Covid - 19

Dear Friends: 

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted us all in ways large and small and I know that many of us cannot wait to put this unprecedented nightmare behind us.

My colleagues in Congress and I are working hard to bring relief to all Americans, especially those who have been laid off, are fearful they will be unable to afford treatment if they become ill or own a small business that is treading water. 

The good news is that there are many resources that are available to District 24 residents that will hopefully help you weather this storm.

I am hopeful that we will soon be able to turn the tide on this horrific crisis, but in the meantime we must all remain vigilant and do our part to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. That means following the advice of public health officials and washing your hands regularly, taking care not to touch your face when outside the house, and avoiding large gatherings. 

Only by taking the necessary precautions and protecting those that face a heightened risk due to age or pre-existing medical conditions, will we defeat this invisible foe. 

 
Sincerely,

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson

Stimulus Checks 

The historic, $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress and signed into law on March 27, provides one-time direct payments to nearly every American, which take approximately four months.

Individuals who earned less than $75,000 in 2019, will be eligible to receive $1,200. An individual who filed as head of household and earned $112,500 or less also will receive $1,200. Couples who filed jointly and earned less than $150,000 will receive $2,400. Households with children under age 17 will receive an additional $500 per child. College students whose parents claim them as a dependent on their taxes are ineligible to receive a $500 payment. Students who work and file taxes independently, however, may qualify.

For individuals who earned more than $75,000, payments will be reduced by $5 for every $100 of income that exceeds the limit. If you're a family of four, you’ll be eligible for a maximum of $3,400.

Individuals whose only income is Social Security or don’t earn enough to file a tax return and disabled veterans who don’t pay taxes will still qualify for a stimulus check.  Individuals who owe back taxes will still receive stimulus payments.  Only those who are in arrears on child support payments may have stimulus payments withheld.   

There's no sign up. The payments, which will be based on 2019 earnings or 2018 earnings if you did not file last year, will be automatic for people who have filed a tax return or received Social Security benefits. Do not call the IRS.  If you have questions, go to this website for periodic updates about the program as they become available.

Checks will be mailed to the address where you last received your tax refund or your last known address. If you received your refund by direct deposit, it will be deposited into that same account. People who have moved recently should notify the IRS as soon as possible.

If you have not filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return, the IRS suggests that you do so as soon as possible so that your most up-to-date information is on file.

Relief for Small Businesses  

The CARES Act provides relief for small business owners. Here are some of the benefits you may be able to access: 

Payment Protection Program (PPP)Loans will provide cash-flow assistance through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans to employers who maintain their payroll during this emergency. If employers maintain their payroll, the loans would be forgiven. 

Small Business Debt Relief Program will provide immediate relief to small businesses with non-disaster SBA loans, in particular 7(a), 504, and microloans. SBA will cover all loan payments on these SBA loans, including principal, interest, and fees, for six months. 

Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Emergency Economic Injury Grants provide an emergency advance of up to $10,000 to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by COVID-19. The advance does not need to be repaid under any circumstance and may be used to keep employees on payroll, pay for sick leave, meet increased production costs due to supply chain disruptions, or pay business obligations. 

Contracting agencies will be able to modify terms and conditions of a contract and also reimburse contractors at a billing rate of up to 40 hours per week of any paid leave, including sick leave. Eligible contractors are those whose employees or subcontractors cannot perform their duties on site or telework due to federal facilities closing because of COVID-19. 

For more information, click here.

Emergency Unemployment Compensation Benefits 

The current maximum benefit for the state of Florida is $275 per week. Under the CARES act, all Pandemic Unemployment Assistance recipients will be eligible for an additional $600 a week. 

Under the CARES Act, until July 31, 2020, an average worker who received a state UC benefit and the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation would have 100 percent of their wages replaced. 

Individuals who are still working but whose hours have been reduced are generally not eligible for UC benefits. However, the CARES Act makes a substantial federal investment in supporting Short-Time Compensation (STC) or “work sharing” programs, which allow employers to make an agreement with the state UC office to reduce hours, instead of laying people off, and then have workers receive partial UC benefits for their lost hours.  

To apply for unemployment benefits, click here.

• Albertsons is reserving two hours every Tuesday and Thursday morning for vulnerable shoppers, including senior citizens, pregnant women and individuals with compromised immune systems.
• Dollar General is dedicating the first open hour of each day to seniors.
• Fresh Market is offering a reserved shopping hour for seniors and the at-risk between 8 and 9 a.m.
• Sedano’s is reserving 7 to 8 a.m. daily to serving seniors and more vulnerable customers.
• Target is exclusively serving” vulnerable guests, including the elderly and people with underlying health concerns” during the first hour of shopping each Wednesday.
• Walmart is opening stores an hour early for customers 60 and older every Tuesday through April 28.
• Whole Foods is serving customers who are 60 and older one hour before opening to the public.

Services for Students 

Although in-person classes are canceled, South Florida students can still receive hot meals at their local schools. For more information for Miami-Dade students, click here.

For more information about free meals in Broward, click here.

Comcast is offering free WiFi via Xfinity hotspots so that students can continue their studies at home during this public health crisis. More information about distance learning and free Internet can be found here.
 
School may be out, but learning is in! Beginning March 30, WLRN-TV will broadcast an at-home learning educational schedule with age-appropriate programming blocks for students in pre-k through 12th grade. These programs, which are aligned to state standards, are free and accessible on WLRN-TV, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 a.m. 

For more information, click here.

• People 65 and older who are exhibiting possible COVID-19 symptoms. To make an appointment, call 305-499-8767.

• First responders and healthcare staff, including police, fire-rescue, medical staff and essential staff that is supporting the management agencies during the novel coronavirus pandemic. You must exhibit COVID-19 symptoms and be prepared to show ID.
• People who are 65 or older with COVID-19 symptoms and who also have chronic conditions. You must show ID.
• Individuals who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and have recently traveled internationally on a cruise or plane or have a compromised immune system. You must show ID.

Broward Health 
The address of the Pompano Beach test site will be disclosed to those who make an appointment. Testing Hours: By appointment only

Who can be tested?

• Individuals must receive a written prescription from a physician and then call 954-320-5730 (open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) to register for a test. Those who qualify must provide a photo ID, the prescription and the registration confirmation number when they arrive at the site.

C.B. Smith Park (Florida National Guard partnering with Memorial Healthcare System, 900 N. Flamingo Rd., Pembroke Pines
Testing Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

Who can be tested?

• First responders and health-care staff, including police officers, fire-rescue, medical staff and essential staff who support the management agencies during the novel coronavirus pandemic. You must be exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms and be prepared to show ID.
• People who are 65 or older with COVID-19 symptoms and have chronic conditions. You must show I.D.
• Individuals who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and have recently traveled internationally on a cruise or plane or have a compromised immune system. You must show I.D.

• City of Miami residents, 65 and older. Officials said testing will eventually be expanded to serve Miami residents younger than 65 who are experiencing symptoms.

CDC Fact Sheets 

What You Need to Know about Coronavirus (COVID-19) 
What to Do if You are Sick 
What the Public Should Do 
How to Stop the Spread of Germs

• Miami-Dade State Attorney Price Gouging Hotline: 305-547-3300 
• State Attorney General Price Gouging Hotline: 1-866-966-7226

• Protective masks used to protect you from others if you are sick
• Sanitizing and disinfecting supplies, like hand sanitizer, wipes, surface cleaning supplies and all commercial cleaning supplies
• All personal protective equipment, including gowns, booties, gloves and other protective gear.