Dear Friends,
We are facing an unprecedented health challenge, and we are being called on to adjust our daily lives to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus to "flatten the curve".
It hasn’t been easy, but social distancing and other mitigation measures are working. But we can’t let up. Every day we take precautions to slow the spread, we are saving lives.
What can you do to help?
Continue following the COVID-19 Task Force's guidelines to slow the spread:
- Listen and follow all directions from state and local authorities.
- Avoid social gatherings, especially those with more than ten people.
- Wash your hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your face, and sneeze or cough into a tissue or the inside of your elbow.
- Use pickup or delivery options instead of eating at restaurants or bars.
- Work from home if at all possible. Do not go to work if you feel sick.
- If someone in your household tests positive for Coronavirus, keep the entire family at home and contact your medical provider.
|
|
| Update on Unemployment Insurance Benefits |
The CARES Act included approximately $260 billion in funding for enhanced and expanded Unemployment Insurance (UI) for the many workers who have been impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis.
It created new unemployment insurance programs that are fully funded by the federal government. Those programs are:
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA);
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC);
- Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).
- It also established full federal reimbursement for state “short-time compensation” (STC) programs.
|
PUA provides up to 39 weeks of federally-financed UI benefits to unemployed workers who are ineligible for any other state or federal UI benefit, including self-employed workers, workers who are partially employed, workers with limited work history, and workers who are not able to telework and are not receiving any form of paid leave. All benefits will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services' (AR DWS) Special Instructions for COVID-19 UI:
File online using EZARC HERE between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Sunday through Saturday.
File by phone using the UI Hotline by calling 1.844.908.2178 or 501.534.6304 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The AR DWS is currently implementing a new system based on the newly-released U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) guidelines. Unfortunately, this means that it will be a few more weeks until the AR DWS is able to issue benefits for those applying under these new guidelines. However, these benefits, along with the FPUC $600 payment will be backdated from when the claim was filed.
If you have questions regarding how to apply, the AR DWS has a helpful FAQ page, which you can find HERE.
| Help for the Arkansas Hunger Alliance |
The Paycheck Protection Program in Action |
Excellent news: Arkansas's Simmons Bank has loaned nearly $200,000 to the Arkansas Hunger Alliance thanks to the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which I supported as part of the CARES Act.
This PPP loan, of which about $180,000 will be forgiven because the Hunger Alliance will keep all 17 of their staff on payroll, is essentially a grant and will allow Arkansas’s only statewide anti-hunger organization to continue to serve Arkansas families during this trying time.
The Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance supports food banks and pantries, as well as serves as the lead partner for the No Kid Hungry campaign, SNAP outreach, and advocacy initiatives. Because so much of their operating money comes from events and activities that have now been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the PPP loan funds mean a lot to the Alliance and those they serve.
This loan means that they will be able to assist those who have never considered applying for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and guide them through the process. It means they will be able to continue supporting schools and feeding programs for kids so that Arkansas children will continue to get meals even though programs are closed. This loan means their support team will be able to keep the wheels turning so we can help food-insecure people across the state. And it means that once the COVID-19 public health crisis is over, the Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance will be ready to relaunch their programs to help low-income families learn to cook and shop, to access fresh food, and to continue to advocate on their behalf.
|
ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR ARKANSAS SMALL BUSINESSES
|
Information Regarding the Paycheck Protection Program |
The United States Treasury’s Paycheck Protection Program went live on April 3, 2020. It authorizes up to $349 billion toward job retention and other expenses for the millions of Americans employed by small businesses.
Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, veterans’ organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards. For additional information from the Treasury's website, visit HERE.
Which banks in Arkansas are ready to provide Paycheck Protection Program loans?
The chart below outlines the current Small Business Administration (SBA) lenders in Arkansas.
| Update On Direct Payments for veterans |
One-Time CARES Act Tax Rebate NOT Counted as Income for Veterans Benefits |
As you may know, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) includes the 2020 Recovery Rebate, a one-time tax rebate for qualifying individuals.
These payments will not be treated as income or resources for purposes of determining eligibility for pension benefits under Chapter 15 of Title 38, United States Code, or any other benefit under a law administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
These one-time tax rebates will not be counted as income or net worth when determining eligibility or continued entitlement to income-based VA benefits. Income-based benefits include the veteran’s pension, survivor’s pension, and Parents’ Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).
As always, if you require assistance with the VA or any other government agency, please reach out at Hill.House.gov, or call my Little Rock office at (501) 324-5941.
| NEH GRant for the Oxford American |
Celebrating the Arts and Humanities During the COVID-19 Outbreak |
Central Arkansas is fortunate to be the home of the Oxford American, an award-winning, world-class arts organization focused on arts and writing from or about the South. With their magazine, the Oxford American, they are one of our state’s most far-reaching cultural exports. Today, the National Endowment for the Humanities announced that Oxford American will receive a $350,000 grant.
As we all seek new ways of connection and celebration of our shared humanity in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oxford American's mission has never been more vital.
| New Job opportunities in central Arkansas |
Amazon Building Facility in Little Rock
|
Big news for central Arkansas! Amazon is coming to Little Rock. Mayor Frank Scott Jr. announced that Amazon will be constructing a new location at the Port of Little Rock, which will create new jobs at every stage of the project – from construction to completion.
For more information, click HERE or on the image below.
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill
|
