Dear Friends,

“As you press on for justice, be sure to move with dignity and discipline, using only the weapon of love. Let no man pull you so low as to hate him. Always avoid violence. If you succumb to the temptation of using violence in your struggle, unborn generations will be the recipients of a long and desolate night of bitterness, and your chief legacy to the future will be an endless reign of meaningless chaos.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martha and I were shocked and horrified by the video from Minneapolis and the death of George Floyd. Thank you Governor Hutchinson and local leaders who are working to maintain calm and provide a safe environment for free speech and protest. Peaceful protesting is fully protected under the First Amendment. Creating mayhem, violence, and looting is not. This destructive behavior is against Arkansas’s values.

economic Impact Payments

Answering Your Questions About Prepaid Debit Cards

I have received many questions about Economic Impact Payment (EIP) prepaid debit cards and wanted to provide some answers.

What do these prepaid cards look like?

Who is getting a prepaid debit card?

Although this may look strange, according to the IRS and the Treasury says prepaid debit cards will go to qualified individuals who didn't provide the IRS with banking information and had their tax return processed at the service centers in either Austin, Texas or Andover, Massachusetts.

Andover covers Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont residents. Austin covers Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas residents as well as residents of a foreign country or U.S. possession or territory, Americans who use a military address (APO or FPO), Form 2555 (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion) or Form 4563 (Exclusion of Income for Bona Fide Residents of American Samoa) filers, and dual-status aliens.

How do I activate my card?

Call 1 (800) 240-8100 (TTY: 1 (800) 241-9100) to activate your prepaid debit card. For cards with more than one name, only the primary cardholder (listed first) may activate the card.

What if my card gets stolen or is mistakenly disposed of?

If your card is stolen or lost, call 1 (800) 240-8100 to report it. The card will be immediately deactivated and replaced. You now may get one free replacement (previously, the fee was $7.50.). The card provider will credit anyone who has been charged the $7.50 fee for the first replacement card.

If the card is just misplaced and you think you'll recover it, you can lock it without deactivating by logging into your account at EIPCard.com, the same site you use to activate your card and check your balance.

And remember: The federal government communicates through mail only and will not call or email you. If you get a call or email asking for information, it's a scam.

How can I get cash using my EIP Card?

There are multiple ways you can access cash using your card such as through an ATM, cash merchant, or from a bank teller.

The easiest way will likely be through an ATM. There’s no fee to withdraw cash at in-network ATMs, but fees may apply if you use an out-of-network ATM. Withdrawal limits may apply. See HERE to find an in-network ATM. If you would prefer through a merchant or bank teller, please refer to the FAQs HERE for more information.

Can I use my EIP Card to buy groceries and make other purchases at stores?

Yes, you can use your card to make purchases at stores accepting Visa® Debit Cards. You can choose to sign for the transaction or enter your 4-digit PIN. You can get cashback at participating merchants when entering your 4-digit PIN for purchases.

Please refer to the material in your Welcome Packet or see your Cardholder Agreement online at EIPCard.com for more information. Point-of-Sale (POS) Transaction Limits Apply $2,500 per transaction and per day (merchant cashback limit may be less). Please refer to the material in your Welcome Packet or see your Cardholder Agreement online at EIPCard.com for more information.

Will the Treasury Department be able to see how I spend my Economic Impact Payment?

No. Under Federal law (the Right to Financial Privacy Act), the federal government is not allowed to ask the card issuer about your card account, and the card issuer is not allowed to give the government information about your card account without your written permission, except under very limited circumstances.

Will using the EIP Card impact my credit score?

No. This is not a credit card and will not affect your credit score.

For more information, please visit www.eipcard.com/faq or call (501) 324-5941 and let us know how we can help.

HOMETOWN HEROES

CAVHS Workers Helping Veterans in Louisiana

Recently, I recognized before the U.S. House of Representatives the staff at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS) for their extraordinary work, and that recognition is now part of the permanent Congressional Record.

In April, during the initial surge of COVID-19, three teams of CAVHS Registered Nurses, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetics volunteered to travel to New Orleans to support their sister facility, the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Healthcare System.

These front-line heroes included Erin Pitchford, Diana Tran, Latoya Johnson, Tonya Filbert, Teri Kennedy, Vickie Mabry, Ellen Shollmier, Linda Tate, Joe Wood, Nicholas Asman, and Michelle Freck.

The staff provided direct patient care in critical areas of the facility, including medical and surgical units. The purpose of this united effort was to ensure the well-being of our veterans who have served our country.

I thank those who deployed, all those who stepped in to fill their shoes back home, and CAVHS for their compassion, clinical expertise, and their commitment to serving our veterans.

Do you know of a Hometown Hero?

Do you know someone in your community or a business who has been going above and beyond to help those around them during the COVID-19 pandemic? If so, I’d like to highlight them. Please contact me HERE.

A New ERA OF American Space Exploration

Manned Spacecraft Takes Flight

My good friend, Congressman Ed Perlmutter, and I were excited about the historic launch of the Crew Dragon spacecraft. We intended to watch together in Washington, D.C., on May 27, but that launch was canceled due to inclement weather.

Congressman French Hill and Congressman Ed Perlmutter preparing for the launch of the Crew Dragon on May 27.

But, on Saturday afternoon, we reconnected on Zoom as the Crew Dragon launched into space with astronauts Col. Bob Behnken and Col. Doug Hurley aboard, marking the first time in nearly ten years since American astronauts were launched from American soil and an exciting new chapter in American space exploration.

To watch our live stream of the event, click HERE or on the image below.

I was proud to see the Crew Dragon dock at the International Space Station successfully on Sunday. I congratulate NASA, SpaceX, astronauts Col. Behnken and Col. Hurley, and everyone who made this mission a success.

Caring for our heroes

May Veterans Wins

Caring for our central Arkansas Veterans is one of my top priorities as your Congressman. They have earned our respect and attention by serving our country and should receive the full benefits they earned by putting their lives on the line for all of us.

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, contact me at Hill.House.Gov or (501) 324-5941.

It is my honor to represent you in Congress. Please contact me at (501) 324-5941 or Hill.House.Gov if I may be of service to you.

Sincerely,

Representative French Hill