.
• Family Justice Centers: All borough centers are available by phone. More online: Family Justice Centers or call 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-621-4673.
• As a reminder, vulnerable New Yorkers who have symptoms or questions about COVID-19 can call 1-844-NYC-4NYC to connect with a medical provider from Health and Hospitals.

IRS Updates:

• The Internal Revenue Service urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for a surge of calls and email phishing attempts about the Coronavirus, or COVID-19. These contacts can lead to tax-related fraud and identity theft.
• IRS and Security Summit warn tax pros of cybercriminals taking advantage of COVID-19 to create new scams: https://go.usa.gov/xvKAW 
• To help everyone check the status of their Economic Impact Payment, IRS has launched a tool that provides the status of a payment, including the date it’s scheduled to be deposited or mailed. www.irs.gov/eip  
• IRS is issuing Economic Impact Payments in record time, but we understand you may have pending questions. Take a moment to check our FAQs: www.irs.gov/EIPFAQ   
• IRSTaxTip: Be sure to know the signs of an IRS impersonating phone scam, especially during tax filing season: http://go.usa.gov/xd73W 
• An IRS tool lets you submit your banking information online to get an Economic Impact Payment faster. If the IRS doesn’t have your direct deposit information, get it ready now and submit it as soon as the feature is launched. www.irs.gov/eip  
• IRS is now accepting applications for the Tax Counseling for the Elderly and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance grant programs through Monday, June 1. The application packages and guidelines are available on the IRS site.  Apply today: https://go.usa.gov/xvwNe
• IRS alerts taxpayers of scams that may pop up during the COVID-19 outbreak. Learn to recognize scams and check that your donation goes to legitimate charities: www.irs.gov/teos
• Are you a small business owner who offers paid family and medical leave to your employees? Here’s what you need to know about the IRS employer credit for paid family and medical leave and how to claim it: https://go.usa.gov/xVwTS
• IRS: Three new tax credits are available to many businesses hit by COVID-19. Learn more: https://go.usa.gov/xvjbp  
• Recipients of #Veterans Affairs benefits will automatically receive Economic Impact Payments without the need to file taxes for 2018 or 2019. Date TBD. More details from IRS at www.irs.gov/coronavirus  
• IRSTaxTip: Learn to avoid common errors when filing IRS Form 7200 for advance payment of employer credits due to COVID-19: https://go.usa.gov/xvEwa 
• IRS reminder: Deadline extended to July 15 for those who pay estimated taxes for tax year 2020. Questions? Learn more at: www.irs.gov/covidtaxdeadlines  
• The IRS employee retention credit encourages businesses to keep workers on the payroll. It’s a refundable tax credit for employers whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19. Learn more: https://go.usa.gov/xvGRk  
• The employee retention credit encourages employers to keep employees on their payroll, despite experiencing economic hardship related to COVID-19. IRS has posted FAQs to help you understand this new credit. See www.irs.gov/coronavirus  
• Most data breaches begin with phishing scams. IRS urges you not to let your guard down: www.irs.gov/phishing
• The employee retention credit encourages tax-exempt organizations to keep employees on their payroll, despite experiencing economic hardship related to COVID-19. IRS has information to help you understand this new credit: https://go.usa.gov/xvYqa    
• Whether you’re filing a tax return to claim a refund or to get an extension, IRS can help you get it right. Find help at www.irs.gov/help

• IRS Reminder: The federal income tax filing and payments deadline is now July 15, regardless of amount owed. See www.irs.gov/coronavirus  
• U.S. citizens who work abroad also qualify for the newly extended IRS tax return filing and payment deadline of July 15. Learn more at: www.irs.gov/coronavirus  
• IRS and Security Summit warn #TaxPros of cybercriminals taking advantage of COVID-19 to create new scams: https://go.usa.gov/xvKAW #TaxSecurity
• IRS is issuing Economic Impact Payments in record time, but we understand you may have pending questions.  Take a moment to check our FAQs: www.irs.gov/EIPFAQ  
• IRS has launched a tool that provides taxpayers the status of an Economic Impact Payments, including the date it’s scheduled to be deposited or mailed. www.irs.gov/eip  
• IRS reminds you that scammers may ask you to sign your Economic Impact Payment over to them. Don’t fall for it. To learn more about coronavirus-related scams, read https://go.usa.gov/xvrf7  

SNAP Updates:

• Despite 36 million-plus jobless claims, unemployment projected to hit 25% by July, and food bank lines miles long, the Trump USDA is proceeding with its unconscionable crackdown on SNAP work rules. 
• In the Heroes Act, House Democrats provide a 15% increase in SNAP benefits, and $300 million for states to meet the needs of new SNAP enrollments. Meanwhile the ideologues at the Trump USDA are moving ahead with their cuts to SNAP. 
• Congress overwhelmingly and historically voted against the Trump USDA’s SNAP policies in the 2018 Farm Bill. #HandsOffSNAP
• Hungry families have told @USDA, through tens of thousands of public comments, this rule would cut life-saving nutrition assistance even before the pandemic. Now that need threatens millions more families and USDA is ignoring them. 
• Before the pandemic, USDA’s cruel crackdown on SNAP work rules would have kicked nearly a million beneficiaries off the program. Now as millions \1ct;more Americans have lost their jobs, the Trump USDA wants to take their SNAP benefits too. #HandsOffSNAP
• During a time of unprecedented need, President Trump wants to kick millions off SNAP by imposing stricter work requirements and putting bureaucratic barriers between hungry Americans and the help they need. 
• Before the pandemic, the Trump USDA argued the economy was strong enough to get SNAP beneficiaries back to work. Now, with the pandemic taking a brutal economic toll, USDA is proceeding with its crackdown on work rules anyway. #HandsOffSNAP
• Demand at food banks is up 70 percent nationwide—and as much as 600 percent in some places—but the Trump USDA continues to try to cut SNAP, which makes the problem even worse. #HandsOffSNAP
• 40 percent of low-income American workers lost their jobs in March. They need support, but the Trump USDA wants to cut SNAP through stricter work crackdowns instead. 
• Across the country, inventory at food banks is down and many are short on volunteers. Despite that, the Trump USDA continues their efforts to cut SNAP.