The number one question we continue to receive is, “When am I going to get my $600 federal unemployment benefits?”
For those of you who are eligible for state unemployment, it is our understanding that the federal benefits have already started rolling out. I have heard many of you have actually received it.
For those of you who are NOT eligible for state unemployment, such as the self-employed, you may still be eligible for the federal unemployment benefits under the CARES Act.
We have been in almost daily contact with MDES to inquire about this and to advocate for you.
We are told that they have to reprogram their computers in order to deal with the “federal only” claims. However, it is our belief that they are on the verge of getting this done. We are hopeful that any day now it will be announced that they are set up and ready to receive your claims.
We will certainly pass along that announcement once it is made, and you can begin the process of filing your claim through MDES.
Abortion clinic
We have also received many questions asking why the abortion clinic in Jackson is still operating when the executive order requested that all elective surgeries cease during this crisis.
Many of you have seen reports that the State of Texas entered an executive order suspending all elective surgeries during this crisis. The purpose of suspending elective surgeries was to free up the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) so that there would be an ample supply of PPE to fight the virus.
The abortion clinics in Texas sued the State of Texas to be exempt from the executive order. The Attorney General of the State of Texas defended the lawsuit and has preliminarily succeeded in enjoining some abortion procedures that deplete PPE.
As we understand it, the result of the lawsuit was that the abortion clinics were allowed to continue to operate but certain limitations were put into place and the clinics could only perform abortions under certain conditions. The courts have not yet reached a final decision on the case.
We are being told by the Governor’s office that the abortion clinic in Jackson has agreed to operate under the same conditions that the Fifth Circuit Court set for the abortion clinics in Texas.
Therefore, the abortion clinic in Jackson is still open just like the abortion clinics in Texas, but they have agreed to operate under the same restrictions as were placed on the clinics in Texas.
Locations for the latest appointment-only testing sites:
Tuesday, April 21
Yazoo County: Wardell Leach Recreational Complex, 500 W 15th Street, Yazoo City
Montgomery County: Winona Recreation Park, 300 Recreation Park Drive, Winona
Wednesday, April 22
Perry County: Perry County Multi-Purpose Center, 1194 HWY 15, Richton
Claiborne County: Claiborne County Parks and Rec., 1120 US-61, Port Gibson
Thursday, April 23
Hinds County: Tougaloo Owens Health and Wellness Center, 500 W County Line Road, Jackson
Walthall County: Walthall County Events Center, 29 MS-48, Tylertown
Friday, April 24
Kemper County: Kemper County High School, 200 Philadelphia Road, De Kalb
Update on number of cases.
204 new cases reported yesterday.
Total cases statewide now number 4,716.
Unfortunately, we now have 183 deaths.
79 outbreaks in long-term care facilities.
For a breakdown by county, see the attached charts.
Call if you need help.
We have had phone calls to our office forwarded to our staff. If you need any help at all, please call us at 601-359-3300.
We have also set up an email address for you to ask questions or seek help. That address is [email protected].
