Dear Neighbor,
We're all flooded with updates about coronavirus, and the situation changes constantly. But people have sent me many questions about local resources and questions about state policy in the past few days. Here are some responses; please stay in touch with other questions and suggestions. I will keep this updated, so please continue to check back. Remember to subscribe to my newsletter for new info right in your inbox. You can also catch up on recent newsletters from the archive.
Resource Guide
The number of resources, funds, grants, and other aids keeps growing thanks to the truly inspiring collective efforts and leadership of our communities and networks, personal and professional. To keep everything in a centralized and more navigable place, one of my wonderful interns has compiled a list that we will keep updated, available here.
If you have lost your health insurance, you can apply for insurance through the Health Connector up to May 25. The Health Connector is a state agency that makes coverage available to people who recently lost their insurance from their employer. Most people who apply through the Health Connector can get a plan for a low monthly cost, and some people even qualify for a $0 monthly payment.
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, extended enrollment for July coverage is available through May 25 for qualified Massachusetts residents who are uninsured. For June coverage the deadline is May 23. For more information see https://www.mahealthconnector.org/covid-19
When you fill out an application online, you’ll find out right away if you qualify for a health plan from the Health Connector or coverage through MassHealth.
Some people are worried about applying for coverage because of their immigration status. The following are not taken into account in a public charge determination: emergency Medicaid (MassHealth Limited), MassHealth for pregnant women or children under 21, and Advance Premium Tax Credit through the Health Connector.
Loss of health insurance coverage that meets minimum standards resulting from job loss is considered a qualifying life event year-round and will always open a special enrollment period for an eligible resident.
The Health Connector also has a temporary premium deferral program that allows individual and small employer members to hold off on making premium payments until a later date.
COVID-19 testing will now be available at CHA Somerville Hospital to CHA patients and all residents of Somerville. For now, it is only drive thru at the Crown Street testing set-up and you will need to make an appointment M-F 9AM to 4 PM. More information is available on the CHA website: https://www.challiance.org/help-center/covid-19-alert
COVID-19 TESTING FOR CAMBRIDGE/SOMERVILLE RESIDENTS
Cambridge Health Alliance offers free COVID-19 testing for their patients, and for residents of Somerville and Cambridge by appointment only:
CHA patients with symptoms: call your primary care center.
Cambridge, Everett, Malden and Somerville residents: call 617-665-2928 (Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.).
Cambridge, 163 Gore Street Tent: CHA Patients and Cambridge residents
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Somerville, Crown Street Tent:
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m: CHA patients, Somerville residents, and
CHA employees/first responders
Saturday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m: CHA Patients with symptoms and CHA employees/first responders
You can come in a car, on bicycle or on foot. If coming by car, please keep your windows rolled up. No children under 8 years of age. Please bring a picture ID.
Results will be available in 5 days after you are tested.
Somerville Media Center Virtual Town Halls
Tune into Somerville Media Center on Facebook, on their website or on SCATV (check cable listings) for 30 min “Virtual Town Halls” I have been doing with the Somerville State Delegation. We hope to do these regularly with information about the State response to COVID-19. Send us your questions, we want to make sure we are using these to get best information out.
State Updates
On May 18th, the governor announced his re-opening plan.
There are a lot of unanswered questions in the current re-opening plan, I am encouraging folks to submit their concerns here: https://www.mass.gov/forms/submit-questions-and-comments-about-reopening-massachusetts. The legislature will continuing to do what it can but the governor has a lot of power in this process and the more his folks hear concerns from people in MA the more likely it will be we get this right for more people.
Senators saw a presentation on re-opening yesterday and you can read the slides here: https://www.mass.gov/doc/reopening-massachusetts/download
I believe that data collection, testing, and contact tracing need to be crucial pieces of any re-opening strategy as well as maintenance of social distancing until we can significantly lower the risk of infection. I thought the American Industrial Hygiene Association had some good potential guidelines for businesses getting ready to re-open, let me know what you think! https://www.backtoworksafely.org/
After weeks of work in the legislature, on Monday, April 20, the Governor signed the eviction and foreclosure moratorium bill, ensuring that Massachusetts has the strongest tenant and property owner protections in the country. I have heard from so many of you about how important and needed these protections were and all of your advocacy was so important. The new law protects the people of Massachusetts, especially those who have had their income interrupted by:
Stopping landlords from issuing Notices to Quit
Stopping courts from hearing eviction cases or entering judgements
Stopping sheriffs from enforcing executions for possession
Stopping late-fees and reporting for COVID-impacted tenants
Implementing a moratorium on residential forclosures
Offering a forbearance program for mortgages impacted by COVID
Giving landlords access to last month rents to cover expenses
Implementing a moratorium on small business evictions
Remember to check the resource guide, your city information page, or reach out to my office if you need help with housing stability.
