Join me for a Telephone Mini Town Hall on May 1st

I’m hosting a Telephone Mini Town Hall this Friday, May 1st from 3 to 7 p.m.

Rather than in-person chats, each participant will sign up for a 15-minute time slot in which they’ll have a personal call with me. How to sign up: Please email my legislative aide, Syd Locke, at syd.locke@leg.wa.gov or call the office at 360-786-7862.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Telephone Mini Town Hall I held on April 17th! Some of the topics you brought up included how to help ensure students with special needs can get the support they need from their school districts, behavioral health services during the pandemic, and accessing social services and unemployment insurance during this economic downturn.

If you have things to say but can’t participate in the telephone mini town halls, please feel free to email me at steve.bergquist@leg.wa.gov. I try to respond to every call, email and letter from a citizen in the 11^th District.

It’s an honor and a privilege to serve as your representative, and I hope to hear from you soon!

Finding Success in the Unemployment Benefit Process

With so many people out of work or unable to work due to COVID-19, the state Employment Security Department is strained with many more families applying for benefits than normal. However, they are working hard on updating their website and getting important information out and I wanted to share what they told legislators.

Make sure to read all the instructions and information on the ESD website before you apply. This can help you make sure you have necessary information to fill out the application and submit your claim.

Are you having a hard time applying due to high demand straining the system? Try applying on a different day or at an off-hour. This can help you get through more quickly.

The money is not going to run out. Everyone who is eligible will get their money and will be paid retroactive to their date of eligibility.

The ESD is hiring a lot of new customer service staff to help respond to need, even bringing back retirees. As that staffing ramps up, ESD will be better equipped to handle the high volume of requests. Learn more about ESD’s remote work opportunities.

For independent contractors and self-employed workers to get benefits as quickly as possible, ESD will pay them right away a minimum weekly benefit amount ($235 for full-time workers) plus the $600 from the Federal CARES Act. When the independent contractor or self-employed worker’s wages have been verified, ESD will retroactively pay them any difference in their weekly benefit amount. This is to expedite getting money into workers pockets, but still protect against fraud.

You must submit your claim weekly and weekly claims can be filed anytime online at www.esd.wa.gov from Sunday through Saturday and can also be filed over the automated phone system at: 800-318-6022.

Federal CARES Act

Ineligible for unemployment benefits previously? This might have changed since you last applied. Through Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, our state has been able to expand eligibility to self-employed, independent contractors, those who are sick or caring for an ill loved one, as well as folks who didn’t work enough hours to hit the 680-hour mark for receiving benefits.

Federal CARES Act Information graphic

Supports for Small Businesses

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensely affected Washington’s economy across many industries, and has been especially hard on small businesses. Earlier this month, Gov. Inslee announced additional steps to help small businesses mitigate some of the economic impacts:

The Working Washington Small Business Grant, through the Governor’s Strategic Reserve Fund and administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce with the help of county economic development organizations. The grants will provide up to $10,000 for small businesses under 10 employees. Businesses can use this money to pay for rent, utility bills, supplies, inventory and other operating expenses.
To apply for an emergency grant, visit coronavirus.wa.gov.
Business resiliency assistance, through the Washington State Department of Commerce by partnering with organizations that serve economically disadvantaged communities across the state.
Forgivable loans, through the U.S. Small Business Administration. Small businesses, non-profits, independent contractors or self-employed individuals in need of financial help may be eligible for a forgivable loan from the SBA. Many local banks have begun taking SBA applications and issuing forgivable loans. For more information go to sba.gov.

Additional Federal Funding

Congress recently approved additional funding for small business relief through the Small Business Administration. Although these relief programs set up through the federal CARES Act quickly distributed all of the original funding, this new stimulus package means these programs and other relief options are available again to help during this difficult time.

The Paycheck Protection Program: This provides loan forgiveness for retaining employees by temporarily expanding the traditional SBA 7(a) loan program.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance: A loan advance that provides up to $10,000 in economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties.

Food Assistance

There are still ways to continue to access safe and healthy food, and extra help is available for families that need support getting food on the table. No one should go hungry. Here are some local resources to get the nutrition your family needs:

Tukwila Resources

Tukwila Parks and Recreation: If you live in Tukwila, are 60+ and are in need of meals, you can get up to 7 frozen meals a week free. Staff will contact you Monday or Tuesday to take orders for Wednesday delivery. (Halal meals are available.) Email sheri.mcconnaughey@tukwilawa.gov or call 206-767-2321 to sign up. Please leave your name and phone number, staff will return your call ASAP.
Tukwila School District is distributing free breakfast and lunch to all children aged 18 and under who live within the district boundaries. Eligible children can pick up their meals at any Tukwila School District bus stop at regularly scheduled morning pick up times, Monday through Friday. Bus routes and schedules.

Renton Resources

Renton School District is distributing free meals to those aged 18 and under. These meals include both lunch and breakfast served Monday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and can be picked up in the front lot of each school and at several community locations.
Order meals here: https://www.rentonschools.us/students-families

For more information on food resources:

NW Harvest’s SODO Community Market is doing bagged drive-through services – anyone can get food for themselves or anyone who needs it. M: 1:30PM – 7:30PM, W: 8:00AM – 2:00PM, F: 8:00AM – 2:00PM, Location: 1915 4th Avenue South, Seattle WA. You can pick up pre-bagged produce right at the door – no need to enter the grocery area.
The WA Food Fund: Governor Inslee launched the WA Food Fund earlier this month. It’s a collaboration between government, nonprofits, and philanthropies. It’s a coordinated effort to get food those in need across the state.

Sincerely,

Rep. Steve Bergquist