Dear Friends,

 

As you may know, Congress passed a sweeping $2.2 trillion relief package late last week as we continue our fight against COVID-19. Not only does it include relief for small businesses, but it also provides critical support for health care facilities and organizations, expands federal emergency unemployment insurance, and puts money back into the pockets of our residents that need it most. It may be far from a perfect deal, but it’s a solid bipartisan step towards keeping Michiganders on their feet as we weather this unprecedented crisis.

 

Below, you’ll find some additional details about what was included in the package:

 

Direct Payments to Working Americans

  • For individuals making up to $75,000 or married couples making up to $150,000 annually, the federal government will issue direct payments of $1,200 per working adult and an additional $500 for each child.
  • The value of the direct payment begins decreasing and then phases out completely as incomes further exceed the full payment cap.

Federal Unemployment Insurance

  • Extends benefits for an additional 13 weeks of federally-funded unemployment insurance for those that qualify.
  • Expands access to federal unemployment insurance for part-time, self-employed, and gig-economy workers.
  • Increases weekly payment amount.

Small Business Rescue Plan

  • Provides loan forgiveness grants to small businesses and non-profits, allowing them to maintain their existing workforce and helping to pay for other expenses like rent, mortgages, and utilities.
  • Offers Small Business Administration (SBA) emergency grants up to $10,000 for immediate operating costs.
  • Covers 6 months of payments for small businesses with existing SBA loans.

Supporting Hospitals and Health Care Workers

  • Supplies personal protective equipment for health care workers, testing supplies, increased workforce training, and resources for emergency health care facilities to house patients.

Student Loan Relief

  • Encourages employers to implement student loan repayment programs for their employees by excluding up to $5,250 in qualifying payments for income tax purposes.

 

There are also many local resources available during these trying times. Please check out the Saginaw County Community Resource Guide by clicking here.

 

Sincerely,

Vanessa Guerra

State Representative, 95th House District