Coronavirus Resources

Coronavirus Feb 2021 Update Graphic Wide

Please check this web page regularly as Congress acts and new resources become available for families, businesses and communities impacted by the Coronavirus.

The American Rescue Plan was signed into law on March 11, 2022. This bill provides critical funding to vaccinate more Americans, get checks and critical financial help to Michigan families, and help get our children safely back to school. 

The Consolidated Appropriations Act was signed into law on December 27, 2020. This bill provides critical funding for health care providers, extends unemployment insurance, provides direct payments to Americans, supports Michigan businesses, invests in an effective vaccine distribution plan, and helps our children get back into the classroom.

The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act was signed into law on April 24, 2020. This bill supports small businesses, provides additional funding for hospitals and health care providers, and invests in a widespread testing plan.
 
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. It provides a major infusion of health care resources and continued income for families and economic stability for workers and businesses. This bill provides critical funding for hospitals and health care providers, expands unemployment insurance, provides direct payments to Americans, and supports our Michigan businesses—large and small—and their employees.
 
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which will also help many Michigan families during this crisis, was signed into law on March 18, 2020. The bipartisan bill will give many employees who are experiencing symptoms or taking care of a child paid sick leave, paid family and medical leave, and enhanced unemployment insurance. The bill also increases access to food for expecting mothers, seniors, and children. Finally, the bill ensures people tested for coronavirus will not have to pay for the test.

Experiencing Symptoms

If you are experiencing symptoms, visit the CDC website and call your local health care provider or the Michigan coronavirus hotline at 888-535-6136. For information on testing including where to go in your area, please visit the COVID-19 test finder on Michigan.gov.

Vaccine Information

The American Rescue Plan Act contained $20 billion in funding for vaccine distribution, administration, and research, including $7.5 billion for the CDC, $1 billion to address vaccine hesitancy, and $6.05 billion for the supply chain. It also requires coverage of the vaccine under Medicaid and CHIP, among other provisions.

The federal government will allocate vaccines based on population. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which advises the CDC, has issued recommendations for vaccine distribution. You can view their recommendations here. You can also view additional information from the CDC here and the FDA here. 

Most distribution decisions are made at the state level, with some additional vaccines being sent directly to pharmacies, health centers, and other sites by the federal government. You can view the latest on Michigan’s vaccination efforts and eligibility criteria here.

 

Coronavirus Assistance

  • Direct Support to Americans: For information on the $1,400 ($2,800 for joint filers and $1,400 for each qualifying dependent) individual cash payment  –IRS.Gov
  • Unemployment Insurance: The American Rescue Plan Act continues the expansion of state unemployment insurance eligibility to self-employed workers, independent contractors, furloughed workers, part-time workers, tipped employees, gig workers, and workers impacted by shutdowns due to COVID-19. Individuals that have exhausted regular unemployment benefits can access up to 53 weeks of extended benefits. Everyone receiving unemployment insurance will continue to receive a weekly increase of $300 through Septemeber 6, 2021. For more information on the unemployment provisions in the Act: Stabenow.senate.gov/ui. Apply for unemployment benefits online: Michigan.gov/UIA or 1-866-500-0017.
  • Health Insurance: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act provides new insurance protections for patients – Stabenow.senate.gov/covid-19insurance
  • Assistance for Older Americans: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act provides special protections for older Americans – Stabenow.senate.gov/seniors
  • Student Loans: Borrowers do not need to make payments on student loans held by the U.S. Department of Education through September 30, 2021. For more information on whether you qualify for relief: https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus and Stabenow.senate.gov/studentloans
  • Mortgage Relief & Housing: The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act provides mortgage and housing assistance – Stabenow.senate.gov/housing
  • Tax Assistance: Some deadlines to file and pay federal income taxes are extended to May 17, 2021. For more information, visit the IRS website for those affected by the coronavirus: IRS.gov/coronavirus
 

