Category: Newsletter

Today’s briefing was long but short on definitive answers. I share with you some of the highlights of the meeting that might interest you.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE UPDATE
Most of the frustration has been the difficulty of getting into system in filing a claim and in certification both needed to get paid. Labor Director Scott Murakami has been working to address the antiquated and overloaded mainframe computer and understaffed claim processing (staff to verify claims and ensure all information on the claim is accurate and that the applicant meets all the eligibility requirements are met, etc.  Click here for the procedure when you file a claim.  If all information is complete and accurate, you could get paid in 15 days. It’s when it’s not that the process takes longer.

Filing new claims. With the overwhelming volume (221,731 applications were filed as of April 26) many have been frustrated by not getting their applications accepted. The department has since created a webform that offloads first time filers, so there should be no problem in getting in. But make sure that all information is accurate and complete. Otherwise you will need to wait until staff calls you to correct any errors. But until the additional staff comes on board (they should have as many as 120 staff by next week working two shifts) the usual process where staff calls applicants to correct errors which was all but impossible will be alleviated next week.

Claim certification.   If your claim is confirmed and you only need to submit your weekly/biweekly report and cannot get in, call (833) 901-2275 or email dlir.ui.oahu@hawaii.gov and wait. Your claim has been accepted and whenever you do get in, the payment will be backdated.  Beginning Friday, May 1^st, the certification portal will also accept reports more quickly as it will be offloaded from the mainframe. Additional staff (160 on two shifts) will also be calling to process the claims and verifying eligibility.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).  Independent contractors, sole proprietors/gig workers are not normally eligible for UI benefits but the federal pandemic relief act is providing benefits. The department’s problem in paying these benefits is two-fold: not having a computer program to receive and process these new claims (so one had to be created) and not having a way to verify income (which will now be done by the tax department). The PUA system is targeted to begin May 1.  Those who applied via the current website should reapply when the new form is posted online so check the UI website: https://huiclaims.hawaii.gov/#/  Independent contractors/PUA claimants who received messages that they were disqualified or denied should apply when the PUA application form is posted. You will also be paid from the beginning of your suspension of work.

All programs on the website (filing new claims and weekly reports) are available 24/7.

$600 Plus Up
The $600 per week additional federal relief funding is also a new program.  These checks will be paid to all claimants for the period 3/29-7/31.

DOH  STATE LABORATORIES COVID19 TESTING
The DOH will test only symptomatic cases, those who are symptomatic in close contact with infected positive cases, and, beginning soon, sentinel surveillance testing on a representative sample of the community.  Dr. Edward Desmond, State Laboratories Administrator, said Hawaii’s five laboratories have the capacity for 3,000 tests per day with a stable supply of reagents. The state reports it is currently testing about 400-1,000 per day. Dr Desmond is currently studying the new antibody test. He deferred to Dr. Sarah Park and her Disease Outbreak Control Division on the standards for testing and any planning forward. The committee will call Drs. Park and Anderson back to learn more about the surveillance testing program.

DOH FOOD SAFETY BRANCH ON REOPENING RESTAURANTS
With discussion on reopening, the committee wanted to hear plans for reopening of restaurants and safeguards against a COVID spike when they do open.  Food Safety Branch Chief Peter Oshiro said there were no plans or rules on requirements for restaurants on reopening. He said the National Restaurant Association guidance on reopening was the best practices that the DOH would require but since there are no rules he can only point to them as guidance.

NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR:  Sources of Help for Those in Need
You or someone you know may be in need of help while awaiting their unemployment payments that overcome their savings.  The following may help:

• Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) General/Financial Assistance Program provides cash benefits for food, clothing, shelter, and other essentials to adults ages 18 through 64, without minor dependents, who are temporarily disabled and who do not qualify for Social Security. Call 808-586-4993. Or email dhs@dhs.hawaii.gov or online.

• DHS Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program is a time-limited welfare reform program for adults with children providing monthly cash benefits to families for food, clothing, shelter, and other essentials. Digital fillable/printable PDF Application. Email application to bessd.statewidebranch@dhs.hawaii.gov For more information about TANF, call 1-855-643-1643, or online.

• Urgent Student Relief Fund (UH College Students) assists University of Hawaii students with unexpected financial hardship to continue their education. Requests for support must be for an unplanned emergency expense. Approved awards are generally between $100-$500 based on the type of request, which includes, but not limited to, costs due to an unanticipated situation or emergency, loss of employment or housing, family emergencies, natural disasters or pandemic, food insecurity, medical/dental expenses, changes to childcare or transportation needs. For more info, call (808) 956-3290 or email uhmfund@hawaii.edu.

NEXT SENATE COMMITTEE HEARING
The special committee will next convene Thursday, April 30, at 11 am.  Scheduled to report to the committee are Director of Transportation Jade Butay; Hawaii Tourism Authority CEO Chris Tatum; and Airlines Committee of Hawaii Co-Chairs Matthew Shelby, Mark Berg, and Brendan Baker.  The meeting will be available for live viewing on Olelo Channel 49 and online at olelo.org.  For information on prior or upcoming meetings, see the committee’s webpage.

