Office of Sen. Schatz Updates Details of the American Rescue Plan

Posted on Mar 12, 2021 in COVID-19, News

Updated: March 10, 2021

The page https://www.schatz.senate.gov/coronavirus will be updated continuously to reflect the most recent information. This page was last updated on March 6, 2021.

On March 6, the Senate passed the American Rescue Plan, a new COVID-19 relief package which will provide at least $6 billion in new federal funding to help Hawai’i families and local businesses during the pandemic. It is expected to easily pass the House of Representatives and be signed into law by the president in the coming days.

Updated information about these programs will be available in the coming days:

UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE: you could be eligible for expanded unemployment benefits if you were laid off or are unable to work due to the pandemic [UPDATED]. Click here to learn more.

RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS: you could be eligible for federal assistance [UPDATED]. Click here to learn more.

SMALL BUSINESSES: you could be eligible for new relief to help cover payroll and operating expenses [UPDATED]. Click here to learn more. 

DIRECT PAYMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS: most people will receive a one-time cash payment of up to $1,400 from the federal government [UPDATED]. Click here to learn more.

HEALTH RESOURCES: new relief and resources are available for individuals, insurers, and providers [UPDATED]. Click here to learn more.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS: you could be eligible for several food and nutrition assistance programs [UPDATED]. Click here to learn more.

TAX RELIEF: you may qualify for new tax benefits, including the expanded Child Tax Credit, that are available to help cover financial needs during the public health emergency [UPDATED]. Click here to learn more.

EMERGENCY PAID LEAVE: you could now be eligible for emergency paid leave so that you can stay at home and still earn your paycheck [UPDATED].

VETERANS: you could be eligible for new benefits [UPDATED]. Click here to learn more.

LABOR UNIONS: if you’re a member of a labor union, you could be eligible for new protections. Click here to learn more.

SCHOOLS: new relief and resources may be available for local schools and their employees [UPDATED]. Click here to learn more.

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS: if you’re an independent contractor, gig-economy worker, or are self-employed, you could be eligible for new resources to help cover your financial needs. Click here to learn more.

FEDERAL WORKERS AND CONTRACTORS: you could be eligible for new benefits, including paid emergency sick leave and family and medical leave. Click here to learn more.

SENIORS: you may be eligible for new protections and assistance programs, including financial relief, retirement savings, tax relief, health, nutrition and support programs for seniors, and housing security [UPDATED]. Click here to learn more.

COLLEGE STUDENTS: you may be eligible for new student loan relief or financial assistance through your college or university [UPDATED]. Click here to learn more.

AGRICULTURE, AQUACULTURE, AND FISHERIES: if you’re a farmer or rancher or work in the agricultural industry, the aquaculture industry, or the fishing industry, you may be eligible for new benefits [UPDATED]. Click here to view resources for agricultural workers, and click here to view resources for aquaculture and fishery workers.

BROADBAND ACCESS: the new relief law offers help connecting to the internet for low-income households, households with residents who became unemployed during the pandemic, minority communities, tribal communities, and unserved communities [UPDATED]. Click here to learn more.

NON-PROFITS: if you run a private non-profit, you may be eligible for new benefits. Click here to learn more.

ARTS & HUMANITIES: groups that support the arts and humanities may be eligible for new relief programs [UPDATED]. Click here to learn more.

STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: the American Rescue Plan allocated billions of dollars in relief funding for state and local governments, including $2.2 billion for Hawai’i [UPDATED]. Click here to learn more.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS: financial institutions may be offered temporary regulatory relief to banks and credit unions in order to encourage them to continue to lend to households and businesses, and to modify existing loans for borrowers facing economic hardship. Click here to learn more.

Congress has passed four laws to respond to COVID-19:

If you have questions or need assistance, please call one of our offices and we will return your call as soon as possible: https://www.schatz.senate.gov/office-locations.