|
Dear San Franciscan,
- For fighting the coronavirus, we fought for and won an historic $200 billion investment in hospitals, health systems and health research, and $150 billion for state and local governments, to give them the resources they desperately need during this emergency.
- For our workers, we secured a massive $260 billion investment in Unemployment Insurance benefits to match the average paycheck of laid-off or furloughed workers. We secured an additional 13 weeks of federally-funded benefits to be made available immediately and defeated Republicans' cruel, last-minute attempt to claw back the $600 in expanded Unemployment Insurance. Proudly, Democrats also successfully achieved full direct payments for workers, ensuring that working class American families will be eligible to receive as much as $3,400 for a family of four.
- For our small businesses, we won a $377 billion infusion of fast relief, including by securing $10 billion for SBA emergency grants of up to $10,000 and making payroll costs, rent, mortgage interest and utility costs eligible for SBA loan forgiveness.
- For our students, we secured more than $30 billion in emergency education funding, paused payments for federal student loan borrowers and suspended wage garnishment and negative credit reporting during this time.
- For our veterans, we secured nearly $20 billion in funding to improve VA's readiness with equipment, tests and additional care.
- For accountability and oversight, we prevented secret bailouts and added special oversight requirements. We must ensure that any taxpayer dollars given to industry go first and foremost to workers' paychecks and benefits - not used to pad CEO bonuses or fund stock buybacks or dividends.
The American people need and deserve a
coordinated, fully-funded, whole-of-government response
to keep them and their loved ones safe from the coronavirus epidemic. Soon, we will take the next steps by passing further legislation that will ensure that our hospitals, health systems, health care workers, state and local governments, workers, retirees and families have the full resources needed to stay health and safe during this crisis.
Congresswoman Pelosi spoke with reporters as the House continues its work to put workers and families first in the fight against the coronavirus.
Education
Most California K-12 schools, colleges, and universities are closing or moving online during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Governor Newsom's executive order
ensures that K-12 public schools will retain full funding, even if they close campuses. For current information about closures and their impact on the school year,
check your local school district
.
California released
guidance to help K-12
education leaders meet the needs of all students affected by school closures, with an emphasis on assisting low-income children and those with disabilities. The California Department of Public Health released
Guidance for Colleges and Universities
.
Californians can apply for unemployment
here
, disability or paid family leave
here
and food assistance
here
.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has declared all California counties eligible.
This SBA declaration makes available
Economic Injury Disaster Loans
to impacted small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and private non-profit organizations.
SBA loans can be approved up to 2 million dollars but are limited to the economic injury determined by SBA. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
Sick or Quarantined
If you are unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can
file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim
. DI provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week.
The
Governor's Executive Order
waives the one-week unpaid waiting period, so you can collect DI benefits for the first week you are out of work. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.
Health care
Health care coverage - including coronavirus testing for people who need it - should be affordable for all Californians.
- All patients with full-service Medi-Cal or commercial insurance in California will have copays, coinsurance and deductibles waived for COVID-19 testing and screening.
- If you don't have health care coverage or recently lost employer-sponsored health care coverage, see the Health Care Coverage Options Factsheet (pdf) to get covered.
- Covered California, has expanded its special enrollment period, which was going to end April 30, through June 30 so that anyone who is uninsured and eligible can sign up.
- Resources for seniors in their county: The California Department of Aging contracts with 33 agencies that coordinate a wide array of services to seniors and adults with disabilities at the community level. Find services in your county here.
Travel
If you are traveling internationally or living abroad, please register for
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
, a free service provided by the U.S. State Department to get the latest update from your nearest US Embassy or Consulate. In addition to contacting the nearest US Embassy or Consulate, if you or someone you know is experiencing an overseas emergency, you can contact 24 hours Consular Emergency line at (888) 407-4747 for the U.S. or (202) 501-4444 outside the U.S.
If you need direct assistance with a federal agency such as the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, please don't hesitate to reach out to my San Francisco District Office at (415) 556-4862 or visit my
website
.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Disaster Distress Helpline provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling
and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters. The number for their crisis counseling hotline is (800) 985-5990.
|
