CONGRESSMAN JOE COURTNEY

SERVING CONNECTICUT’S SECOND DISTRICT

COVID-19 Resource Guide

for Families, Workers, and More
From the Office of
Congressman Joe Courtney

Open for More Information on Direct Payments,

Unemployment Insurance, Help for Renters, Small Business
Loans, Paid Leave, and Much More

FOR MORE INFORMATION on the new resources available

to families, small businesses, workers, seniors, and more, visit
courtney.house.gov.
For more information on all of these resources and much more,
visit my COVID-19 Resource Page online.

HELP YOU CAN ACCESS NOW

Congress has passed 3 bipartisan bills aimed at streamlining resources to families, workers,
health care professionals, small businesses, and others throughout eastern Connecticut.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
Rep. Courtney voted for bipartisan legislation to improve and
expand unemployment benefits, including an additional
$600 per week for 4 months. Apply for those benefits now at
CTDOL.state.ct.us.
Congressional action has greatly expanded access to
Unemployment Insurance, including to people who are self-
employed, gig workers, independent contractors, and others
not traditionally eligible.

PAID LEAVE
The bipartisan Coronavirus emergency relief package signed
into law on March 14 gives most American workers at small
and medium-sized companies from 2 to 12 weeks of paid
leave if they need to take time off because of the outbreak –
whether it’s for themselves or for their children.
For more information, visit courtney.house.gov/COVID19.

DIRECT PAYMENTS
• Individuals making $75,000 or less ($150,000 for joint filers) will receive federal rebates of $1,200 –
the rebate will be gradually reduced for those who make more, up to $99,000 ($198,000 for joint
filers).
• Everyone is eligible for rebate payments as long as they have a Social Security Number.
• That includes Social Security beneficiaries, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, and
veterans.
• These payments are federal rebates, and are not taxable income.
• Many people who don’t typically file, or who haven’t filed in several years, are also eligible. Please visit
IRS.gov in order to submit your information to the IRS so that you receive your economic impact
payment quickly.
• Rebates will be delivered by the IRS – when available, electronic deposit will be used in place of
mailing a physical check.
For more information on all of these resources and much more,
visit my COVID-19 Resource Page online.

Food and Meals Small Business Loans

The bipartisan Families First Coronavirus SBA’s new Economic Injury Disaster
Response Act authorized increased funding for Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance
federal school meal and nutrition programs so per small business and can provide vital
that no one in eastern Connecticut who relies economic support to help overcome
on these programs for food goes hungry. Here temporary loss of revenue.
are some of the resources available federally The new Paycheck Protection Program
and locally to help folks in our community (PPP) was created to provide cash-flow
through this rough patch: assistance to employers that maintain
payroll obligations through this emergency,
School Lunch Distribution including veteran-owned businesses.
The USDA and the CT Department of For more information, visit sba.gov or call
Education approved two COVID-19 Emergency 1-800-659-2955. You can also visit my website
Meal Programs. For more information about for more information at courtney.house.gov,
these programs, and to view the lists, or call my office at 860-886-0139.
visit courtney.house.gov.

Food Assistance and Food Banks

Congress voted to reinvest in the Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Help for Homeowners and Renters
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for
Under the CARES Act, federally backed
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and has
mortgages, including those guaranteed
secured $850 million in supplemental funding for
or insured by the VA, are protected from
The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
foreclosure for 60 days beginning on March
to help food banks facing increased demand.
18. If borrowers are facing financial hardship,
they can request a forbearance for up to 6
New Tax Deadline months, with a possible extension for another
The federal government has moved 6 months, through their mortgage holder.
the tax filing deadline to July 15. You don’t On April 10, Governor Ned Lamont signed an
have to file your return or make payments executive order to enact a series of protections
until then. for residential renters struggling to pay housing
costs during the COVID-19 emergency,
including a 60-day grace period for payment
of rent and protection from eviction for those
impacted by the pandemic, starting on April
20. For more, visit CT.gov.
For more information on all of these resources and much more,
visit my COVID-19 Resource Page online.