Last Friday the Governor extended the stay-at-home order for another month to May 31. See Governor’s 6^thProclamation.

With only one new positive case today [Monday] (though we had another death), many are wondering why. HIEMA submitted a plan to the senate committee but we await the specific details on the criteria and actions for the different levels of threat to enable reopening. We understand the need to keep our airlines and cruise ships at bay for a while longer to ensure our health and safety from the traveling virus.

In the meantime, many suffer. More are getting their unemployment benefits but thousands are still waiting. And small businesses are having a hard time. The Governor’s 6^th Proclamation provides some loosening of the restrictions with more activities deemed essential (and thankfully he has added florists in time for Mother’s Day!) and continues relief for tenants. But we must still protect ourselves and neighbors with our social distancing routines which have become our new normal. Some of you have sent photos and concerns (sent to the HPD) about folks who don’t yet get it. As long as there are those who don’t take the rules seriously, we may have a longer wait.

HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Small businesses who did not get help in the last federal relief package (including those who are already in line when the funds ran out) have another round to get help.  The Small Business Administration (SBA) will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications from participating lenders beginning today (4/27).  The PPP provides small businesses (500 or fewer employees) with zero-fee loans of up to $10 million to cover payroll and other operating expenses. SBA will also resume processing EIDL Loans and Advance applications. For more information on these programs visit the SBA website. It’s first come, first served loans so contact your friendly PPP banker to submit your application asap. Scroll down this page to find your banker.

CALL 2-1-1 HOTLINE FOR HELP 
Aloha United Way’s 2-1-1 hotline is a free and comprehensive statewide community information and referral service. You can call, chat, text or email to connect with a specialist to help you find food, shelter, financial assistance, child care, elderly and disability service, job training and more. The 2-1-1 service is available every day from 7:00am – 10:00pm. All calls are confidential.  Visit their website for more information at auw211.org.

MORE RESOURCES:

• Drive Thru Food Distribution is another free food distribution drive-thru happening on Wednesday (4/29) at 12:30 pm in Kaka’ako (653 Ala Moana Blvd—on Keawe St.). It’s a first come, first served deal so get there early. Mahalo to sponsors Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center (H3RC) and Hawaii Foodbank. They will follow social distancing rules. If you need more information you can contact aogata@hhhrc.org or call (808) 521-2437.

• Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) offers eligible seniors $50 worth of coupons (10 coupons valued at $5 each) to obtain eligible foods without charge from participating farmers, farmers’ markets, roadside stands and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. Call: (808)954-7868 or visit this website for more information.

• Healthy Kids: “Vape Talk with Your Kid” is a webinar that you can share with your kids before they get hooked.  Put together by the American Lung Association and the Flavors Hook Kids campaign to keep our kids safe and healthy. A great number of youth say their peers got them started on vaping so this is a good time to discuss vaping while your kids are home. Check this out: April 30, 2020 01:00 PM. Register in advance for the zoominar.

NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR:  HPD Safety Tips for Kupuna and Everybody
Mahalo to the HPD who are caring for all of us and gave us the tips below to share with you during these difficult times. We are so ready to sprint out the door after our sheltering in place we may forget these mindful actions:

• Remember that criminals look for the easiest opportunities to commit a crime, so look for and remove any opportunities before criminals spot them
• Always be alert to your surroundings and the people around you
• Avoid walking alone at night and, even in the daytime, ask a friend or significant other to accompany you
• Walk confidently (it helps your posture too!)
• Have your key ready when approaching your front door
• Don’t carry large, bulky shoulder bags; carry only what you need
• Never leave your belongings unattended
• Don’t carry any more cash than is necessary; in fact, use a checkbook or debit/credit care as many grocery stores accept them

And, since the parks are opening for exercise, here are more cautionary hints:

• Prior to going on any outdoor excursions wash your hands and have a hand sanitizer readily available.
• If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, dry cough, trouble breathing) stay home and away from others and seek medical attention immediately.
• As you walk or jog about, maintain a 6 to 10-foot physical distance from others.
• Carry hydration products but keep in mind some public restrooms are closed.
• Avoid areas that have more than a couple people in close proximity and remember keep gatherings to less than 10 people.
• Be considerate and mindful of others and politely remind everyone to practice these tips.

For more guidance see the DOH website.

SENATE COMMITTEE HEARING:
The special committee will convene tomorrow (Tuesday), April 28, at 11 am.  Reporting to the committee on a number of concerns such as unemployment insurance updates will be by Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director Scott Murakami; on testing by Department of Health State Laboratories Administrator Edward Desmond; on federal programs by Department of Taxation Interim Director Rona Suzuki; on regulations for reopening restaurants by Department of Health Food Safety Division Chief Peter Oshiro; and updates on our emergency and recovery efforts by Hawaii Emergency Management Agency Planner Shawn Grzybowski.  The meeting will be available for live viewing on Olelo Channel 49 and online at olelo.org.  For information on prior or upcoming meetings, see the committee’s webpage.