New Order and COVID-19 Resources
Michelle Stennett
April 16, 2020
GOV. LITTLE COVID-19 STATEWIDE STAY-HOME ORDER EXTENDED!
Governor Little issued a state-wide Stay-Home Order on March 25, 2020, in effect until at least April 15, 2020. The order was not issued lightly and is within the Governor's Emergency Planning jurisdiction. Essential services, including hospitals, grocery stores, gas stations, and pharmacies may remain open.
The Idaho Stay-Home order was extended until April 30th as consistent with the federal dates. Governor Little announced that Idaho's economy and safety of all citizens is paramount. Without the previous measures and extension, we will not be able to keep the infection rates low. The goal of amending the order, hopefully creates a balance between the need to re-open the economy against the need to keep the coronavirus from spreading. He has set guidelines to be used for out of state visitors as well as easing some non-essential businesses to begin to return to work.
Last week, Governor Brad Little signed an executive order forming a new Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC) to oversee the approximately $1.25 billion in federal funds that Idaho will receive to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus of this distribution will go to local governments and taxing districts as well as tribes. The funds are expected to be available on or around April 24.
The utilization of these resources will be tracked through Transparent Idaho, providing public transparency to ensure funds are put towards areas of need. The CARES act specifies that 55% will go towards state expenses and 45% will go towards county, city, tribes and other government districts. The counties and cities have done a great job.
Governor Little will answer questions about COVID-19 during Idaho LIVE on Idaho Public Television Thursdays @ 8:00 pm - 8:30 pm.
CARES ACT TOOLS - Economic Impact Payments
The Treasury and IRS have launched a new tool to help non-filers register for Economic Impact Payments. To help millions of people, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service launched a new web tool allowing quick registration for Economic Impact Payments for those who don't normally file a tax return. The non-filer tool, developed in partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance, provides a free and easy option designed for people who don't have a return filing obligation, including those with too little income to file.
A second tool provides taxpayers with payment delivery dates and an opportunity to provide direct deposit information. The IRS will post additional updates on IRS.gov/coronavirus on these and other issues.
DEFENDING AGAINST COVID-19 CYBER SCAMS
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warns individuals to remain vigilant for scams related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Cyber actors may send emails with malicious attachments or links to fraudulent websites to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or donating to fraudulent charities or causes. Exercise caution in handling any email with a COVID-19-related subject line, attachment, or hyperlink, and be wary of social media pleas, texts, or calls related to COVID-19.
TENANT INFO AND EVICTIONS
The Administration has found reaching out to large apartment complex owners fairly easy, but smaller operators are more difficult to identify and reach. The large operators will have access to government loans. The Governor noted that eviction cases are not a high priority for the courts now, that his Administration has been working with utilities, including cable companies, to keep services in place and that appeals have been made to small and large apartment owners not to evict for nonpayment of rent. The Governor noted that it doesn't make sense to evict right now because it is unlikely an apartment can be re-rented to someone else who can pay rent.
Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition - 7 key principles to ensure just and equitable recovery for low income survivors and their communities
National Low Income Housing Coalition - basic disaster information links
The National Low Income Housing Coalition - information about
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
Being connected is important-now more than ever. You don't have to face this difficult time alone. Find Support in your community.
CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAM (Idaho Dept. Health and Welfare) 208-678-0974
Live Better Idaho will connect you to services to help you live better.
All Mental Health, a COVID-19 focused support site
NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness
EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION AND RESOURCES
No one person can solve the challenges we currently face. But together, we can find ways for kids to learn. Students have the power to learn everywhere. Check out your districts for great ideas.
LiLi.org has been a great place for Idaho teachers forever. Surf their space.
#LearnEverywhere! is a site with great ideas for you to check out.
The Idaho State Department of Education has a list of resources for Idaho parents and schools as they seek to deliver classes and content online during the coronavirus emergency, and families also have numerous resources available to them.
A large list of online educational resources, published courtesy of the Amazing Education Resources Facebook group
Education.com has a great library full of resources to pick and choose from.
CENSUS 2020
It is important for everyone to be counted in the 2020 census. Even if you have a post office box, you can still complete the census on the internet. At the Census website, under "login" you can click on "If you do not have a Census id, click here." It is that easy.
No Internet; No Problem. You can park outside most community Library's and access their wi-fi to complete your census. Use your phone, your iPad or laptop.
You can also call the census offices: English 1.844.330.2020 or Spanish 1.844.468.2020
This year, it is SUPER EASY to answer 10 short questions. Do your part, fill out the census and let's all get counted.
