The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic presents many serious economic challenges for the country and our NY-19 community. Congress and the Administration just approved a third emergency response package which includes critical measures to assist you, your family, and local businesses during this difficult time. Read on below to learn about cash payments to assist low-income and middle-class families, as well as how to access new and expanded unemployment benefits for self-employed and part-time individuals, new loans and loan repayment assistance for small businesses, and disaster assistance payments for upstate farms. 

YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A DIRECT TAX REBATE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

The tax rebates included in the third COVID-19 stimulus package signed into law on Friday will provide $1,200 payments to adults with annual incomes up to $75,000, plus another $500 per child under the age of 17. Married couples with an adjusted gross income of 150,000 will qualify for $2,400 payments, and an additional $500 for each child.

Individuals whose annual income falls between $75,000-$99,000 will receive reduced benefits; the benefit amount is reduced by $5 for every $100 over the aforementioned annual incomes. Individuals making more than $99,000 annually are not eligible for this benefit.

Most individuals will not have to take any action to receive this funding. The IRS will automatically disburse payments to anyone who filed in tax years 2018 or 2019 as well as anyone receiving Social Security or VA benefits. For most Americans, the money will arrive in April via direct deposit. Mailed checks may take longer. The IRS will send notice of your rebate to the address corresponding to your last tax filing. These checks will not be taxable.

You can find more information about this stimulus check here.

FEDERAL PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AND ASSISTANCE

INCREASES BENEFIT AMOUNT
The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program will provide an additional $600 per week to individuals receiving unemployment compensation through July 31, 2020. This is in addition to the state-provided benefit amount and aims to replace 100 percent of wages for the average worker in the United States.

EXPANDS ELIGIBILITY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT
Unemployment assistance coverage is now expanded to include self-employed workers (including gig workers and independent contractors), part-time employees and those with limited work histories, so long as their unemployment is connected to the COVID-19 pandemic.

EXTENDS DURATION OF BENEFITS
When benefits provided by the state have been exhausted, individuals are now eligible for an additional 13 weeks of federally-funded benefits.

To access these benefits, please apply here.

SHORT-TIME COMPENSATION FOR WORKERS WITH REDUCED HOURS

The CARES Act provides $100 million for “work sharing” programs. Employers can make agreements with the New York State Unemployment Insurance Office to reduce hours instead of laying off employees. Workers can then receive partial unemployment benefits for lost hours.

For more information on New York State shared work requirements and eligibility, please visit this webpage.

SIX MONTHS OF SBA LOAN REPAYMENT ON ALL QUALIFIED SBA LOANS

I am proud that the CARES Act includes the Small Business Repayment Relief Act, legislation I introduced to provide critical assistance to businesses in my district with Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. My bill automatically triggers six-months of payment (including principal, interest, and fees) by the SBA on all current and new qualified SBA loans.

No applications required, just immediate assistance for our struggling small business owners.

EMERGENCY ECONOMIC INJURY GRANTS

Independent contractors, self-employed, private non-profits, and small businesses and medium sized businesses with up to 500 employees, including startups, cooperatives, and ESOPs are eligible for a new emergency grant. Grants of up to $10,000 will be provided to eligible individuals within three days of verifying the business’s eligibility.

The purpose of this grant funding is to provide immediate, emergency funding to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.

For information on applying, please contact the local SBA District Office or your local small business development center.
Visit www.sba.gov/local-assistance to find local help.
Visit http://nyssbdc.org/appointment.html to schedule an appointment with your local SBDC.

PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM

This is a new SBA loan program for small businesses to immediately cover up to 2.5 months of payroll during the immediate crisis. Small and medium sized businesses of up to 500 employees, non-profits, independent contractors and self-employed workers are eligible for no-fee loans of up to $10 million, with repayment deferred for at least six months. If the small business retained the same number of employees when they received the loan, up to 100% of the loan may be forgiven.

For information on applying, please contact the local SBA District Office or your local small business development center.
Visit www.sba.gov/local-assistance to find local help.
Visit http://nyssbdc.org/appointment.html to schedule an appointment with your local SBDC.

For additional information on other support is available for small business owners, please find the Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CAREs Act on my website here.

ASSISTANCE TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS:

The stimulus bill also includes $9.5 billion to assist agriculture producers impacted by the coronavirus, including specialty crop producers; producers who support local food systems such as farmers markets, schools, and restaurants; and livestock producers, including dairy. I was proud to advocate on behalf of NY-19 farmers to ensure that the federal government supports them during this difficult time. We will provide additional details about how to access this funding as it becomes available.

For additional information, please contact your local USDA Service Center.

Please know that the safety and wellbeing of you and your family is my main priority. Please feel free to contact my office with any questions you might have about the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Sincerely,

Antonio

CONNECT WITH US

I hope you’ll connect with us soon. We’re always here to help, and you can get in touch with us in the following ways:

• Call 202-225-5614
• Reach out online: Delgado.house.gov/contact/email-me