Thank you for joining me for another weekly update on COVID-19 and the response in Wisconsin and in the Racine community. We are living through particularly challenging times, but I am so grateful all of you are working to stay informed, support our neighbors, and protect our community. Because of legislative rules during campaign season, I am only able to discuss COVID-19 in these updates, so I will not be addressing other current events.
Today, I also want to let you know thatthis will be the final COVID-19 E-Update you receive in your inbox for a while. In April, the Wisconsin State Legislature voted to extend legislators’ ability to send mass communications (more than 49 pieces of substantially identical correspondence) through June 10th for communications on COVID-19, so that we could better share information regarding the pandemic and available resources with our constituents. After today, this extension expires, and I will be prohibited from sending further E-Updates to your inbox until after the November election. This rule is in place so that incumbents do not have an unfair advantage over their political opponents.
I will still be writing updates and round-ups of resources on a regular basis, and you are always able to reach out for assistance or resources to my office directly. My updates, as well as other information and resources, will be available on my legislative Facebook and Twitter, as well as on my legislative website.
Please remember that even without these updates, our community is still deep in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Last week, Racine was identified as a national COVID-19 hotspot). We must continue to do everything we can to keep our fellow community members safe, especially those who are making great sacrifices as essential workers.
Please continue to practice social distancing, wear cloth face masks in public, wash your hands regularly, cover coughs and sneezes, and follow all other CDC recommendations during this pandemic. If you have been in group gatherings or large crowds in recent weeks, please consider getting a COVID-19 test — even if you were tested before.
While I know this is a difficult time for everyone, we will get through this together. My staff and I are always here to help wherever we can. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us via phone at (608) 266-0634 or via email at rep.neubauer@legis.wisconsin.gov.
In Solidarity,
Greta Neubauer
State Representative
66th Assembly District
Important Links for COVID-19 Information:
The Governor's office has launched a website with information and resources throughout the state government. You can visit it HERE.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has a website tracking COVID-19 in Wisconsin, including health-related resources from the CDC. This website is updated daily by 2:00 p.m. You can visit it HERE.
The City and County of Racine have launched COVID-19/Coronavirus websites with local information and resources. You can find Racine County’s website HERE, including daily updates from the Joint Information Center. The City of Racine’s website is available HERE.
This is a non-exhaustive list of resources and updates -- if you don’t find what you’re looking for here, you can find information for non-medical services online at 211 Wisconsin, dial 211 on your phone, or text your ZIP code to 898211.
Dept. of Health Services Updates
The Department of Health Services (DHS) continues to work to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin and keep our state safe and healthy through this public health emergency. DHS is still holding regular briefings and tracking the number of cases in our state and communities.
For daily updated information on COVID-19 in Wisconsin, visit the DHS website HERE.
Free Public COVID-19 Tests Available Next Week
Free community testing for COVID-19 will continue next week, June 15-19, at Horlick High School, 2119 Rapids Drive, from 9 am to 6pm. Please consider getting tested (or re-tested) if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in large gatherings in recent weeks.
Thank you to the City of Racine Health Department, Racine County, and the Wisconsin National Guard for continuing to coordinate these free opportunities in our community.
NEW: “We’re All In” Grant Program for Small Businesses Opens June 15
Governor Evers recently announced “We’re All In”, a grant program for small businesses. If you operate a small business and have been impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown, you may be eligible for a grant of up to $2,500. The application portal will be open Monday, June 15 through Sunday, June 21.
To be eligible, you must:
Be a Wisconsin-based, for-profit business.
Employ 20 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, including the owner.
Earn greater than $0 but less than $1 million in annual revenues (gross sales and receipts).
Have started operating prior to January 1, 2020 and have been in business in February 2020.
One of the criteria for businesses to apply is to attach a short email or letter of acknowledgement from a community organization indicating the business was in operation in February 2020. Acknowledgements can come from any of the following organizations:
Chamber of commerce
Main Street director or Connect Communities coordinator
Local business improvement district
Neighborhood economic development association
Local economic development organization
County economic development organization
Municipality
County
Local bank, credit union or Community Development Financial Institution
Regional UW Small Business Development Center
US Export Assistance Center - Wisconsin
Regional Economic Development Organization
Regional Planning Commission
To request a letter of acknowledgement from the Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC), please contact one of the following staff members:
Laura Million
Business Development Manager
262-898-7530
lmillion@rcedc.org
Kate Walker
Talent Recruitment Specialist
262-898-7438
kwalker@rcedc.org
Additional information on the “We’re All In” program is available on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) website HERE.