Earlier this week the Census Bureau released a statement announcing significant operational changes (operational date changes available here) in the wake of COVID-19 including extending the enumeration period (self response) until October 31, 2020 and requesting an extension from Congress of the two statutory deadlines (Title 13, U.S.C., sections 141(b) and (c)). Specifically, the Census Bureau has requested that: (1) the deadline for the state population totals for congressional apportionment be moved from December 31, 2020 to April 30, 2021 and that (2) the deadline for delivering Redistricting Data Files to the states be moved from April 1, 2021 to July 31, 2021. A final decision on this request has not been made yet, but it is believed that Congress will approve this extension in the wake of COVID-19.
FOOD PROGRAMS
The Idaho Food Bank says if you are in need of food assistance? Use their statewide food assistance locator to get help nearest you!
Health and Welfare helps meet the needs of families in crisis situations by providing food, cash and other assistance programs in order to get you back on your feet.
https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/FoodCashAssistance/tabid/59/Default.aspx
Senior Centers are providing food program all over the Magic and Wood River Valley as well as other services. Click for the CSI Office on Aging or senior centers below:
Blaine County
Blaine County Senior Center
Camas County
Camas County Senior & Community Center
Cassia County
Golden Heritage Senior Center
Lorna Reader Senior Center
Oakley Valley Senior Center
Gooding County
Gooding County Senior Center
Hagerman Valley Senior Center
Wendell Senior Center
Jerome County
Jerome Senior Citizens Center
Silver & Gold Senior Center
Lincoln County
Golden Years Senior Center
Minidoka County
Minidoka County Senior Center
Twin Falls County
Ageless Senior Citizens
Filer Senior Haven
Twin Falls Senior Federation
West End Senior Center
VOTING HAS CHANGED
Governor Brad Little and Secretary of State Lawerence Denney announced Idaho's primary election remains on May 19, but will be conducted by mail.
The election will be conducted by mail ONLY pursuant to the existing laws for absentee voting due to concerns about the spread of coronavirus.
You can request a ballot THROUGH MAY 19, and the election results will be final June 2nd. There will be NO early voting and NO polling locations will be open. Please request your absentee ballot or contact your local elections office.
Also, in order to stay up to speed on all elections information, the Secretary of State strongly suggest you like and follow their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/IDSecOfState/ as well as follow them on twitter at https://twitter.com/IDSecOfState.
CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 RESOURCES
Idaho COVID-19 Dashboard - Most accurate and up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Idaho.
South Central Public Health District has a hotline available for the public to call to ask questions and obtain reliable information about the Coronavirus Disease COVID-19. The hotline number is (208) 737-1138. For those Spanish-speaking residents with questions, please call (208) 737-5965.
Southern Idaho Economic Development - a list of resources for businesses, communities, and families in the Twin Falls region
Idaho Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Idaho Innovation Center in Idaho Falls - hosting weekly teleconferences on Business Survival in a Challenging Economy on April 2nd, 9th, and 16th. 2 sessions will be held each Thursday-AM Session from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm & PM Session from 1:30-3:00 pm. Pre-registration is required to reserve your virtual seat each week (Select REGION VI). Presenters will include the Idaho Small Business Administration (SBA), Idaho Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Idaho Innovation Center.
Red Cross Blood Donations - Blood donations are needed due to shortages. Make an appointment to donate.
EBT/SNAP Programs - At this time, federal regulations require customers to use their EBT cards in a physical store. If you have questions, call the Idaho EBT Customer Service Line at 888-432-4328. Walmart, Albertsons and Safeway currently offer this services for these programs. Additional stores may allow this, and customers can contact their local store to ask if they offer this option. Meals on Wheels for Elderly Customers with SNAP benefits can call (208) 898-7060 for more information.
If you want direct deposit instead of a check mailed from the CARES Act federal relief to individuals and families. Go to irs.gov and provide your bank information. The IRS is also setting up a separate portal so you can track your deposit.
Small business loans (PPP) are forgivable loans (you may not have to pay back) if you adhere to the rules. Banks may reach their cap and not accept any more applications or a bank may only do business with their existing clients. Banks have created self-imposed frameworks to protect themselves and they received little guidance from the federal government, so tread cautiously and ask a lot of questions before signing the dotted line on the bank contract (read contract carefully).
Banks have received giant volumes of applications and many fraudulent ones. They need to prove to the US Treasury that their applications are good. The types of financial institutions eligible to handle these loans has increased, including community banks, financial tech companies (Paypal, Square), and other lenders. Look on the SBA website for the list of lenders.
The Boise Metro Chamber has created a website that contains how-to videos on loan applications and other services.
Sincerely,
Michelle