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Friends, 

The CDC and FEMA recently announced some new assistance programs to help Iowans through financial difficulties and recover from the recent derecho.

I’m grateful to see this aid coming to our communities, and I wanted to use this newsletter as an opportunity to share these resources and update you on what I’ve been working on the past few weeks.

Need Help Navigating the CDC’s Eviction Moratorium?

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced they were using their authority to grant Iowa renters protection from eviction due to nonpayment if they meet certain criteria and submit forms to their landlord.

In order to qualify, each tenant must meet the following qualifications:

• They have used best efforts to obtain all available government assistance for rent or housing – including any governmental rental or housing payment benefits available to the individual or any household member;
• Either: 
  • expect to earn no more than $99,000 in annual income for Calendar Year 2020 (or no more than $198,000 if filing a joint tax return),
  • were not required to report any income in 2019 to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or
  • received an Economic Impact Payment pursuant to Section 2201 of the CARES Act;
• Are unable to pay their full rent or make a full housing payment due to loss of income, loss of work or wages, lay-offs, or extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses (any unreimbursed medical expense likely to exceed 7.5% of one’s adjusted gross income for the year); 
• Do their best to make partial payments; and
• Expect that if evicted they would likely become homeless or need to share a residence in close quarters.

If you meet these criteria, you and every other adult on your lease need to submit the CDC’s form to your landlord to be covered.

For more information on qualifying for this protection, which lasts until the end of 2020, click here.

I know some Iowans like you may still need help paying the rent in the long term, and I am committed to fighting in Congress to provide additional relief for Iowa’s families experiencing financial difficulties – including through extensions of this eviction moratorium, rental assistance, and enhanced unemployment for those still out of work.

An Update on Derecho Assistance from FEMA

Iowa was recently hit by one of the most destructive storms in our history, but I’ve been so proud to see our communities coming together to help our fellow Iowans overcome these difficult times.

FEMA recently announced that Individual Assistance for Polk County in the Third District had been approved – and other resources are available through the state at disasterrecovery.iowa.gov.

I’ve been fighting to get FEMA and USDA assistance approved for areas damaged by the derecho, and want to make sure you have the most up-to-date information on federal programs available for you.

You can find my Derecho Recovery Resources Guide on my website by clicking here.

In Memory of Iowa Kidney Advocate, Introducing New Legislation to Expand Insurance

Jack Reynolds from Carlisle, who passed away in May, was a lifelong advocate for kidney disease issues after suffering from kidney failure himself as a young boy 

John “Jack” Reynolds from Carlisle needed decades of treatment for kidney failure stemming from an accident he sustained at age 4. But Jack’s health condition inspired him to pursue a lifetime of advocacy for expanded coverage for others living with kidney disease.

I had the opportunity to meet Jack in Washington prior to his passing in May 2020, and it’s my distinct honor to help carry the torch forward on one of his top priorities by introducing the Jack Reynolds Memorial Medigap Expansion Act.

For someone like Jack who had kidney disease from a young age, access to dialysis was critical – but without insurance, the cost of treatments can be too far out of reach. This bill opens up existing insurance coverage options to cover these conditions for anyone who needs it to help thousands of Americans live longer without causing financial ruin.

Learn more about the legislation by clicking here.

Continuing to Push for Additional COVID-19 Relief to Help Iowans Still Struggling

Every single day, I see reminders that the need for additional COVID-19 aid continues to grow. Thousands of Iowans are still out of work, worrying every night about how they can make ends meet and keep food on the table. Our schools and small businesses need the support to keep their students and patrons safe. Our local governments, who have been on the front lines of responding to natural disasters like the derecho and deepening drought, are facing financial crises as well.

As Congress returns to session this month, I’m pushing to get a straightforward and streamlined package of COVID-19 aid passed through the House to get us one step closer to compromise on a deal we all know we need.

I wrote directly to Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week, urging her to bring up a bill that sheds unnecessary and unrelated spending and demonstrates to the White House and the American people that we are willing to compromise to get a deal done. Iowans who are in trouble cannot afford any further delays.

Thank you, 

Cindy