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Dear neighbors,
I hope you and your family are safe and healthy. Here’s a brief update on our efforts to protect Minnesotans’ health and economic well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as some helpful information and resources:
COVID-19 Update
Last week, lawmakers returned to the Capitol to approve a COVID-19 aid package that will help Minnesotans navigate this public health emergency. The legislation passed with broad bipartisan support and was signed into law on Saturday.
The bill created a new $200 million COVID-19 Fund to enable state agencies to respond to COVID-19 related challenges. It also included help for small businesses, grants for child care providers, funding for food shelves, financial assistance for veterans, and support for tribal nations. You can read more about the bill here.
This will help alleviate some of the challenges that Minnesotans are facing, but there are more issues we will need to address in the coming days, weeks, and months. We will keep working on other important measures, like securing pay for hourly school workers and workers compensation for first responders.
Support for Minnesota Workers
Many businesses are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a result, thousands of Minnesotans are living with reduced hours or unable to work. If your employment has been impacted by COVID-19, I highly encourage you to look into Unemployment Insurance benefits. You can find more information and apply online here.
Staffers at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) are processing more applications for unemployment benefits than they have ever received before. They are asking new applicants to apply on certain days based on the last digit of their social security number. This will help them process applications more efficiently and deliver the benefits that workers are depending on as quickly as possible.
Assistance for Small Businesses
Several state and federal programs have been established to help small businesses affected by COVID-19. DEED’s Small Business Emergency Loan program, for example, is offering interest-free loans between $2,500 and $35,000. More information about this new program is available here. Minnesota businesses can also apply for loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The federal agency is accepting applications for loans of up to $2 million. You can learn more here.
Different programs make sense for different businesses, so DEED put out a guide that lists all of the state and federal assistance available. This information can help small businesses determine which programs might work for them. The guide is available here.
Helpful Information and Resources
The Minnesota Department of Health remains the best source for accurate, up-to-date information about COVID-19. You can visit their website, www.health.state.mn.us, or call a public hotline at 651-201-3920 or 1-800-657-3903. The hotline is open between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.
If you have questions about school and child care, you can visit www.education.mn.gov or call 651-297-1304 or 1-800-657-3504. Child care providers with questions related to COVID-19 should call 1-888-234-1268.
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development has resources for workers and employers. Visit www.mn.gov/deed/newscenter/covid/ to learn more or call 651-259-7114 or 1-800-657-3858.
A list of additional resources is available here. I encourage you to utilize these resources and share them with family, friends, and neighbors.
Please feel free to contact me if you are having trouble finding answers to your questions or accessing services, or if I can be of assistance. The best way to get in touch with me is by email at rep.john.persell@house.mn or by phone at 651-296-5516.
Sincerely,
John Persell
State Representative
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