COVID-19 April 9 Update

Suggestions for increasing help for MDES

• MDES is willing to enlist the help of private business to help answer phone calls and take claims. Such businesses must meet certain criteria however:
  • BACKGROUND CHECKS must be completed for all people who will be answering calls.
  • TRAINING for all people who answer the phone calls. MDES provides the training. As we understand it, the business can send one person to be trained and that person can then return and train others.
  • FACILITIES must be adequate. This means:
    • PHONE LINES are in place and ready to use
    • INTERNET capabilities exist and are ready to use
    • SPACE is large enough that people answering the calls can sit at least 6 feet apart.
• We think a website that allows claimants to set up an appointment to have their call answered might be a good idea. This would allow claimants to avoid the long wait times and know an exact time when they can make their claims. MDES is looking at the feasibility of such a website.
• We have asked MDES to consider developing a phone app that would allow people who do not have computers to file using their phone.

More unemployment claim tips

• Please enlist the help of your employer to file your unemployment claim. If the employer will file an unemployment claim for all the employees they terminate or layoff, this will help streamline and expedite the claims process. Many employers are doing this as a service for their employees. Please approach your employer about doing this if they are not already.
• Please send your questions through the Speaker’s office or through your state representative. This will help funnel all the questions through one portal, which should allow us to get answers to you more quickly.
• The answers you receive are only as good as the information you provide. Please be sure to set forth all the facts pertaining to your individual situation so that the answers MDES gives you are accurate.

Small Business Administration Information

• Please follow this link to see if the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program would be beneficial for you. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheckprotection-program-ppp
• Here is a link to information on SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/economicinjury-disaster-loan-emergency-advance
• SBA Bridge Loans and SBA Debt Relief are some other options. Here is SBA’s general information about COVID relief. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirusrelief-options

Update on number of cases.

• 257 new cases reported yesterday.
• Total cases statewide now number 2,260.
• Unfortunately, we now have 76 deaths.
• 44 outbreaks in long-term care facilities

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].