Fourth District Coronavirus Resources

COVID-19 is quickly changing our daily lives – from how we work to shopping, schools, worshiping to travel – every aspect of our lives is being touched by the coronavirus pandemic. Below is a one-stop shop on how to protect yourself and your family, help halt the spread of disease, what bills Congress is passing to help aleviate the crisis and how people who are already affected economically by crisis can get the help they need to weather the storm. The CDC now has a COVD-19 newsletter that contains updated guidance. If you’d like to subscribe, you may do so here.

*NEW: We also have prepared a COMMUNITY RESOURCES GUIDE for your convenience.

*NEW: Resources for Disabled

*NEW: When Workers Can Receive Various Existing and New Unemployment Compensation

REP. JOHNSON'S TELEPHONE TOWN HALLS: On April, 16, Congressman Johnson held his third telephone town hall on COVID-19. To listen, click HERE. On Thursday, April 2 at 5 PM, Congressman Johnson held his second telephone town hall on COVID-19. To listen, click HERE. On Monday, March 16, Congressman Johnson held his first telephone town hall on the pandemic with health and pandemic experts to answer participants' questions. To listen, click HERE. Keep up with the latest news on coronavirus @AJC and Georgia Public Broasdcasting.

HEALTH & WELLNESS: Travel tips, businesses & employers, schools & childcare, faith-based organizations

STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND SCHOOLS

DISASTER LOANS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

NEW: C ongressman Johnson's Small Business Guide | *NEW: List of PPP lenders in Georgia

Small Business Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Page 1 | Page 2 |

Businesses affected by COVID-19 can apply online on the SBA website – look in the upper right corner for the apply online link.

FOOD SECURITY

Food Banks in DeKalb County | Rockdale County | Gwinnett County | Newton County

UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

If you or a loved one has recently been laid off from work, you may be able to file for Unemployment Insurance through the Georgia Department of Labor. For more, click HERE.

LEGISLATION

H.R. 6074, Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act | H.R. 6201, Families First Coronavirus Response Act | CARES Act | Supplemental | Heroes Act

COVID-19 VA INFO FOR VETERANS

U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs

*NEW: Recipients of VA benefits will automatically receive automatic Economic Impact Payments

AVOID COVID-19 SCAMS

Officials warn of financial fraud linked to COVID-19 | National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors: provides consumers with information to avoid scams, tips on who to contact regarding health claims/questions, as well as how to find licensed, knowledgeable, ethical individuals to assist with financial security planning.

USDA Warns of Scams Targeting SNAP Recipients: Be on the lookout for potential scammers using the COVID-19 situation to steal personal information. If SNAP participants are unsure if a request for information is legitimate, USDA advises they contact their local SNAP office.

UPDATES FROM THE IRS

Treasury, IRS launch new tool to help non-filers register for Economic Impact Payments

*NEW: "Get My Payment" Web App Launched for Americans to Submit Direct Deposit Information and Track Payments

*NEW: Treasury, IRS launch new tool to help non-filers register for Economic Impact Payments

The due date for 2019 federal income tax returns is extended from April 15, 2020 to July 15, 2020.

Gain the knoweldge on what you need to know about Economic Impact Payments:

The IRS will make about 60 million payments to Americans through direct deposit in mid-April (likely, the week of April 13th). The IRS has direct deposit information for these individuals from their 2018 or 2019 tax returns. About 3 weeks after those deposits are made (the week of May 4th), the IRS will begin issuing paper checks to individuals.
The paper checks will be issued at a rate of about 5 million per week, which could take up to 20 weeks to get all the checks out.
For more, click HERE.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, banks and lenders have been instituting financial relief programs related to foreclosures and evictions.

With the exception of vacant or abandoned properties, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are providing immediate relief to renters and homeowners by suspending all foreclosures and evictions until the end of April.

HOUSING HELP

If you or your family member is having an issue with your mortgage during the crisis?

Please contact your mortgage company and explain their circumstances. Those with limited or zero income, due to pandemic, should ask about a 3 to 6 month forbearance. (the mortgage company will explain…if they ask you, explain that it is similar to a student loan deferment.)

What have the mortgage companies done?

A number of mortgage lenders have already announced how they will offer loss mitigation options to borrowers affected by coronavirus.

Is everyone eligible for these options?

The option can be made available to most customers not already in arrears. Lenders are offering customers who were up-to-date with their mortgage payments, prior to the pandemic, the ability to self-certify if they need help. (Most will not report a past-due status for the account to the consumer reporting agencies.)

Fast facts about a forbearance:

 Temporarily suspends or reduces your regular mortgage payment.

 Assists homeowners with short-term challenges.

 Gives you an active role in the process.

 May reduce negative credit impact in the future.

Treasury is Delivering Millions of Economic Impact Payments by Prepaid Debit Card

Debid card

WASHINGTON— This week, Treasury and the IRS are starting to send nearly 4 million Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) by prepaid debit card, instead of by paper check. EIP Card recipients can make purchases, get cash from in-network ATMs, and transfer funds to their personal bank account without incurring any fees. They can also check their card balance online, by mobile app, or by phone without incurring fees. The EIP Card can be used online, at ATMs, or at any retail location where Visa is accepted. This free, prepaid card also provides consumer protections available to traditional bank account owners, including protections against fraud, loss, and other errors.

“Treasury and the IRS have been working with unprecedented speed to issue Economic Impact Payments to American families. Prepaid debit cards are secure, easy to use, and allow us to deliver Americans their money quickly,” said Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. “Recipients can immediately activate and use the cards safely.”

Treasury has already delivered more than 140 million Economic Impact Payments worth $239 billion to Americans by direct deposit to accounts at financial institutions, Direct Express card accounts, and by check. The Treasury-sponsored EIP Card is another method to provide money efficiently and securely to eligible recipients and their families. EIP Cards are being distributed to qualified individuals without bank information on file with the IRS, and whose tax return was processed by either the Andover or Austin IRS Service Center.

Treasury’s financial agent, MetaBank, will mail EIP Cards to eligible recipients beginning this week. Each mailing will include instructions on how to activate and use the card.

The EIP Card is part of Treasury’s U.S. Debit Card program, which provides prepaid debit card services to federal agencies for the electronic delivery of non-benefit payments. MetaBank was selected as Treasury’s financial agent for the U.S. Debit Card program in 2016, following a competitive selection process conducted by the Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service.

To learn more about Economic Impact Payments, click here.

To learn more about the Economic Impact Payment Card, click here.

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Date	Roll Call	Bill	Vote
11/20/2020	227	H.R.8294	Yea
11/20/2020	226	H.R.8294	Nay
11/20/2020	225	H.R.8294	Yea
11/19/2020	224	H.RES.1224	Yea
11/19/2020	223	H.RES.1224	Yea

Fourth District COVID-19 Resources

HEALTH & WELLNESS: Travel tips, businesses & employers, schools & childcare, faith-based organizations

STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND SCHOOLS

DISASTER LOANS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

FOOD SECURITY

UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

LEGISLATION

COVID-19 VA INFO FOR VETERANS

AVOID COVID-19 SCAMS

UPDATES FROM THE IRS

HOUSING HELP

Office Locations

Washington, DC Office

Decatur Office

Recent Votes