From our State Senator, Norm Needleman.
Coronavirus Scams
The IRS has issued an alert to taxpayers that an increased number of individuals are attempting to conduct scams about COVID-19, which could lead to tax-related fraud and identity theft. IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said the IRS will not call anyone asking for financial information or verifications to receive economic impact payments or tax refunds faster, which further applies to emails appearing to come from the IRS. Do not open or click attachments or links; go to IRS.gov for up-to-date information.
Emails, text messages, websites and social media posts asking for or requesting money or personal information should all be ignored or reported to the IRS as they will likely be fraudulent. In most cases, the IRS will deposit economic impact payments into the direct deposit account taxpayers previously provided on tax returns.
Taxpayers who previously filed but did not provide direct deposit information to the IRS will be able to publish that information on an IRS.gov online portal in mid-April. The IRS will otherwise mail a check to an individual’s address on file. Retirees who normally don’t have requirements to file tax returns do not need to take action to receive their economic impact payment. Retirees will receive their payments automatically.
The IRS reported scammers may:
- Emphasize the words “stimulus check” or “stimulus payment,” while the correct term is economic impact payment.
- Ask a taxpayer to sign their check over to them.
- Ask for personal or banking information to “speed up” an economic impact payment.
- Suggest a tax refund or economic impact payment could be received faster by working on a taxpayer’s behalf.
- Mail the taxpayer a false check, then tell them to verify information over the phone or online to cash it.
If you receive unsolicited contact from someone claiming to be from the IRS, please forward information to phishing@irs.gov and be sure not to engage with that person.
Mortgage Payment Relief
Governor Lamont announced more than 50 credit unions and banks in Connecticut will offer mortgage relief to state residents and businesses facing hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic. The following policies will be offered:
- Financial institutions will offer mortgage-payment forbearances of up to 90 days, allowing homeowners to reduce or delay monthly mortgage payments. They will also provide a streamlined process for requesting forbearance, confirm approval and terms of forbearance programs, and extend agreements if faced with continued hardship.
- For at least 90 days, financial institutions will waive or refund mortgage-related late fees and other fees including early CD withdrawals.
- Financial institutions will not start any foreclosure sales or evictions for 60 days.
- Late or missed payments will not be shared with credit reporting agencies.
A list of participating banks and credit unions will be available on the Connecticut Department of Banking website. Contact your mortgage servicer to learn how to take advantage of mortgage relief.
Executive Order on Education and State Parks
On Tuesday, Governor Lamont’s signed an executive order focused on education and addresses other topics and ensures the following:
- Boards of Education will continue to be funded by the State Department of Education through ECS grants, payments for special education and Choice programming, among other steps. Municipalities must also continue providing funding to local boards of education as set forth in approved annual school budgets.
- Public school staff must continue to be employed; those laid off must be restored to employment; and school staff directly employed by local or regional boards of education must continue to be paid.
- Boards of Education and municipalities must negotiate amendments to contracts related to student and special education services with the intention of compensating active employees, sustaining continued service when school resumes, and requiring contracted companies to attest they are charging actual costs to sustain pay and benefits for active employees.
- The commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection can ban visitors from state parks and other lands after a property reaches maximum capacity for social distancing policies to remain in effect.
- Package and grocery stores are permitted to sell alcoholic beverages in curbside pickup form.
State Extends Filing and Payment Deadlines for Sales Tax and Room Occupancy Tax
The state Department of Revenue Services is granting an automatic extension until May 31 for the filing and payment deadlines for sales tax and room occupancy tax.
Taxpayers who have $150,000 or less in annual sales tax or room occupancy tax liability now qualify for an automatic extension to file and pay.
Taxpayers must use a calendar year look-back period of January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019. Any taxpayer who reported $150,000 or less in tax during that period qualifies for the relief.
Keeping Grocery Workers Safe
Throughout these tough times, grocery workers continue to serve the public and make sure we can all continue to feed our families. In addition to recently installed safety precautions such as plexiglass protection at cash registers and signs, we can all do our part to keep these vital workers safe and prevent further spread of COVID.
