Dear [firstname],

I’m grateful to everyone who took the time to join my tele-town hall this Tuesday. I appreciate the opportunity that the officials on the call and I had to answer your questions. In addition to getting you the information you need, these calls help shape the work I do in Congress to help El Paso and country during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

As our workers, small businesses, students, veterans, health care workers, and so many others continue to face one of the greatest challenges we have faced as a community, I am committed to protecting their health, economic security, and well-being.

If you have lost wages as a result of COVID-19, I want to make sure you have information about the new benefits and protections available to you.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act temporarily expands unemployment insurance to cover El Pasoans who are not traditionally covered, including the self-employed, gig-workers, independent contractors, and workers with irregular work history. It also expands the list of allowable criteria for claiming unemployment compensation to include many reasons related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

If you lost your job because of the coronavirus pandemic, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Unemployment benefits vary from state to state. In Texas, eligibility for unemployment benefits are evaluated by:

  • Past wages
  • Job Separations
  • Ongoing Eligibility Requirements

If your claim is accepted, your weekly benefit amount will be between $69 and $521, depending on your past wages. Additionally, the expanded unemployment insurance program created by the CARES Act provides an additional amount. We knew that unemployment benefits in some states would not be enough to cover basic needs, so the House fought to add $600 to every unemployment compensation check through July 31 if your claim is accepted. For more information about unemployment benefits in Texas, please visit the Texas Workforce Commission’s website or call TWC’s Tele-Center at 800-939-6631.

For frequently asked questions, click here.
Paid Leave

Many workers in El Paso currently have no paid leave and are being forced to choose between their paycheck, their health, and the health of the people around them. The emergency paid leave provisions passed by Congress and signed into law by the President are a critical step toward protecting families’ financial security and mitigating the spread of the COVID-19.

Paid Sick Leave Benefits for Eligible Employees:

  • Eligible full-time employees are entitled to two weeks of fully paid time off to self-quarantine, seek a diagnosis or preventative care, or receive treatment for COVID-19.
  • Eligible part-time employees are entitled to fully paid time off for the typical number of hours that they work in a two-week period to self-quarantine, seek a diagnosis or preventative care, or receive treatment for COVID-19.
To check your eligibility, visit the U.S. Department of Labor website.

Paid Family Leave Benefits for Eligible Employees:

  • Eligible full-time employees and part-time employees are entitled to 12 weeks of job-protected leave to care for their children in the event of a school closure or their child care provider is unavailable due to COVID-19. 
  • The 12 weeks of job-protected leave include two weeks of unpaid leave, followed by 10 weeks of paid leave. 
  • Eligible employees will receive a benefit from their employers that will be no less than two-thirds of the employee’s usual pay. 

For more information about the implementation of this legislation for employees and employers, visit the U.S. Department of Labor website.
Economic Impact Payments
The public health and economic consequences of COVID-19 are significant. The CARES Act appropriated economic impact payments to help El Pasoans, including Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and veterans receiving pensions, afford what they need during this public health crisis.

The amount of the payment depends on family size and income. The payment is $1,200 for each adult individual, or $2,400 for joint filers, and $500 per qualifying child under the age of 17.

The amount of the payment is reduced by $5 for every $100 a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income exceeds $150,000 for a joint filer, $112,500 for a head of household filer, and $75,000 for anyone else (including single filers).

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will work to distribute payments quickly and will be delivered automatically to individuals who file individual federal income tax returns. When available, an electronic direct deposit will be used in place of mailing a physical check.

Social Security beneficiaries will not need to file a tax return. Recipients of SSI and Veterans Affairs pensions and disability benefits who did not file a tax return may need to take additional action, such as filing an abbreviated tax return, to receive a rebate. For more information, visit the IRS website.
 Additional Resources
Because new information on COVID-19 is coming out daily, please visit my resource page on my website for the latest updates, recommendations from the CDC, and a Frequently Asked Questions section. Additionally, visit the sites below to stay up to date.

Affective April 1st, you must stay home unless you are leaving home to perform an "essential activity." Visit the County of El Paso's website for more updates on COVID-19 and the "Stay Home, Work Safe" order. 

The CDC provides updates on the virus and safety information for the public and healthcare professionals, as well as frequently asked questions available here. 

The City of El Paso is offering a hotline for residents to call for more information regarding COVID-19. The number is 915-21-COVID, or 915-212-6843.
 
The Texas Department of State Health Services provides updates on the disease's spread within the state.

The safety of you and your loved ones is of the utmost importance. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office at Veronica.Escobar@mail.house.gov. 

Sincerely,
Veronica Escobar
Member of Congress
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