Stimulus payment hotline, loss of health insurance, free advertising for biz
May 21, 2020
Aloha Neighbor,
The legislature is in recess today but will return tomorrow to pass the budget bills and governor appointments to boards and commissions. We will recess beginning Friday (5/22) until mid-June. When we return we will be assessing the state of the state, knowing our revenues from the Council of Revenues that meets on May 28 and our needs (unemployment, business, etc.). Although the legislature will be in recess, Senate committees can continue to meet to conduct official business. Tomorrow, a joint committee hearing convenes to be briefed by the state administration on its plans for economic recovery. Details are at the end of this message.
I know there is economic suffering; and the state will continue to work with the counties and private sector to serve our community(ies). Today, I share information on several programs—federal, state and private– that might be of help to you.
WHERE’S MY FEDERAL STIMULUS CHECK?
The IRS is sending Economic Impact Payment – often called a stimulus payment – checks under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. But if you haven’t yet received yours, here’s some information:
Who is eligible?
Anyone other than a nonresident alien, a dependent, or an estate
You must have a Social Security number for you, your spouse, and any child. There is an exception for spouses of active duty military members.
How much will I get? It depends:
Individuals receive $1,200 (joint filers receive $2,400) plus $500 per child under 17 years old.
Benefits start to phase out when your income exceeds $150,000 for married couples, $75,000 for singles, and $112,500 for single parents.
With the phase-out, payments will not go to single filers earning more than $99,000; head-of-household filers with one child, more than $146,500; and more than $198,000 for joint filers with no children.
Your income is based on your 2019 tax return; if you did not file taxes for 2019, the Treasury will use your 2018 tax return.
You can also check on the status of your payment at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment but have your 2018 or 2019 tax return ready to access the portal. If you are eligible but not required to file taxes or don’t receive social security benefits, go to: www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here. NEED HEALTH INSURANCE?
If you have lost health insurance you can obtain help through Medquest –Hawaii’s version of Medicaid. You can find out if you are eligible within a day or two by filling out an online application at medical.mybenefits.hawaii.gov. Note: even if you were disqualified from SNAP (for example because you received your $600 stimulus check), you can still qualify for Medquest.
If you don’t qualify for Medquest, apply at healthcare.gov with lower copays and premiums. There is typically an open enrollment period but you can still apply within the 60 days after the day you lost employment.
NEED FREE ADVERTISING?
A group of Hawaii radio stations, iHeartMedia Honolulu, is sharing their expertise and “heart” free of charge to local businesses. They’ve launched at: Support808.com which lists restaurants, retailers, and shops that are providing services during the shutdown.
They are conducting a half a million-dollar campaign per month in advertising on all of the stations pushing Support808.com; at least two mentions an hour. Anyone wishing to post their business can email their information to flash@iheartmedia.com and it will be posted on the site.
SENATE JOINT COMMITTEE BRIEFING TOMORROW (5/21)
The Senate wants to hear about the state’s plan for economic recovery. The Committee on Ways and Means joins the Committee on Energy, Economic Development and Tourism to be briefed by the several departments of the administration, beginning at 1 pm. It will hear from the department of taxation (on the monthly revenues), budget & finance (on the state financial situation), state economist, and programs of the department of business, economic development and tourism and from the department of agriculture and UH CTAHR on their economic recovery plans as we enter the “new normal.” See the agenda here and you can watch it live on Olelo Channel 49 or olelo.org.
