April 8th, 2020
Dear Rev. Yang, Min Seok,
I hope this finds you and your families safe and healthy. Like many of you, I am home with two young boys, trying my best to strike a balance between being a working mom and a teacher, providing support for my family, and keeping them healthy. As this pandemic continues to impact each and every one of our lives, I know many of you have questions, concerns, and fears, about how we will endure and recover.
That is why I wanted to take some time to answer important questions that I and my staff have been frequently hearing regarding resources and government assistance available to you and your families during this difficult time.
No matter what, we must work together to avoid the spread of coronavirus in our community. We can start by following Governor Cuomo’s PAUSE order, that directs all non-essential workers to stay home during this time. You can find more information on this order on the Governor’s website here.
For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at coronavirus.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I get my rebate check from the government?
Very soon. The CARES Act, passed into law on March 21, provides payments of up to $1,200 per adult and $500 per dependent child to help alleviate the financial burden caused by the coronavirus. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is working to distribute the first round of these payments in mid-April, likely the week of April 13 through direct deposit. Please see more information here.
I am on Social Security. Will I also get a rebate check?
Yes. Social Security beneficiaries will automatically receive these payments as a direct deposit or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their benefits, in a second round of payments in late April. Please see more information here.
I got a call asking for my bank information in order to get my rebate check. Should I give them this information?
NO. These calls might be related to identity fraud or tax theft. The IRS will NEVER call or email you and ask for your personal financial information. Please rely on IRS.gov for accurate information regarding your cash assistance check.
If you receive a suspicious call or email, you can forward it to phishing@irs.gov. Please see more information here.
I lost my job or my work hours have been reduced due to the coronavirus. Can I get unemployment benefits?
Yes. You can go to http://labor.ny.gov/signin or call at 1-888-209-8124 to apply. Please see more information here.
I am usually not eligible for unemployment benefits. Have things changed?
Yes. The CARES Act expanded unemployment benefits to workers not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits: those who are self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work history and others. You can check your eligibility with the NYS DOL here and visit http://labor.ny.gov/signin or call at 1-888-209-8124 to apply. Please see more information here.
I called the New York State Department of Labor and I can’t get through to someone. What should I do?
The New York State Department of Labor (NYS DOL) is experiencing extremely high call volume right now. They have hired more staff and are working to improve their technology to handle this large call volume. Please know that you will not lose any of your benefits due to delays in reaching the NYS DOL. I encourage you to contact your NYS Senator or Assemblyperson.
I have a question about how I can protect myself from the virus. Who should I contact?
You can contact my office or the New York State Department of Health.
I need help accessing mental health services. Who should I contact?
This is a very challenging time. If you need help, I encourage you to call the New York State Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314.
I am suffering financially and cannot pay rent. Who should I contact?
New York has implemented a 90-day moratorium on evictions for residential and commercial tenants. The New York State Housing Department has more resources here. See more information here.
I need help getting access to food. Who can I call?
Please call the New York City Emergency Food Hotline at 866-888-8777. If you are a senior citizen, you can also call the New York City Department for the Aging at 212-AGING-NYC. You may also call 311 to get assistance from the City of New York.
I want to help my community. Where can I find that information?
Thank you for your compassion – our willingness to help our community is very important during this time. I encourage you to contact Help Now NYC, where you can find more information about volunteering.
My small business is suffering because of coronavirus. What help can I get?
You can apply for an Economic Disaster Injury Loan (EIDL) – which was made available to small businesses due to legislation I introduced in the first coronavirus relief package. These loans provide assistance for businesses to be used in an emergency.
You can also apply for the Paycheck Protection Program – a new loan program under the recent CARES Act created for small businesses, eligible nonprofits, self-employed, and gig economy workers to forgive loans for employers who maintain payroll.
Small businesses seeking SBA disaster loan relief are first encouraged to contact a representative from the New York Small Business Development Center (SBDC). For businesses located in Queens, you can email Queens College SBDC at sbdc@qc.cuny.edu, LaGuardia SBDC at sbdc@lagcc.cuny.edu, or York College SBDC at sbdc@york.cuny.edu.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/
Additional Resources
Please know that I am continuing to stay in frequent contact with our local, state, and federal leaders to make sure you have the most up to date information. I have created this resource guide with information accessing government assistance and you can contact me with your stories or requests for assistance on my website or by emailing me.
For more information on Unemployment Insurance, please see my fact sheet here.
For more information on the rebate, please see my fact sheet here.
For access to small business support, you can visit my website or my resource guide.
Please know that I am with you all in spirit during this unprecedented health crisis. I will continue to represent the needs of my constituents in the fight for future relief packages. I will always stand with you and our community.
If you need assistance, please email: NY06casework@mail.house.gov or call:
- 202-590-0442 (English)
- 202-577-5182 (Mandarin)
- 202-420-8819 (Spanish)
- 718-358-6364 (all other language callers)
Thank you, and I hope you stay healthy and safe.
Grace Meng
Member of Congress
