The Blackburn Report: COVID-19 Resource Guide

THE BLACKBURN REPORT

April 3, 2020

I continue to pray for the health and safety of each and every American. We are going through an uncertain time in our nation's history, but America will soon come roaring back to life. We've come through hard times before, and we can do it again! Whether you are a small business owner, farmer, songwriter, or gig worker, federal, state, and local authorities have resources available to help bridge the gap caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

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Tennessee Employers and Small Businesses

*Are you a small business owner worried about making payroll" You can now apply for the Paycheck Protection Program, which will fund up to 8 weeks of payroll costs. If all employees are kept on the payroll, the loan will be fully forgiven. For more information, go to:. You can find the application here.

*The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans, express bridge loans, and debt relief.

*The IRS is extending payroll tax credits to eligible small and midsize businesses.

*Employers, there are new federal paid leave requirements related to COVID-19. You can learn more here.

*You can find additional SBA resources here.

Our Tennessee Workforce

*Have you recently been laid off, or has your paycheck taken a hit" You can file for Unemployment Insurance and other forms of assistance here.

*For information on the new federal paid leave requirements related to the coronavirus, go to:.

Our Health Care Workers

*Are you a volunteer health care worker" The CARES Act includes my Good Samaritan clause to protect volunteer health care from frivolous lawsuits during this public health emergency.

Federal Taxes and Rebate Checks

*The IRS has delayed Tax Day until July 15 and is also extending payroll tax credits to eligible small and midsize businesses.

*In the coming weeks, the IRS will send recovery rebate checks to eligible Americans. Please beware of scammers. The IRS will not contact you to request any personal information to receive the economic impact payments or any other benefits associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes retirees, who don't normally have to file a tax return. No action is required to receive your $1,200 economic impact payment.

*After joining my colleagues in a letter to the IRS, our seniors will now have automatic access to the Economic Impact Payments under the CARES Act. Social Security recipients who do not normally file tax returns will not need to file any additional information to receive the payments.

Competitive Federal Grants

*If you have questions regarding how the pandemic will affect federal grant applications and awards, please visit the awarding agency's website for announcements. You may also reach out to the agency for an extension or other inquiries.

*As always, you can visit my grants webpage to request support for your competitive federal grant application.

Education

*Parents, students and graduates can access educational resources and assistance here.

Living or Traveling Abroad

*If you are abroad and need assistance from the U.S. State Department, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. You may also call 1-888-407-4747 (U.S. & Canada) or 1- 202-501-4444 (from overseas).

The Volunteer Spirit

*Looking to help your fellow Tennesseans during the COVID-19 pandemic" TEMA is seeking personal protective equipment (PPE) donations from the private sector.

*Go to: if you would like to donate, sell, or produce medical supplies and other goods for the federal government.

*Tennesseans looking for volunteer opportunities and ideas can go to:.

You can access a downloadable version of this resource guide as well as an online version to send to coworkers, friends, and neighbors.

If you have questions about COVID-19 response efforts, go to: and we'll do our best to answer them. My office continues to remain available to assist and you can reach us at (202) 224-3344 or by email.

MARSHA'S ROUNDUP

From high school teachers, to businesses, we've seen stories all across the state of folks stepping up to help. Thank you!

Last week, Congress passed the CARES Act to help Americans combat COVID-19, and we made sure it took care of Tennessee's veterans by including additional funding for the VA. You can find more information on the VA's plan to combat COVID-19 here.

The CARES Act provides farmers and local food suppliers $9.5 billion to keep grocery shelves stocked. It also allocates $100 million to expand rural broadband, and supports distance learning and telemedicine programs. Learn more here.

CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES

*COVID-19 testing sites can be found here.

*General information about the coronavirus can be found here.

*Information regarding COVID-19 in Tennessee can be found here.

*You can call the Tennessee Coronavirus Public Information Line from 10 AM to 10 PM CST 877-857-2945

*Information for cleaning and disinfecting your home when someone is sick can be found here.

TORNADO RECOVERY UPDATES AND RESOURCES

*The deadline to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance is May 4, 2020. To register go to: or call 800-621-3362.

*If you are located in a disaster declared area (Davidson, Putnam, and Wilson Counties), you may be eligible for financial assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA). To apply, go to:.

*Benton, Carroll, and Smith Counties are now eligible for public assistance funding for debris clean up and public works projects.

STAY IN TOUCH

As a reminder, you can reach any of my six offices in Tennessee to share a concern or request assistance with a federal agency.

My Best,

Marsha

Chattanooga

10 West M. L. King Blvd.,

6th Floor

Chattanooga, TN 37402

Phone: 423-541-2939

Fax: 423-541-2944

Jackson

91 Stonebridge Blvd., Suite 103

Jackson, TN 38305

Phone: 731-660-3971

Fax: 731-660-3978

Knoxville

800 Market Street,

Suite 121

Knoxville, TN 37902

Phone: 865-540-3781

Fax: 865-540-7952

Memphis

100 Peabody Place,

Suite 1125

Memphis, TN 38103

Phone: 901-527-9199

Fax: 901-527-9395

Nashville

3322 West End Avenue,

Suite 610

Nashville, TN 37203

Phone: 629-800-6600

Tri-Cities

1105 East Jackson Blvd,

Suite 4

Jonesborough, TN 37659

Phone: 423-753-4009

Fax: 423-788-0250

Washington, DC

357 Dirksen Senate Office

Washington, DC 20510

Phone: 202-224-3344

Fax: 202-228-0566