Dear Neighbor,

Yesterday, April 15, is traditionally Tax Day. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minnesota Department of Revenue has extended the deadline by three months to July 15 to file and pay 2019 Minnesota Individual Income Tax without any penalty and interest. Learn more here.

Unemployment Updates

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced the implementation of a 13-week extension of unemployment insurance benefits. This extension was authorized by Congress in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and is the second of three CARES Act programs that DEED has quickly implemented to help those most in need during the COVID-19 crisis. DEED Commissioner Steve Grove estimates about 8,000 people have exhausted or will soon exhaust their Minnesota unemployment insurance benefits. On top of the $600 additional weekly payments, this extension will deliver more economic security to Minnesotans in this uncertain time.

The final component of the CARES Act to be implemented will provide unemployment benefits to self-employed workers, independent contractors, and others earning a living in the “gig economy” who would not normally be eligible for unemployment benefits. DEED expects to have this program up and running by the end of April, and applications are open now at www.uimn.org.

Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act

After months of work toward a bipartisan consensus, this week the House and Senate both passed the Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act and Governor Walz signed the measure into law. The legislation will ensure that Minnesotans who cannot afford their insulin and are facing an emergency need can access a 30-day supply at their pharmacy for a co-pay of $35. Eligible Minnesotans include those who are uninsured, under-insured, receiving Medicare and do not have access to low co-pays. The legislation also streamlines the process by which Minnesotans can access affordable insulin in the long-term. Insulin manufacturers would participate in the program and could be fined up to $3.6 million a year, doubling in the second year, for non-compliance. 

For people with diabetes, insulin is as crucial to their life as air or water. I was proud to support Alec’s bill and I thank Nicole Smith-Holt, James Holt (Alec’s parents), and everyone else who has shared the urgency with lawmakers to reach this milestone. We will continue our work to ensure all Minnesotans can access affordable, lifesaving prescription drugs.

New COVID-19 Legislative Package

This week the House also passed our fourth package of COVID-19 response legislation. The bill contains several proposals to provide needed flexibility and assistance to Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill helps Minnesotans execute wills, allows local governments to meet remotely, suspends certain deadlines and expiration dates, allows marriage applications to be submitted without the need to appear in person, expands use of telemedicine, gives the Department of Health authority to set up alternative health care facilities, and more. A copy of the legislation can be found here.

COVID-19 Modeling

Last Friday, the Minnesota Department of Health and the University of Minnesota School of Public Health made information regarding their COVID-19 modeling available to the public. Data from these models has driven Governor Walz and his administration’s response to the pandemic. The model predicts the peak of the epidemic (when the highest number of people have the condition), how many people that will be, and when we’re projected to exceed ICU bed capacity.

You can find information, including slides from their presentation and frequently asked questions, here.

Energy Assistance Program Changes

While the weather is getting warmer, many Minnesotans still struggle with heating bills and the COVID-19 pandemic has made these challenges worse. The Minnesota Department of Commerce has implemented some changes to the state Energy Assistance Program’s (EAP) eligibility requirements and application deadlines to help those that may be impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. The application deadline has been extended to July 1, and the annual crisis maximum has been increased to $1,200, up from $600. The EAP can help households pay a past due bill, even without a shut-off notice, and eligibility is now based on the past one month only.

Grants are based on household size, income, and fuel cost, with the average grant being about $500. In addition to the initial grant, funds are available to help pay a past due bill or get an emergency fuel delivery and help repair or replace broken furnaces. For more information on the EAP, visit the Department of Commerce online.

The state COVID-19 dashboard has up-to-date information about the pandemic, and the Minnesota House website’s COVID-19 section has information about steps the Legislature has taken, as well as links to helpful resources. Please feel free to contact me directly if I can be of help. My phone number is 651-296-2228 and email is rep.jennifer.schultz@house.mn.

This continues to be an uncertain time, and we don’t have many answers regarding when things will get back to normal. However, we know what we’re doing is working to flatten the curve and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Please continue to take care of yourself and your family. We will all get through this crisis together.

Sincerely,

Jen Schultz
State Representative