There remains discussion and development of the list of essential services that are still operating. One change we were able to work with the Baker Administration to make is for support services for the deaf-blind.
There's so much information, constantly evolving. To keep up with government actions, a good resource is Senate President Karen Spilka's page.
Unemployment Updates
The state's Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development has worked very hard to keep up with the increased number of claims as well as with changing eligibility. They have increased the number of workers from 50 to over 500. It must have been an extraordinary effort reassigning or hiring new staff, training them remotely, getting them computers and internet hot spots in some cases.
They are also offering daily Unemployment Town Halls Tuesday through Friday to walk filers through a step-by-step process that will result in a successful unemployment claim and to take questions from claimants. To participate, register for a specific call and the department will send access information. Individuals can also just follow along with the presentation -- but not be able to ask questions other than through the web conference's chat function -- online. You can also apply for unemployment benefits on this website. Step by step instructions can be found here y en español aquí.
DUA has launched a Spanish language unemployment benefits application. Access the new application portal here: mass.gov/desempleo. Portuguese, Haitian Creole, Chinese, Vietnamese and additional languages will be rolling out in the coming days.
Why does it take so long to get a call back from UI?
Some of the problem is that the system is overwhelmed, despite adding over 500 new staff to the virtual call center. But another problem is that return calls come up as BLOCKED NUMBER – people need to answer this phone call to receive assistance – DUA is working from home just like rest of state.
Password reset can now occur without a call to DUA – all online.
And if you still have trouble, Rachel Clinton, my constituent services director can try to help you get through: rachel.clinton@masenate.gov or 617-722-1578
Re-Cap of changes the legislature and the administration have made:
Eliminated the one week waiting period
Eliminated job search requirement
Extended benefits to 30 weeks for workers when unemployment spikes rapidly in the state
Lifted the cap on benefits for dependent children.
Eliminated penalties for businesses that participate in the unemployment insurance system as a result of the pandemic
Gave non-profits a 120-day grace period on their next payment into the system
CARES Act
The CARES Act provides:
An additional 13 weeks of federally-funded unemployment insurance benefits, to cover unemployment through 2020 for workers who find themselves still unemployed beyond the next four months.
$600 per week, in addition to the amount of unemployment insurance normally paid by states, for the next four months for every American collecting unemployment insurance. This is extremely important, since part-time and low-income workers would otherwise have very low benefits. As of April 9, claimants will start receiving this increase.
Expanded eligibility to cover workers in the gig economy, as well as others who don't normally qualify under their state's programs, including those who are self-employed and those with limited work history
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
Self-employed, gig workers and independent contractors can file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) beginning now. The program has opened 10 days ahead of schedule!
Self-employed people and others who have been waiting to claim unemployment can apply here: www.mass.gov/pua
PUA is a program open to the following individuals:
Self-employed individuals, including gig workers, freelancers, and independent contractors
Those seeking part-time employment
Claimants that have an insufficient work history to qualify for benefits
And claimants that have been laid off from churches and religious institutions and are not eligible for benefits under state law
We hear that the application system is much better designed than the one for regular UI claims, so you may have less trouble getting signed up. Please let me know how it works!
Small Business Updates
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
One of the most popular programs created by the CARES Act is The Paycheck Protection Program, designed to incentivize small businesses to keep workers on the payroll. Loans are up to $10M, with a 1% interest rate and no payments for the first six months. I love the idea of keeping people working and attached to their employer; apparently small business owners love it too.
This program has received new funding and is open for new applications as of 4/27.
The loans will be forgiven and turn into grants if all employees are kept on the payroll for 8 weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. The program will be available retroactive from February 15, 2020, so employers can rehire their recently laid-off employees through June 30, 2020.
Businesses, non-profits, sole proprietorships, self-employed individuals, and independent contractors, with 500 or fewer employees can apply.
You can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any participating federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, or Farm Credit institution. You can find a lender here. It's probably best to start with a bank you have a relationship with.
