Hi there,

For the past two weeks, I’ve been hosting teletownhalls to hear directly from constituents while adhering to social distancing guidelines. I’ve heard from nurses, teachers, small business owners, retirees, and more on their individual coronavirus concerns.

I’ve also participated in a number of teleconferences, virtual townhalls, and other Q&A discussions with small businesses, community leaders, medical professionals, hospitals, members of the press, and others where I’ve answered questions about the federal response to coronavirus.

There’s a lot of information out there and it’s important that constituents like you are receiving the most accurate information possible. My office and I are here to help, so please see us as a resource and let us know how we can be helpful by contacting one of my offices. Click here for more details on how to get in touch.


I’ve heard a lot of questions, but some of the most common questions I’ve received from West Virginians are the ones asking me about the individual relief provided through the CARES Act. Below are a few examples of what I’m hearing:

Question 1: If I receive Social Security and don’t file taxes, do I need to fill out additional paperwork to receive my individual relief?

Answer 1: No. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin clarified this week that Social Security recipients do not need to take any further steps to receive their direct payment under the CARES Act. This is something I pressed Treasury on to ensure our seniors don’t have to worry about more paperwork. 

Question 2: When can I expect my individual check?

Answer 2: Treasury expects these individual relief checks and direct deposits to begin being issued in mid-April.   The IRS says they will soon have a function on their website so that individuals can track the status of their payment, similar to the “Where’s my Refund” page that the IRS provides. 

Question 3: Will the individual payment count towards taxable income?

Answer 3: No. The payment is treated like other refundable tax credits and does not count as taxable income.

Help for Small Businesses

The CARES Act also provides needed aid for small businesses. Today marked the first day that small businesses can apply for loans through the Paycheck Protection Program. This is an eight-week, forgivable loan program designed to keep workers on a payroll and employers’ heads above water. The loan is forgiven in full as long as the business uses the loan for salaries and cash tips, debt obligations (mortgage, rent, utilities, etc.)

More information can be found here: https://bit.ly/39CUMlH


The idea is to keep employers and employees connected so that when we get through this, there isn’t a lag time to get businesses back up and running. We want our country’s economy to jump right back up to where it was before.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Small businesses with less than 500 employees, non-profits, sole proprietors, self-employed, independent contractors, and gig economy workers are all eligible for this aid.

The application is only four (!) pages. Check it out here and talk to your lender today!

Major Disaster Declaration for West Virginia

Today, we received good news from The White House when President Trump approved Governor Justice’s request for a major disaster declaration for the state of West Virginia as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.  The approval of this disaster declaration will allow for new funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to aid West Virginia in response efforts. Earlier this week, I led the West Virginia delegation in sending a letter to the president in support of Governor Justice’s request. Click here to read the letter.

This emergency declaration provides West Virginia greater access to financial resources through the federal government to combat this pandemic. I’ve been, and will remain, in contact with administration officials, particularly at FEMA at the national and regional levels, to make sure West Virginia’s priorities are heard. As chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I’ve also ensured that funds have been funneled into the Disaster Relief Fund for the needs we are facing as a nation during these challenging times. I thank President Trump for these needed resources that will help so many in West Virginia during this uncertain time. Click here for more details on this announcement.

Working for West Virginia

First and foremost, my focus is to make sure our West Virginians remain healthy and safe. I’ve been in constant contact with officials at the federal and state level to check in, ask questions, address certain issues, and make sure they are prepared. As chairman of the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, I’ve made it a point to ask the agencies I fund if they are prepared and equipped with the necessary resources to combat, treat, and prevent the coronavirus.

Below are more details on my efforts:

• Met with a number of officials, including: Vice President Mike Pence, CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services (WVDHHS) Commissioner and State Health Officer Dr. Cathy Slemp, members of the Coronavirus Taskforce, and others on the issue.
  
  
• Communicated with West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) Secretary Bill Crouch about the state’s testing issues.
  
  
• Spoke with West Virginia Hospital Association President and CEO Joe Letnaunchyn and West Virginia Health Care Association CEO Marty Wright.
  
  
• Voted in favor of the first emergency supplemental funding package to help states treat, prevent, and prepare for the Coronavirus. A portion of the funding provided for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is specifically tied to the FY2019 Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) grant awards for states and localities. In West Virginia, this means the state will receive at least $5 million in funding.
  
  
• Voted in favor of a second emergency supplemental funding package to provide economic relief to individuals, small businesses, and families during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
  
  
• Voted in favor of the third emergency supplemental funding package to provide immediate relief to West Virginians and others across the country that desperately need it.
  
  
• Attended a senators-only Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee briefing to ask questions directly of leadership from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the State Department, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
  
  
• Spoke with West Virginia Governor Jim Justice about West Virginia’s preparedness and readiness.
  
  
• Asked various government officials about the role of the aviation industry in containing the spread of the disease.
  
  
• During two Homeland Security Appropriations subcommittee hearings:
  
  
• Questioned Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator David Pekoske about TSA’s coordinating efforts with health agencies.
  
  
• Asked Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf about the department’s efforts to monitor and control the coronavirus.
  
  
• Been in constant contact with members of the Trump administration, including: FEMA, DHS, TSA, and ICE.
  
  
• Participated in regular conference calls with West Virginia small business owners, employers, health professionals, community leaders, hospitals, and others impacted by the virus to provide them with resources and information.

Additional Resources

I created a page on my website with information and resources to keep you up-to-date on the coronavirus situation as it continues to evolve. Check out that page here, and please share with friends so they can keep up with the latest.

In addition to my webpage, I also want to make sure you know where to get the latest updates from the medical experts at CDC.gov and West Virginia DHHR. 


I will continue doing my best to keep you up to speed on what we are doing here at the federal level to help and other resources that can be useful back at home. I will be posting regular updates on my Facebook and Twitter accounts, so be sure to follow me there.



Important Information If You’re Visiting DC

Because of coronavirus concerns, all Capitol and White House tours have been suspended indefinitely. Please contact our Washington office to reschedule. Additionally, requests for flags flown over the Capitol may be delayed, and access to the Capitol and House and Senate office buildings is being restricted. Feel free to contact our office at (202) 224-6472 with any questions. We apologize for any inconvenience.

In Case You Missed It



My bipartisan bill with Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.) was signed into law recently to expand apprenticeship opportunities for veterans. The legislation, called The Support for Veterans in Effective Apprenticeships Act previously passed the U.S. Senate in December 2019. The bill would allow more veterans to use their GI bill benefits toward securing a registered apprenticeship. I’m thrilled President Trump has signed this bill into law so we can increase these types of opportunities for our veterans. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2UFb5u1


How Can We Help?

Whether you need help with a casework issue or have a question about scheduling a meeting at one of my offices, my staff and I are ready to assist you. Learn more about the services we offer at www.capito.senate.gov.

You can also submit your feedback and share your stories with me by visiting my “Share Your Stories” webpage here: www.capito.senate.gov/ShareYourStories.

Social Media Recap





Join me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for regular updates and photos.

Sincerely,

Shelley Moore Capito

United States Senator