Calling for Universal Mandatory Covid-19 Testing and Presidential Action for Testing Supplies
I believe we have to get as serious as possible about making it safe for workers and customers to come back! In my opinion, the idea of universal mandatory testing would be a good complement to the proposed Essential Workers Bill of Rights, which I support. I signed a joint House-Senate letter in support of that proposal recently.
I also voted April 23 for legislation, which was signed into law, that provides $25 billion in federal funding for testing, and I am willing to vote for more federal funding for testing if needed. I believe this is a case where spending a comparatively small amount up front can save us a lot later, in terms of lives as well as health-care costs and economic damage. Click here to read more.
To tell me about your thoughts on Covid-19 testing, or about trying to get tested, click here to email me.
The city of Philadelphia has a long list of testing sites at this link.
Help with Unemployment Compensation: One of the top Covid-19 concerns my office hears about is unemployment compensation, which is administered by the states. In addition to contacting your state legislators for help, another source of help is Philadelphia Legal Assistance. PLA provides help to people who have been unable to file a claim by phone. PLA assistance does not yet include Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Click here for more information from PLA about unemployment.
Click here for Pennsylvania's website about Covid-19 and unemployment compensation, or click here to check the status of a claim.
Congress Passes New Relief Bill: The new Covid-19 relief law Congress passed last week, which provides $25 billion in federal funding for testing, also provides:
- $75 billion in funding for hospitals and health-care providers;
- $310 billion in added funding for the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses. The new law sets aside a minimum of $60 billion of that funding to be channeled through community banks, credit unions, minority depository institutions and community development financial institutions (CDFIs);
- $60 billion more for the small-business Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, which also provides grants. The new funding provides $10 billion for grants and $50 billion to leverage an estimated $350 billion in loans.
$21.8 Million for Philadelphia Housing: I'm pleased to announce the Philadelphia Housing Authority will receive a $21.8 million federal grant through the CARES Act I voted for last month. The funding will help PHA protect residents by preventing, preparing for and responding to the pandemic.
Housing Resources: You can find information about housing and food assistance in the special Covid-19 section of my website. Click here for the housing and food assistance resources page or click here for the overall Covid-19 section, which also includes links to resources in categories such as: businesses and the self-employed, workers, cash payments, education, filing taxes, seniors, sick and family leave, veterans as well as testing, treatment and scams.
Tip: Try All Caps for Your Street Address on IRS Website: One of the Covid-19 topics my office is asked about most often is how to receive the economic impact payment, also known as a "stimulus check." Here's a tip that may help: If you're having trouble entering your information on the IRS economic impact payment website at IRS.gov, try entering your street address in all capital letters. You can read more about this here.
Staying Informed: To keep up with information and services between these updates, I invite you to follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – including updates on my Facebook and Instagram Stories.
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Sincerely,
Dwight Evans
Member of Congress