To apply for WRAP in Racine, check out the RCKAA webpage and call 262-637-8377 today. Even if you have previously called to discuss this program, I recommend contacting RCKAA today to ensure your application is complete.
Expanded Food Assistance Eligibility
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced that more households will be eligible for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Households with incomes below 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL) are now eligible to receive a monthly share of locally grown, Grade-A foods that include meat, vegetables, fruit, juice, and more from a TEFAP food pantry. For a household of one, that income threshold is $38,280. The larger the household, the higher the income threshold. Previously TEFAP’s qualifying income threshold was 185% FPL, or $23,606 for a household of one.
Households should call 2-1-1, the statewide helpline, to get the address, service hours, and phone number of the nearest food pantry that participates in the TEFAP program. For more information, check out the release from DHS, availableHERE.
Unemployment Updates
Last week, the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) announced that the recent onboarding of two contracted call centers, staffed by Alorica and Beyond Vision, has increased its ability to help more Wisconsinites with their unemployment claims. Since Alorica began taking calls on May 20, DWD has made almost 3.8 times the number of customer contacts. This has allowed DWD to answer more calls, resolve issues with claims faster, and provide claimants with their benefits in a more timely manner. You can learn about DWD’s expanded efforts HERE.
While I am sympathetic to the record number of applications DWD has received, I also believe that those seeking unemployment insurance should have a reasonable expectation of when they will collect their benefits. That’s why my office has stepped in to serve as another pathway to DWD. My staff has been working hard to send cases to DWD and request that they are promptly reviewed.
If you have not received your benefits and would like my office to assist you, please email rep.neubauer@legis.wisdconsin.gov with the information listed below. Once we have your information, we will send your case to DWD as soon as possible.
Full name (first name, last name, and middle initial)
Date of birth and last four digits of your Social Security Number
Address and phone number
Issue that needs to be resolved
Information on your application
Date of your initial application
Did you apply for regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)?
What is the status of your claims? (i.e. pending due to review of ability to work)
Have you received any communication from DWD since you submitted your application? (i.e. they asked you to submit pay stubs)
PUA Updates
Some PUA applicants began receiving payments in late May. However, others may be seeing longer wait times for applications to be processed, because each application must be assessed by hand based on individual details.
A new PUA-specific hotline has been established to help constituents complete their PUA claims and to provide general information related to the PUA program only. Those calling for other reasons will not be assisted via this hotline as those staffing the phones are trained exclusively in PUA.
PUA Hotline: (608) 318-7100
If you have questions about the unemployment or PUA processes, the “Frequently Asked Questions” sections on the DWD website are updated regularly with new information. You can find the FAQ pages HERE.
State Parks Hours Update
All state park properties have returned to the regular operating hours of 6:00 am - 11:00 pm, and properties are no longer closed on Wednesdays. The DNR has announced that state campgrounds will reopen on Wednesday, June 10 with special conditions to ensure the safety of staff and visitors. Some of the changes that campers and park visitors will experience beginning June 10 include automatic touchless check-in and new signs to educate visitors on recreating responsibly. Park offices will remain closed to the public.
Visitors are reminded to practice social distancing, refrain from congregating in large groups, travel only within their home communities, and follow all existing state park rules and guidelines. Visitors are also encouraged to wear masks in situations where social distancing is difficult.
For more information regarding State Parks during COVID-19, including campground reservation information, please click HERE.
Safe Shopping Resources During
COVID-19:
The Racine Mobile Market
Struggling to make it to the grocery store during COVID-19? The Racine Mobile Market is continuing to make stops throughout the Racine area during the COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone is welcome to shop at the market, which is run by the Hunger Task Force and stocked by Malicki’s Piggy Wiggly. The market accepts debit, credit and Quest/EBT cards, but not cash.
The Hunger Task Force has enacted new public health guidance at each mobile market stop to ensure shoppers maintain social distancing. The Mobile Market will take your grocery orders at the entrance, where a staffer will track and complete your shopping and then completes the payment transaction at the other end of the bus. These measures ensure that only one individual — who wears gloves at all times — is handling produce, shopping carts and grocery bags before you receive your groceries. Shoppers are asked to maintain 6 feet of distance in line.
To find out where the Racine Mobile Market is stopping next, check the calendar HERE.
If you have any comments regarding the subject of this E-Update, please feel free to contact me.
Rep. Greta Neubauer State Capitol, Room 8 North PO Box 8953 Madison, WI 53708 Toll-Free (888) 534-0066 or (608) 237-9166 Rep.Neubauer@legis.wi.gov| |