Getting Help Through the Health Emergency

By Vin Gopal, Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey

The IRS began delivering Economic Impact Payments, also known as federal stimulus payments, to individuals and married couples on April 15. While we do not control this federal process, we continue to track its progress and provide information about it to Monmouth County residents.

Here’s how you can track the progress of your stimulus payment.

The IRS’ “Get My Payment” tool, which is the first item on the agency’s homepage, irs.gov, shows the status of your stimulus payment and will allow you to enter your direct deposit information if the IRS does not have your bank information. Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or 2018, as well as people who receive Social Security retirement, disability or Railroad Retirement benefits, do not have to do anything to receive an Economic Impact Payment.

If you do not usually file a tax return, or if you are a recipient of Social Security or SSDI with qualifying children under the age of 17, the second item on the IRS homepage, “Non-filers: Enter Payment Info Here,” will enable you to file a simplified tax return that will allow you to receive this benefit.

Consumers initially reported some problems using the “Get My Payment” tool as a result of high volume. Be patient, and try again a little later. If you have questions or are having difficulty obtaining information about your federal stimulus payment, you may want to contact your Congressman or US Senator.

We also want to remind Monmouth County residents of some important facts about unemployment insurance benefits. Any employee who pays into the unemployment fund can claim benefits if they have fewer hours because the business or demand have slowed. If you already collected unemployment benefits in the past year, but did not use all of the money in your unemployment account, we encourage you to reapply.

Even if you are self-quarantining, you may still qualify for unemployment benefits. If your health provider has informed you that you are at greater risk due to a pre-existing health condition, you may qualify to use accrued earned sick leave and may also be eligible for Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI). To learn how to apply or get information about expanded benefits, visit the Division of Unemployment Insurance webpage at myunemployment.nj.gov.

In addition to keeping Monmouth County residents informed, we have been busy sponsoring legislation to help residents get through the COVID-19 health emergency. Several of our bills have become law.

One bill allows public notaries to authenticate documents remotely. This allows people to practice social distance while enabling the document filing process to continue without person-to-person contact.

Another bill increases the penalties for people who try to profit by distributing counterfeit Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). It’s hard to believe that anyone would be so unscrupulous as to take advantage of this state of emergency in this way. But it has happened. Under our bill, counterfeiting or distributing  PPE automatically will be upgraded to a second-degree crime, punishable by five-to-10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine, or both.

We also are making sure our first responders and healthcare workers have access to testing for the virus. Senator Gopal’s sponsored legislation directs the Department of Health to test first responders and health care workers even if they are asymptomatic and to expedite the test results.

As we make our way through this trying time, we will continue to work with county and local governments, the news media and through social media to protect and inform our citizens so they are able to better protect themselves. If you require assistance with a state program or agency, we encourage you to submit a Constituent Services Request Form with our office at TinyURL.com/LD11Help. You can also receive regular updates regarding COVID-19 by signing up for our email newsletter at TinyURL.com/LD11Updates, or call our District 11 Legislative office at (732) 695-3371 if you have questions or if we can assist you in any way.