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Dear Neighbors,
This week, students, families, and educators across the state began distance learning. This is yet another challenge upon so many others as a result of COVID-19, but I’m inspired that everyone is doing the best they can – without a manual or guidebook – to make this new process work and ensure all of our students can continue their studies. Thank you to all of our educators and support staff for the planning and execution that has gone into making this new way of learning successful.
Unemployment Updates
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in tremendous economic hardship for Minnesotans, many of whom have found themselves displaced from their jobs due to no fault of their own. Many Minnesotans who are self-employed or contract workers in the “gig economy” especially experienced many unknowns as this crisis began to emerge.
As a result of federal stimulus legislation, Unemployment Insurance benefits will soon be available to these workers once our state receives guidance from the U.S. Labor Department. The application process is now available, and here is a guide with instructions on how to apply.
To assist with processing enrollments effectively, there are now designated days for Minnesotans who are applying for Unemployment Insurance benefits for the first time based on the last digit of their social security number. With applications coming in at record numbers, this will ensure displaced workers can get faster, more effective services and the benefits they are depending on. To enroll or find more information, visit www.uimn.org.
Child Care Provider Grants
There are approximately 420,000 children under the age of 12 who live in a household of an essential worker within a critical sector, and about 270,000 of them will need care during this time. In the COVID-19 Legislative Aid package Governor Walz signed into law, lawmakers included $30 million in one-time grants to child care providers. Monthly grant awards start at $4,500. All providers awarded a grant are also eligible to receive an additional $1,000 per month if they meet certain criteria.
Applications for this emergency aid are now available through Child Care Aware MN here.
Census 2020
Yesterday was Census Day. By now, you should have received an invitation in the mail to respond to the census. When you respond, you'll share information about where you live as of April 1, 2020. The count is mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency. Counting every Minnesotan accurately is critical to ensuring our state gets our fair share of federal investments in health care, public safety, education, and billions of dollars of other important resources.
You can respond on your own, whether online, over the phone or by mail – all without having to meet a census taker.
You can access information and support in 59 non-English languages here, including American Sign Language, braille and large print.
DHS Program Modifications
On March 20, Governor Walz issued an executive order giving the Department of Human Services some flexibility to help ensure vulnerable Minnesotans can continue to receive services during this peacetime emergency, including people with disabilities, those with mental illness, and older adults. As the chair of the House Health and Human Services Policy Committee, I think it’s important for members of the public to be aware of these changes. These modifications include:
- Allowing child care assistance payments for two child care providers when a program temporarily closes
- Suspending certain requirements for child care assistance program redetermination due dates
- Suspending some rules to allow continuation of economic assistance
- Allowing telemedicine alternative for School-Linked Mental Health services and Intermediate School District Mental Health services for children and their families
- Waiving recertification process for HIV/AIDS services and drug assistance program
- Allowing phone or internet use for targeted case management visits
- Allowing 90-day refill limits for prescription maintenance medications
- Postponing provider screening and re-enrollment
More details are available here.
Please continue to contact me if I can ever be of assistance. My email address is rep.rena.moran@house.mn and phone number is 651-296-5158. The House of Representatives has a COVID-19 section with information about actions the Legislature has taken, along with links to information and resources. I also post updates to my Facebook page here.
Take care of yourself and your family. We are all in this together.
Sincerely,
Rena Moran
State Representative
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