May 22 COVID-19 Update

News from the office of Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante

Dear <<First Name>>,

Starting this week, Massachusetts residents who are eligible for the federal CARES Act and qualify for having exhausted their regular unemployment compensation may now receive the new Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). The launch of this program marks the third and final benefit available for the Commonwealth through the CARES Act.

PEUC provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits to an individual who has exhausted all rights to any regular unemployment compensation and who meets other eligibility requirements of the CARES Act. PEUC will automatically begin for individuals who have been receiving regular standard unemployment benefits on an active claim and those benefits are exhausted, and those individuals do not have to take any further action.

If an individual’s standard unemployment claim has expired, they must file a new standard claim. If the individual is monetarily eligible on the new standard claim, regardless of the benefit rate amount, they will receive benefits from that new claim. Otherwise, the individual will be eligible for PEUC on the prior claim and it will be automatically implemented.

Individuals who exhausted their standard benefits but were receiving benefits through Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) must apply to claim weekly benefits. Residents should apply through the standard unemployment benefits portal available here.

Those receiving PEUC will also receive $600 weekly through the week ending July 25, 2020, provided by the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program established by the CARES Act.

The CARES Act signed into law on March 27, 2020, established the PEUC, PUA and FPUC public benefit programs that expanded unemployment eligibility, temporarily increases weekly benefits for all claimants and allows additional categories of people to claim unemployment benefits. This is the largest expansion of assistance for the Commonwealth’s workforce since the Great Depression.

More information about Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation can be found at mass.gov/peuc.

Please read on below for new, updated, and important information surrounding the COVID-19 crisis and see our past newsletters if you haven't had a chance to read them already for more relevant guidance and directives following Governor Baker's declaration of a state of emergency on March 10th. Visit Mass.gov for complete information, check the municipal websites for Gloucester, Rockport, and Essex for local guidance, and text "COVIDMA" to 888-777 to receive COVID-19 text message alerts straight to your phone.

Town Hall with Rep. Marjorie Decker

Thank you to Rep. Marjorie Decker for having me as a guest at her town hall to discuss the Reopening Advisory Board and what we need to do to move forward.

Memorial Day Observance on Channel 12

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Memorial Day observance held at Gloucester High School has been cancelled. Gloucester’s Memorial Day observance is typically attended by 300 people and out of an abundance of caution and consideration for our most vulnerable populations, an outdoor ceremony would not be possible or considerate to those who are unable to attend.

In order to ensure that we uphold our community's obligation and traditions and allow for the entirety of our communities who wish to take part in honoring our military servicemembers who were killed in action or died while in service to our nation, Cape Ann Veterans Services has partnered with 1623 Studios to create a Cape Ann Memorial Day video which will air on Monday, May 25 at 11 AM on Channel 12.

RMV Credentials Extension Update

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles has implemented further extensions to the renewal timelines for expiring motor vehicle inspection stickers, passenger plate registrations, professional credentials, and driver's licenses and learner's permits, including Commercial Driver’s Licenses and Commercial Permits.

While the RMV previously announced extensions for most credentials, passenger plate registrations, and inspection stickers expired or expiring in March, April, and May, an additional extension has been applied to those credentials, and an extension has been added to some credentials expiring in June, July, and August. These extensions replicate the ongoing measures the RMV has taken to reduce the need for customers to physically visit an RMV Service Center.

Please visit the RMV website for additional details and to find information on over 40 transactions that can be conducted online, by phone, or by mail. For the latest Registry updates and information, follow @MassRMV on Twitter.

Resources for Children and Parents

With all public and private schools in Massachusetts closed for the rest of the school year, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is working with school districts to develop educational programming that students can access from home. In addition to the WGBH Distance Learning Center, there are numerous other online resources to help children stay engaged, safe, and healthy during this stressful time apart from their normal learning environment.

Here are a few resources that my office has come across through the week:

Unemployment Virtual Town Halls

In order to better meet the needs of residents whose employment has been affected by COVID-19, the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and the Department of Unemployment Assistance will be hosting daily virtual town hall meetings. They will take all who sign up through a step by step process of achieving a successful unemployment claim and will be taking questions from applicants across the Commonwealth.

The following town halls are currently scheduled:

Saturday, May 23 at 2:30 PM
Sunday May 24 at 2:30 PM

Sign up now to attend a virtual town hall meeting.

The Department of Unemployment Assistance has made specific web page updates that include the latest COVID-19 guidance for employee qualifications. To learn more about unemployment insurance and how to apply, visit the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance website.

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