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Dear Friends,
The COVID-19 public health and economic crisis has hit hardest those with fewer resources including those relying upon our public housing.
In March, I voted to provide emergency grants to public housing authorities because these public officials are on the frontlines helping Arkansans.
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced over $4.7 million in grants to Arkansas Public Authorities to help Arkansans dealing with this pandemic.
This included $853,759 for central Arkansas and is in addition to the $1.25 billion already provided to the state of Arkansas to, in part, help county and local governments.
Anna Reckling is my Grants Coordinator and can help you if you need assistance with federal grants. please call my office at (501) 324-5941.
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Benton Prayer Wall Bringing Hope to Community |
Friday, I recognized the city of Benton in the Congressional Record for the healing and hope promised as part of their Wall of Prayer in the city’s downtown.
Veterans Team Stands At The Ready |
Ensuring that our central Arkansas veterans have access to the care that they have earned serving our country is one of my top priorities as your congressman.
Recently, my veterans' team was able to help the widow of a disabled veteran who was having trouble accessing benefits after her husband’s passing and was struggling with a pending bill from the Department of Defense that she did not know the origin of. After reaching out to our office, we were able to work with the agency to not only drop the bill but to pay $22,898.62 in backpay and benefits that she was owed.
My team of veterans stands at the ready to help their fellow veterans through this trying time. If you or someone you know need assistance with the VA or any government agency, please reach out at Hill.House.gov or call my Little Rock office at 501-324-5941.
| Funds for central Arkansas small businesses |
Little Rock Earmarks $500,000 For Forgivable Loans |
Monday, the City of Little Rock will begin offering forgivable loans of up to $5,000 to small businesses. The city has allocated $500,000 to help our local businesses with fewer than 20 employees weather the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This city-run program is expected to be claimed quickly, so if you are a small business owner who would like to apply, apply as soon as you are able.
To access the City of Little Rock's website for more information on how to apply, click HERE.
| Direct Payments still being sent out to Americans |
Relief Headed to You Soon |
As of May 1, over 120 million people had received their Economic Impact Payment established by Congress in the CARES Act. However, the Department of the Treasury has stated that it expects to send out around 170 million payments, so please rest assured that these payments are still being issued.
If you have any questions regarding your eligibility, how you will receive your payment, or the status of your payment, check the Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) Information Center HERE.
I understand how frustrating it can be to wait for these payments to reach you, especially if you receive an error message, or a message saying that the IRS does not have sufficient information. However, please be patient.
The IRS also noted that it has resolved a reporting error that some taxpayers may have experienced, which inaccurately indicated rejected payments were being sent back to the same taxpayer account a second time. They are actually being mailed to the taxpayers. The IRS has quickly taken steps to correct this reporting error.
The IRS continues to update the "Get My Payment" tool on an ongoing basis to reflect accurate information.
Individuals who receive Supplemental Security Income or veterans benefits and don’t file tax returns should get their payments by early May.
If you are waiting for a paper check to arrive in the mail, the IRS has stated that these will take longer—up to several months—to process.
Learn more about Economic Impact Payments HERE or by clicking on the image below.
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ATTENTION VETERANS AND SSI RECIPIENTS
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VA, SSI Recipients with Dependents Must Act by May 5 |
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a special alert that Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiaries must visit the IRS's "non-filers" tool HERE by May 5, if they didn’t file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 and have dependents so they can quickly receive the full amount of their Economic Impact Payment.
By quickly taking steps to enter information on the IRS website HERE, SSI and VA beneficiaries can receive a $500 per dependent child payment automatically in addition to their $1,200 individual economic impact payment. Otherwise, their payment at this time will be $1,200, and, by law, the additional $500 per eligible child amount would be paid in association with a return filing for tax year 2020.
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PAYCHECK PROTECTION FUNDS AVAILABLE NOW
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Assisting Arkansas's Small Businesses |
This past Monday, with the additional funding provided by Congress, the Small Business Administration (SBA) resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan applications from approved lenders on behalf of any eligible borrower.
I was proud to support this lifeline to families and businesses across Arkansas by voting in favor of the Paycheck Protection Increase Act which secured an additional $310 billion in funding for the PPP.
Programs like the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and the PPP have provided critical relief to families and small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since last Monday, our state has benefitted from 15,454 loans totaling more than $618,440,000 for the hardworking Arkansans whose livelihoods have been impacted by the COVID-19 public health and economic crisis. The PPP loans have helped Arkansas businesses and nonprofits retain their employees and keep their businesses functioning during the current public health crisis.
The chart below outlines the current Small Business Administration (SBA) lenders in Arkansas.
I am also pleased that, after concerns were raised by members of Congress, the Treasury Department issued guidance clarifying that some hospitals owned by governmental entities may be eligible for a loan from the PPP to keep their workers on the payroll. This is especially beneficial for our rural hospitals in Arkansas.
If you need information about PPP loans, please contact me at Hill.House.gov or call my office at (501) 324-5941.
Performing Our Civic Duty |
As we continue to practice safe social distancing, I encourage every citizen to do their civic duty and complete the official U.S. Census.
Article I of the Constitution directs that a Census be conducted each decade. The Census helps local, state, and federal governments their citizens effectively.
This year, you will receive a U.S. Census letter providing you with an ID facilitating the online completion of the 2020 Census for you and your family.
It is my honor to serve as your representative in Congress. If you need assistance my staff and I are here to serve you. Contact me at (501) 324-5941 or at french.hill@mail.house.gov.
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill
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