As your member of Congress, one of my top priorities is ensuring that the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which I supported in the House, is being implemented properly. This legislation provided $2 trillion in direct relief for individuals, small businesses, and our healthcare workers who are on the front-lines of combating this invisible enemy.
Here’s an update on the status of programs authorized under the CARES Act:
Economic Impact Payments
Many Americans have already received their one-time Economic Impact Payment directly in their bank account. If you have not received yours yet, you can determine your eligibility and check the status of your payment using the IRS portal.
If you don’t normally use direct deposit or file taxes, you can provide the IRS with your bank information so you can receive the payment through direct deposit, rather than waiting for your check in the mail. For more info visit: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments
Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans
The Paycheck Protection Program was developed in a bipartisan and bicameral way to help save jobs and support small businesses during this crisis by providing eight weeks of immediate cash-flow assistance. Demand has been high: More than 1.6 million emergency loans have been processed for small businesses, including about 30,000 for businesses in Georgia. Unfortunately, funding has officially run out for both the Payment Protection Program as well as the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans and we need additional money for this program now.
Now Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Democrat leadership are holding funds hostage in an attempt to push forward their socialist agenda. This is unacceptable for our small businesses depending on these loans to stay afloat. I will keep fighting for this vital relief.
If you are a small business owner who has been unable to receive PPP funds but could use this money to keep employees on payroll and your business afloat, share your story here.
As long as Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer continue to play political games with the livelihood of American families and the small businesses who employ them, they need to hear the stories of the economic and human hardships their partisanship will cause during these unsteady times.
Funding for Rural Hospitals
Our dedicated medical professionals – including doctors, nurses, sanitation staff, and administrative staff, among others – are working tirelessly to treat COVID-19 patients and keep our communities safe.
In the midst of this pandemic, it’s crucial we remember our rural hospitals and the vital role they play, including those in Georgia’s 12th District. Many small and rural hospitals are facing a financial crisis and need access to financial assistance immediately. In the CARES Act, we gave the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) the flexibility to direct assistance where it is needed most. That’s why I recently joined over 120 of my colleagues in a letter to Secretary Alex Azar requesting rural hospitals be made a priority at this time. You can read our letter here.
Do you have a question about the coronavirus or the CARES Act? Email me!
SHOPPING TIP: As grocery shopping remains a necessity during this pandemic, many people have questions about how to shop safely. While there is currently no evidence of food packaging being associated with transmission of the coronavirus, the FDA put together a list of shopping tips to help protect yourself, which you can find here.
As always, my office is here to help. You can email me ⇒ HERE, contact any of our offices or join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Sincerely,
Rick Allen
Member of Congress |
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