Family Resources 

  • Social Security: The Social Security Administration has created a webpage for those seeking information about collecting Social Security benefits during the pandemic: Ssa.gov/coronavirus. Please note that all local Social Security offices are closed to the public for in-person service.
  • Personal Assistance: If you or your family need assistance with bills, food, childcare, or other essential needs, dial 211 to speak to someone who can help, or use the search bar at the top of the 211 website: 211.org/services/covid19.
  • Student Meals: The American Rescue Plan ensures the Pandemic EBT program is available for the duration of the pandemic, including over the summer when kids are out of school, so that families with children enrolled in school meals can purchase food using an EBT card.  All children under age 6 are eligible for benefits. The Michigan Department of Education is working to implement this program. If your child’s school has closed, you can find student meal locations here: Michigan.gov/meetupeatup.
  • Food Assistance: The American Rescue Plan extended the 15% increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits through September 2021, and increased the value of cash value vouchers through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) so moms can purchase more fruits and vegetables for their families. To apply for food assistance through SNAP: Michigan.gov/mibridges. If you need assistance applying for SNAP, contact their helpline at 1-888-544-8773. To find the Michigan WIC clinic closest to you visit Michigan.gov/wic, or click here. 
  • Food Banks: To find a food bank in your area: Fbcmich.org/resources/find-a-food-bank
  • Food for Seniors: The American Rescue Plan provides $37 million for food for seniors  through the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP)To find a Meals on Wheels provider in your area: mealsonwheelsamerica.org/find-meals. To apply for CSFP, contact a food bank in your area or a Michigan Community Action Agency near you: mcac.memberclicks.net/our-members
  • Utility and Energy Bills: If you have questions or concerns about your utility or energy bills, the State of Michigan has listed contact information for utility companies at their website: List of Michigan Utilities
 

Business & Non-Profit Organizations

  • Small Business & Non-Profits Guide to the CARES Act: To help small business owners, non-profits, and other employers better understand the major programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act: Stabenow.senate.gov/business. For SBA disaster assistance: Sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance or call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
  • Michigan Small Business Development Center: The Center has built a resource hub to help small business owners cope with the impact of COVID-19: Sbdcmichigan.org/small-business-covid19
  • MEDC Call Center: The Michigan Economic Development Corporation stands ready to support businesses looking for assistance. For a list of resources and information for Michigan businesses during the outbreak: Michiganbusiness.org/covid19 or call 1-888-522-0103.
  • Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity: The MDLEO has provided guidance for employers: Michigan.gov/leo

Resources for Hospitals, Health Care Providers and Other Health Care Facilities

  • Health Care Resources: For information on the resources available to hospitals, health care providers, and other facilities for equipment, supplies, medical treatment, mental health and addiction funding, vaccine development, rural health care, and Medicare: Stabenow.senate.gov/healthcareresources.

Agricultural & Food Supply Chain Assistance

  • USDA is working to implement the range of pandemic relief programs, and has launched its Pandemic Assistance for Producers site at https://www.farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance. This site will be updated with additional application details as they become available.More information from USDA is also available at: https://www.farmers.gov/coronavirus

  • Food Purchases and Worker Protection: The American Rescue Plan commits $4 billion in resources to help the food supply chain respond to COVID-19. Eligible activities include purchases of food for distribution to those in need, worker protection measures, and retooling support for farmers, farmers markets, and food processors to respond to COVID-19. For more information from USDA: https://www.farmers.gov/coronavirus

  • Small Meat Processors: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provides $60 million in grants to small meat and poultry processors to make improvements necessary to expand their markets by meeting federal food safety inspection standards. Grants may be used for modernizing or expanding facilities, modernizing equipment, and implementing other processes to ensure food safety. The American Rescue Plan provides another $100 million to cover additional food safety inspection costs for small meat and poultry processors.

  • Row Crop Farmers: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provides an estimated $5 billion for supplemental $20 per acre payments to all row crop producers. Visit farmers.gov/cfap for more information on the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) including eligible commodities, producer eligibility, payment limitations, and options to apply. USDA is currently accepting new and modified applications for the CFAP 2 program.