HELP WITH BILLS, KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON, AND STAYING CONNECTED
Eversource Energy
Eversource has announced that during the COVID-19 emergency it
is suspending disconnection of service for nonpayment, eliminating
late-payment charges, and offering flexible payment plans.
For more information, visit eversource.com/content/ct-c.
Connecticut Water
Connecticut Water is working with any customers facing financial hardship due to
COVID-19, including setting up deferred payment arrangements or other assistance.
For more, visit ctwater.com or call 1-800-286-5700.
AT&T
AT&T will not terminate service of any wireless, home phone, or broadband residential or
small business customer because of inability to pay due to disruptions caused by COVID-19.
For more info, go to att.com or call 1-800-288-2020.
Comcast Xfinity
Comcast will not disconnect customers’ Xfinity internet or mobile services for those unable
to pay their bills due to COVID-19. Visit xfinity.com/prepare to learn more.
Cox Communications
Cox will not terminate service to any residential or small business customer because of
an inability to pay bills due to COVID-19. It will also waive late fees, and will keep hotspots
open to help keep the public connected.
For more info, visit cox.com/residential/home.html or call 1-844-221-3930.

NEW SUPPORT FOR EASTERN CONNECTICUT

Support from the CDC
So far, Connecticut has received $12.4 million in emergency federal funding through the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support relief measures related to the COVID-19
pandemic.
Cash Flow for Small Businesses
To help small businesses weather this storm, more than $2.9 billion in federal funds have
been provided by the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) so far to give employers in
eastern Connecticut access to immediate cash flow with flexible uses.
More Than $1 Million from HUD
Eastern Connecticut has received more than $1 million in newly authorized federal grants
from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which will help with
everything from building new testing facilities, to acquiring critical supplies, and more.
Support for Our Health Care System
So far, our communities have received more than $1.8 million in federal grants from the
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to help our health care professionals get the
supplies they need.
Education and Childcare Support
Following passage of the bipartisan CARES Act, Connecticut has received more than $23.6
million to support childcare and early child development; elementary, secondary, and higher
education relief; and more.
 FOLLOW CONGRESSMAN
JOE COURTNEY ONLINE:
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courtney.house.gov user/RepCourtney repjoecourtney

3 Major Bills to Provide Resources

Congress has passed 3 bipartisan bills to put more resources Contact My Office for Answers
in the toolboxes of American families, workers, health care or Assistance
professionals, small businesses, and more.
There are many new resources
The CARES Act
available for families, workers, small
• Authorized federal rebates of $1,200 per adult, and $500 businesses, and others in eastern
per child
Connecticut following Congress’
• Expanded Unemployment Insurance to 13 weeks, plus an bipartisan authorization of 3 major
extra $600 per week economic stabilization bills to
• Authorized $367 billion in forgivable loans for small respond to COVID-19. My office is
businesses here to be a resource for you and
• Authorized $130 billion more for hospitals to procure the people you care about.
resources and training
• Provided $150 billion in state, local, and tribal stabilization Reach Congressman Courtney directly
funding
The Families First Act
at any of the following district offices:
• Provided up to 10 days of emergency paid sick leave for Norwich Office
COVID-19-related reasons 55 Main Street, Suite 250
Norwich, CT
• Enhanced and greatly expanded Unemployment Insurance 860-886-0139
• Increased Medicaid funding
Enfield Office
• Ensured FREE COVID-19 testing for all Americans 77 Hazard Avenue, Unit J
• Expanded food assistance programs for mothers, children, Enfield, CT
and seniors 860-741-6011
The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Washington Office
Appropriations Act 2332 Rayburn HOB
• More than $3 billion for the research and development of Washington, DC
202-225-2076
vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics
• $2.2 billion in public health funding for prevention,
preparedness, and response
For more information, make sure to
• Nearly $1 billion to procure pharmaceuticals and medical
supplies to support Community Health Centers, and to visit my COVID-19 Resource Page
improve medical surge capacity online at courtney.house.gov.