Employee Retention Tax Credit
This is another provision of the CARES Act, also designed to incentivize employers to keep employees on the payroll instead of laying them off. It's available for struggling businesses, including non-profits that aren't eligible or choose not to participate in the PPP. Businesses with a drop in revenue are eligible for a 50% refundable tax credit for wages paid to furloughed or reduced-hour employees up to a total of $10,000 per employee. More information here.
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program
The SBA will offer low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Massachusetts small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus emergency. Businesses with fewer than 500 employees, independent contractors, non-profits and self-employed are eligible for loans of up to $2 million. Recipients remain eligible for the PPP, disaster loans, and regular SBA-backed loans.
The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses; for private non-profits it's 2.75% with up to 30 years.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339.
Here's a fact sheet on the EIDL.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance is a Loan Advance of $10,000 that is available to applicants who have been approved for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan; it does not need to be repaid, so you can think of the Advance as a grant for business expenses. If you have applied or intend to apply to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, you can also apply for a Loan Advance. Visit the SBA’s website to submit an application for the Economic Disaster Injury Loan and Loan Advance.
SBA Express Bridge Loan Program
The Express Bridge Loan Program is available to businesses that have an existing business relationship with an SBA-approved lender; speak to your lender about accessing this option while you await a decision on long-term financing.
SBA Debt Relief
The SBA is also offering Debt Relief to small businesses. Under this relief, the SBA will pay the principal and interest for six months beginning March 27th, 2020 for qualifying new and current holders of 7(a) loans. Reach out to your SBA lender to discuss how this debt relief applies to your loan. This debt relief is available only to 7(a) loans and not to loans made under the Paycheck Protection Program, 504 loans, or microloans.
State resources for small employers:
Unemployment Assistance's WorkShare program can help employers avoid layoffs. Employees work reduced hours while collecting unemployment benefits to supplement their lower wage
MassHire is offering a Rapid Response program, which works closely with companies to avert layoffs and keep a skilled workforce engaged in the existing regional economy or industry.
Here is the state's guidance and resources page for small businesses.
Massachusetts is postponing the collection of regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes that would be due in March, April and May so that they will instead be due on June 20. All penalties and interest that would otherwise apply will be waived.
Businesses that paid less than $150,000 in regular sales plus meals taxes or room occupancy taxes in the year ending February 29 will be eligible for relief for those taxes.
Sick Leave Updates
On Thursday March 19, Pres. Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which establishes a federal emergency paid-leave benefits program for some employees.
It requires employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide two weeks' worth of paid sick leave if employees are unable to work because they're subject to quarantine or isolation, are experiencing symptoms of COVID–19, are caring for someone who is in quarantine or isolation and/or have children in schools that have closed.
Employers may first require the employee take 10 days of unpaid leave, which the employee may substitute with accrued vacation, personal, or medical or sick leave. Thereafter, the employee can take up to 10 weeks of paid leave. The employer must pay the employee at not less than ⅔ the regular rate of pay, but no more than $200 a day or $10,000 total. Employers will receive tax credits to offset the costs of providing this paid leave. For those who are self-employed, there will be a tax credit equivalent to the sick leave amount.
Also in the CARES Act: payments to taxpayers
You have probably read that the CARES Act also provides direct cash payments:
$1,200 payments for individuals making up to $75,000 per year and $2,400 for married couples making up to $150,000 per year when filing jointly. The value will decrease or phase out completely for those making over the full payment income cap.
an additional $500 for each child in the family.
The federal government began depositing stimulus payments of up to $1200 per taxpayer in banks on 4/10.
Taxpayers who don't have bank accounts learned that their checks might not come till May, so our Senators Markey and Warren wrote to Sec. Mnuchin asking him to expedite those checks. People without bank accounts are also likely to really need that money!
Also from Sen. Markey: There will be an online tool for quick registration for Economic Impact Payments for individuals who did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 (in most cases, people who earned less than $12,200), and who do not receive Social Security retirement, disability, or survivors benefits. On April 17, the tool will also let you check the status of direct payments, and let you enter direct deposit bank account information if needed.
Help Wanted
People are needed now to work as contact tracers. This is an extremely important job you can do from home, which will be crucial in controlling the spread of the virus.
As I've learned in calls to our district's nursing homes this week, all nursing homes are in desperate need of workers: CNAs (even without final certification), nurses, social workers and others.
long term care workers. You can call a nursing home, or apply online. This includes part-time positions, paid and volunteer opportunities, and the possibility of working in other parts of the state with housing.
Stay well! Stay in touch!
I'll write more soon. Let me know what you'd like most to hear about, and what you think we should prioritize.