  • Specialty Crop Farmers: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provides an estimated $225 million for supplemental payments to producers of specialty crops, nursery and floriculture crops, aquaculture, and tobacco, if they experienced losses in 2019 and received a payment under crop insurance, the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program, or the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+).  USDA is currently accepting new and modified applications for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) . For more information including eligible crops, producer edibility, payment limitations, and options to apply visit: farmers.gov/cfap/apply. USDA is also working on additional assistance to specialty crop producers through the Pandemic Assistance Program. For more on this resource, please visit: https://www.farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance

  • Dairy Farmers: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provides an estimated $473 million for Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) payments to support small- and mid-sized dairy producers by allowing producers enrolled in the Farm Bill DMC program to increase their payments based on herd size. The bill also supports dairy product donations by providing $400 million for a Dairy Product Donation Program, modeled after the 2018 Farm Bill pilot milk donation program, to facilitate the donation of dairy products and minimize food waste. More information and updates on the assistance for dairy producers will be available at: https://www.farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance

  • Livestock and Poultry Farmers: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provides up to $2.5 billion for supplemental payments to cattle producers, contract growers of livestock and poultry, and producers who were forced to euthanize livestock or poultry due to insufficient processing access when plants closed due to COVID-19 outbreaks. Contract growers of livestock and poultry are now eligible to apply for assistance of up to 80% of their revenue loss. USDA is currently accepting new and modified applications for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2). Visit farmers.gov/cfap for more information on CFAP 2, including eligible livestock and poultry, producer eligibility, payment limitations, and options to apply. USDA is currently accepting new and modified applications for the CFAP 2 program  

  • Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers:  Historic discrimination by USDA toward farmers of color has led to reduced access to resources during the pandemic.The American Rescue Plan contains $4 billion for the relief of USDA-held debt for socially-disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to address longstanding inequity and $1 billion in general support for communities and farmers color for technical assistance, outreach, an equity commission, research, extension, and damages incurred by former borrowers of color who faced discrimination. For more on this resource, please visit https://www.farmers.gov/americanrescueplan.

Local Communities

Veterans

State and Federal Government Agencies

  • State of Michigan: For the latest on the State of Michigan’s response to the virus, please visit: Michigan.gov/coronavirus.
  • Michigan Attorney General: To understand the Governor’s Stay Home Stay Safe Executive Order and for guidance to police and prosecutors, visit the Michigan Attorney General’s Coronavirus resources information page at Michigan.gov/ag.
  • Centers for Disease Control: You can find prevention tips and the latest updates on the virus from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention at: Cdc.gov/coronavirus.

Coronavirus Donations & Volunteer Opportunities

  • State of Michigan Volunteer Site: Trained medical professionals can register to serve by assisting hospitals. Other state residents can give blood, donate money or needed medical supplies, or assist public health officials in tracking infections: Michigan.gov/fightcovid19.
  • Donations to the State of Michigan: To donate resources to the state to combat the coronavirus, contact the Michigan Community Service Commission: COVID19donations@michigan.gov or call 517-335-4295.
  • Pure Michigan Business Connect: is identifying the need for critical supplies or services by health and human service providers and local municipalities and connecting them with businesses and suppliers capable of filling these needs through immediate supply or manufacturing: Pmbc.connect.space/covid19/forms.
  • FEMA Help: For information on private sector help, volunteering, or making donations: Fema.gov/coronavirus/how-to-help.

Mental Health

  • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services "Warmline" - The MDHHS has launched a warmline to help those with mental health needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can reach the warmline by calling 888-PEER-753 (888-733-7753). The line is operated seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

·       Internal Revenue Service: Somedeadlines to file and pay federal income taxes are extended to May 17, 2021. For more information, visit the IRS website for those affected by the coronavirus: IRS.gov/coronavirus.