COVID-19 Newsletter #2

UPDATE  #2 ON COVID-19 IN MASSACHUSETTS

3/30/20-4/03/20

The COVID-19 Response Center and the administration are releasing new information daily on cases of Coronavirus in the state. As of Sunday, March 29th:

Total cases in Massachusetts – 4,955 Total COVID-19 related fatalities in Massachusetts - 48 Patients tested in the MA state public health laboratory, commercial laboratories, and hospitals – 39,066

Malden COVID-19 updates

Updates from Governor Baker:

• Stay at Home Advisory - Massachusetts residents are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible, limit outings to essential trips, and adhere to social distancing guidelines.

• All Non-Essential Businesses must close until April 7th. To see which businesses are considered essential, please visit this link.

• All schools and non-emergency child care centers will remain closed until May 4th.

• Governor Baker announced a federal disaster declaration for COVID-19 response.

• To keep up to date with announcements from Governor Baker, please visit this link.

Updates from the Federal Government:

• The IRS announced that anyone making less than $1 million/year will receive a 90-day tax filing extension, moving the deadline to file from April 15 to July 15.

• President Trump announced that he is directing the Secretary of Education to suspend repayment of federal student loans for at least 60 days.

• Congress is proposing a personal stimulus bill that would pay each American $1,200 to help with the COVID-19 outbreak (with some limitations).

Updates from the State Government:

• The legislature passed a bill that would eliminate the one-week waiting period for applications for unemployment. The Department of Unemployment Assistance may no provide benefits to people who have been quarantined, are ordered to leave work, or leave work to take care of a family member.

• Governor Baker mobilized members of the Massachusetts National Guard to assist with the COVID-19 outbreak.

• Schools will remain closed until at least April 7th. No decision has been made yet regarding MCAS testing requirements for this year.

• A loan fund of $10 million has been created to provide financial relief to Massachusetts businesses that have been affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.

• The legislature passed a bill allowing cities and towns to postpone 2020 municipal elections, push back deadlines for voter registration, and increase voting options while Massachusetts is in a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

• The state tax filing deadline has been moved to July 15th.

Important phone numbers and community resources:

Call 2-1-1 to get current updates about COVID-19 related news and announcements in multiple languages.

Text “COVIDMA” to 888-777 to receive text updates regarding COVID-19

City of Malden Resources:

Malden Health Department: 781-397-7000 x 2049

Malden Senior Center: 781-397-7144

Malden Treasurer: 781-397-7090

Malden Veterans' Services: 781-397-7139

Domestic Violence/Crisis Help:

Portal to Hope

781-338-7678

portaltohope@aol.com

Housing:

Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD)

617-357-6000

Housing Families

781-322-9119

Mystic Valley Elder Services

781-324-7705

Food:

Bread of Life

781-397-0404

Fuel Assistance:

Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD)

617-357-6000

Elder Care:

Mystic Valley Elder Services

781-324-7705Other Helpful Links:

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Centers for Disease Control (CDC)

Social Distancing Explained

Social Distancing Video

How to Explain the Coronavirus to Children

For more information regarding programs and resources to help individuals and businesses during this time, please visit my website.

If you need assistance of any kind please do not hesitate to call my office at 617-722-2460, or email me at Steven.Ultrino@mahouse.gov. You may also email my Legislative Aide at Sarah.Gonsenhauser@mahouse.gov.

Remember to:

• Wash your hands diligently for at least 20 seconds with warm water

• Avoid crowds or gatherings over 10 people

• Stay as home as much as possible to limit exposure and potential spread of the virus

COVID-19 Resources for Individuals

State and Local Resources

· Mass.gov/Covid19 is the Commonwealth’s comprehensive landing page for news and resources on the virus. You can also call 2-1-1 to reach the state COVID-19 hotline or text “COVIDMA” to 888-777 for SMS updates from state authorities.

· Malden bulletin and information on the COVID-19 outbreak:

• Malden

· Unemployment resources for those who have just lost their job or had their hours reduced.

· Welfare resources for those struggling to buy food or other necessaries.

· Fuel assistance to heat your home.

· Housing assistance and resources from the Citizen’s Housing and Planning Association.

· Protection against eviction or mortgage default, per the Division of Banks, as well as resources to help make rent.

· For essential workers, establishment of temporary emergency child care programs - and a FAQ.

· Employee rights and employer obligations during the COVID-19 emergency, including some resources for small business operators.

· Resources for health care coverage at MassHealth or through the Health Connector (enrollment has been reopened and extended through April 25).

· Access to telehealth, including full coverage telehealth for medically necessary services related to COVID-19.

· Resources for emotional and mental health.

