Coronavirus Update From Congressman Robert Aderholt

Families

• Families and individuals are going to receive immediate financial assistance, broken down by income:  
  • The full credit amount ($1,200 individuals, $2,400 couples, $500 for children) is available for individuals with income at or below $75,000 ($112,500 for heads of household), and couples with income at or below $150,000. And if you have children, you will receive an additional $500 per child
• $3.5 billion for childcare services
• $900 million for Low Income Home and Energy Assistance Program

Small Businesses

• $349 billion in funding for a provision to create a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that will provide small businesses and other entities with zero-fee loans of up to $10 million. Up to 8 weeks of average payroll and other costs will be forgiven if the business retains its employees and their salary levels.
• $1.5 billion for Economic Adjustment Assistance, which will provide small businesses with capital
• $562 million for the Small Business Administration to administer Economic Injury Disaster Loans
• $50 million to help small and medium-sized manufacturers recover
• 501(c)3 non-profits are eligible for 7(a) loans
• Employee Retention Credit will provide a refundable payroll tax credit equal to 50% of up to $10,000 in wages per employee paid by employers
• Employers with 100 or fewer employees – all wages qualify for the credit no matter what

Community

• $500 billion for the Treasury’s Exchange Stabilization Fund to provide loans, loan guarantees, and other investments to assist severely distressed sectors of the American economy.
• $150 billion for the Coronavirus Relief Fund to provide aid to state and local governments
• Churches that are registered as 501(c)3 nonprofit are eligible to receive funds under the Paycheck Protection Program
• $36.1 billion for the Department of Transportation to keep airports, transit systems, and passenger rail safe and operational.  
• $31 billion for K-12 schools, colleges, and universities
• $15.8 billion for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
• $8.8 billion for Child Nutrition
• $5 billion for Community Development Block Grants
• $4 billion for Homelessness Grants
• $1.5 billion for Economic Assistance Development Grants
• $100 million for Emergency Management Program Grants

Hospitals/Healthcare Services/First Responders

• $100 billion for hospitals (including our rural ones) and other health care providers
• $1.5 billion for CDC Funding for State Public Health Departments
• $1.1 billion for grants to emergency managers, firefighters, and state and local law enforcement
• $425 million for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• $200 million for Emergency Food and Shelter Grants

Broadband

As you may recall, I sent a letter to President Trump last week asking that funds be included in this stimulus to address rural broadband.  I’m excited, and appreciative, that money will be allocated in every category I requested.

• $340 million for rural broadband:
  • $200 million for FCC’s Connected Care Pilot Program
  • $100 million to provide financing for rural broadband through the ReConnect program
  • $25 million for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine programs
  • $15 million for Rural Telehealth Programs LHHS & HRSA

Agriculture

• $14 billion replenishment of the Commodity Credit Corporation
• $9.5 billion for farmers and ranchers affected by COVID-19

Veterans

• $19.6 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, to be used for the following:
  • $14.4 to expand in-patient care and purchase test kits
  • $2.15 billion to expand telehealth
  • $2.1 billion for veterans receiving care for Coronavirus from community providers
  • $606 million for the VA to expand bed space and prepare temporary facilities
  • $150 million for state veteran homes to help them serve more patients
  • $2.8 million to support Armed Forces Retirement Homes