Schatz Releases New COVID-19 Relief Guide To Help Hawai‘i Families, Workers, Small Businesses Access Federal Resources, Programs

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released a new comprehensive guide to help Hawai‘i families, workers, and small businesses navigate federal COVID-19 relief resources and programs authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act. The resource guide also provides important information on how to access new programs, such as the expanded Child Tax Credit and a grant program for restaurants and similar establishments, including food trucks, caterers, and bars.

“At least $6.1 billion from the new COVID package is headed to Hawai‘i, and our new resource guide will help families, workers, and small businesses access this new relief. If you’ve lost your job, can’t make rent, or need help keeping your businesses afloat, I encourage you to visit our website to learn more about the latest federal resources and programs,” said Senator Schatz. “As more federal assistance becomes available, we’ll keep updating the guide so that you have more information about the relief available to you.”

The guide includes details on eligibility, coverage, and directions on how to access dozens of new and existing federal relief programs ­— including unemployment benefits, direct cash payments, rent and mortgage assistance, tax relief, small business grants and loans, emergency paid sick leave, and more. The guide also includes specific guidance to help seniors, veterans, college students, farmers and fishers, educational institutions, and local governments access federal relief.

The American Rescue Plan Act was passed by the Senate on March 6 and was signed into law by the president yesterday. For a full breakdown of the $6.1 billion in estimated funding for Hawai‘i, click here.

Schatz’s comprehensive COVID-19 federal resource guide will continuously be updated to reflect the most recent information and to help answer frequently asked questions. The full guide, including links to pages about the individual programs, can be found below and is available at schatz.senate.gov/coronavirus.

RESOURCES FOR HAWAI‘I

On March 11, the president signed the American Rescue Plan, a new COVID-19 relief package that will provide at least $6 billion in new federal funding to help Hawai‘i families and local businesses during the pandemic.

• UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE: you could be eligible for expanded unemployment benefits if you were laid off or are unable to work due to the pandemic. Click here to learn more.
• RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS: you could be eligible for federal assistance. Click here to learn more.
• SMALL BUSINESSES: you could be eligible for new relief to help cover payroll and operating expenses. Click here to learn more.
• DIRECT PAYMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS: most people will receive a one-time cash payment of up to $1,400 from the federal government. Click here to learn more.
• HEALTH RESOURCES: new relief and resources are available for individuals, insurers, and providers. Click here to learn more.
• HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS: you could be eligible for several food and nutrition assistance programs. Click here to learn more.
• TAX RELIEF: you may qualify for new tax benefits, including the expanded Child Tax Credit, that are available to help cover financial needs during the public health emergency. Click here to learn more.
• EMERGENCY PAID LEAVE: you could now be eligible for emergency paid leave so that you can stay at home and still earn your paycheck. If you are an employee, click here to learn more. If you are an employer, click here to learn more.
• VETERANS: you could be eligible for new benefits. Click here to learn more.
• LABOR UNIONS: if you're a member of a labor union, you could be eligible for new protections. Click here to learn more.
• SCHOOLS: new relief and resources may be available for local schools and their employees. Click here to learn more.
• INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS: if you're an independent contractor, gig-economy worker, or are self-employed, you could be eligible for new resources to help cover your financial needs. Click here to learn more.
• FEDERAL WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS: you could be eligible for new benefits, including paid emergency sick leave and family and medical leave. Click here to learn more.
• SENIORS: you may be eligible for new protections and assistance programs, including financial relief, retirement savings, tax relief, health, nutrition and support programs for seniors, and housing security. Click here to learn more.
• COLLEGE STUDENTS: you may be eligible for new student loan relief or financial assistance through your college or university. Click here to learn more.
• AGRICULTURE, AQUACULTURE, AND FISHERIES: if you're a farmer or rancher or work in the agricultural industry, the aquaculture industry, or the fishing industry, you may be eligible for new benefits. Click here to view resources for agricultural workers, and click here to view resources for aquaculture and fishery workers.
• BROADBAND ACCESS: the new relief law offers help connecting to the internet for low-income households, households with residents who became unemployed during the pandemic, minority communities, tribal communities, and unserved communities. Click here to learn more.
• NON-PROFITS: if you run a private non-profit, you may be eligible for new benefits. Click here to learn more.
• ARTS & HUMANITIES: groups that support the arts and humanities may be eligible for new relief programs. Click here to learn more.
• STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: the American Rescue Plan allocated billions of dollars in relief funding for state and local governments, including $2.2 billion for Hawai‘i. Click here to learn more.
• FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: financial institutions may be offered temporary regulatory relief to banks and credit unions in order to encourage them to continue to lend to households and businesses, and to modify existing loans for borrowers facing economic hardship.  Click here to learn more.

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