· Educational resources for parents whose children are unexpectedly out of school.

· Driver’s license extensions, inspection waivers, and other assistance at the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV).

· Relaxation of certain real estate transaction requirements currently difficult to achieve.

· Extensions on terms for professional licenses and particularly for health profession licenses.

· Farmer’s markets, food safety, and other agricultural resources.

· Veterans can still access Chapter 115 benefits by calling their local VSO.

· Veteran's Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255

· MA Dept of Veteran's Services S.A.V.E. Team: 1-888-844-2838

· Homeless Veteran Hotline: 1-888-866-2838

Federal Resources

· CDC.gov/coronavirus is the federal government’s comprehensive landing page for news and resources on the virus.

· Talking to your kids about COVID-19, from the CDC and from the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

· Information on student loans and interest during Covid-19.

· Resources for those in recovery from drug misuse

· Information from the IRS on federal tax filing here and here.

· Resource page from U.S. Senator Markey

Non-Governmental Resources

· Information and tools regarding civil legal issues

· Information on consumer protections.

· Resources for seniors from the AARP.

· Resources for grandparents raising grandchildren.

· Additional food resources for families as well as a food resource hotline: 800-645-8333

· Resources on how to mitigate harm for those who are misusing narcotics.

· Resources for bartenders through the United States Bartenders Guild.

· Flexible cash assistance through the COVID-19 Family Support Fund from the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley.

· Information on access to behavioral health care.

· Information and guidance on social isolation and how to combat it, from AARP

· Resources for immigrants or refugees.

· Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 hotline: (800) 272-3009

· National Domestic Violence hotline: (800) 799-7233; TTY 1 (800) 787-3225

· US Chamber resources for businesses.

· Tipped worker emergency fund.

· Resources for those in recovery from The Phoenix, The Herren Project, and AA.

· Grants and community empowerment events for veterans.

· Programs, services and goods for Massachusetts veterans.

· The Disabled Veterans Department of Massachusetts offers resources for disabled vets.

· American Legion department of MA has resources for veterans as well: 617-727-2966

COVID-19 Resources for Businesses

State Resources

MA Office of Housing and Economic Development

· COVID-19 Resources and Guidance for Businesses (This is the Baker administration’s main landing page for business support during the COVID-19 emergency)

· COVID-19 Essential Services FAQs

· If the function of your business is not listed, but you believe that it is essential, you may request designation as an essential business here.

MA Department of Revenue (DOR)

· Sales and Use Taxes: Due dates for the filing of returns and making payments for sales and use taxes have been changed for some vendors. Review the details of the emergency regulation amendment.

· Room Occupancy Excise for operators: Due dates for the filing of returns, and making payments, for room occupancy excise have been changed for some operators. This does not apply to intermediaries. Review the details of the emergency regulation amendment.

· Meals Tax and Room Occupancy Excise: Late File and Late Pay Penalties will be waived for meals vendors, operators, and intermediaries that do not qualify for the relief mentioned above under “Room Occupancy Excise for operators.” See Technical Information Release 20-2 for details.

· State tax filing deadline: The State tax filing deadline will be extended to July 15th.

MA Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC)

· The MGCC authorized a $10 million fund to provide emergency capital of up to $75,000 for businesses and non-profits with under 50 full-time and part-time employees. Loans are immediately available and no payments will be due for the first six months.

· The first $10 million authorization was depleted during the first week of availability, but the MGCC is expected to recapitalize the fund with an additional $10 million.

MA Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

· Information on Unemployment and Coronavirus (COVID-19)

· The fastest way to file a claim is to apply for unemployment benefits online. If you need help filing your unemployment claim, please use this form to contact DUA.

· The Legislature is discussing additional steps to expand access to unemployment benefits (the one-week waiting period for benefits has already been waived).

· DUA is holding Virtual Town Halls to walk people through filing unemployment claims.

Office of Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey

· Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19: Employee Rights and Employer Obligations

Federal Resources

U.S. Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program

· SBA Disaster Loan Assistance Portal

· Small businesses, private non-profit organizations of any size, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises that have been financially impacted as a direct result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) since Jan. 31, 2020, may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred. Any interested business needs to apply directly to the SBA.

· The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 18, 2020.

U.S. Department of Labor Dislocated Worker Grants

· $100 million in Dislocated Worker Grants (DWGs) available to help address the workforce-related impacts related to COVID-19.

· DWGs will provide eligible participants with both disaster-relief employment and employment and training activities. These participants can include dislocated workers, workers who were laid-off as a result of the disaster, self-employed individuals who are unemployed or underemployed as a result of the disaster, and long-term unemployed individuals.

· The full advisory is here.