When you go shopping, please consider taking the following steps:
- Physically distance yourself at least six feet from supermarket employees and fellow shoppers. Please give them room to restock products and when you check out.
- Whenever possible, only send one family member to the store at a time.
- Use touchless options, such as credit cards and wireless payments, whenever possible, and wipe down cards and phones before and after shopping trips.
- Do your best to avoid touching any surfaces and bring disinfecting wipes to disinfect touch points if possible.
- If you wear gloves, please dispose of them in the trash when you leave.
4-CT Charitable Organization
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues, it is becoming clear the pandemic has impacted nearly every aspect of life across our state and beyond. This week, a group of state philanthropists created the Connecticut COVID-19 Charity Connection, otherwise known as 4-CT, an independent nonprofit organization seeking to bolster frontline providers serving areas impacted by the crisis. This group will provide financial support to ensure services are able to meet increased demand. The charity has already raised $10 million and hopes to expand that effort significantly to support Connecticut nonprofits. For more information, visit www.4-ct.org.
New Childcare Guidelines
Under a new executive order issued by Governor Lamont, no more than 10 children should be in groups during childcare; any facility caring for more than 30 children must obtain approval from the Office of Early Childhood and demonstrate sufficient separation of groups within the facility; all children and staff should be checked at the entrance of a facility for observable illness and confirm temperatures of below 100 degrees Fahrenheit; and staff must adhere to increased handwashing and health practices as well as enhanced cleaning and disinfection practices.
Health System Response Team
Governor Lamont this week formed the Governor’s Health System Response Team, which consists of the CEOs of several Connecticut hospital systems, including Hartford Healthcare, Nuvance Health and Yale New Haven Health. This team will work with the Connecticut Hospital Association and the state’s other hospitals to advise the governor, Department of Public Health and state Emergency Support Functions on proper allocation and distribution of medical resources, supplies and personnel throughout the duration of the public health emergency.
Voting Security
Connecticut will receive $5.4 million from the federal government to enhance safety of in-person voting at polling places, expand vote-at-home mail-in voting and protect the security and integrity of elections in our state. The CARES Act, approved by the federal government last week, dedicated $400 million to states to lessen the impact on the 2020 election cycle.
Horseback Riders and Horse Owners
While “Stay Home, Stay Safe” prohibits non-essential businesses from operating, animal shelters, animal care and animal management are all considered essential. The State Department of Agriculture, Connecticut Farm Bureau and Connecticut Horse Council understand this is a challenging time for all and have released guidelines to meet essential needs at this time.
- Stables should set up schedules of access times to ensure fewer than five people are at a barn at once and recommend continuing social distancing, proper disinfecting and sanitary practices.
- Essential equine care includes providing food, water, proper handling, health care and proper housing, as well as turnout and exercise necessary to individual horses.
- Riding lessons, programs and camps, club and organization meetings, and visits to equine facilities by anyone other than essential caregivers are not considered essential.
- Sporting events are prohibited.
- Limit access to and disinfect common areas regularly.
- Avoid sharing equipment and supplies between people when possible.
Managing Mental Health During COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic has unfolded, it has undoubtedly caused increased stress, anxiety and depression. Diseases like this can be scary, sometimes overwhelming, especially for those who are older or who are concerned about loved ones. In addition, the pandemic has caused significant disruptions to daily life. With offices closed, businesses shut down and many people having been furloughed, laid off or lost hours – and essential employees continuing to report to work – most people have been negatively impacted by COVID-19.
It is natural to feel stress and anxiety during difficult times like these. Managing that stress and anxiety effectively will help reduce fear and improve health, both of which will help as the situation continues. Unhealthy coping mechanisms can exacerbate the impacts of a crisis, including harming physical and mental health, impacting sleeping patterns, eating patterns, worsening of chronic health problems or increased use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. We owe it to ourselves to extend support to each other and ourselves, managing this crisis to the best of our abilities.
If you, or someone you care about, feels overwhelmed with emotions including sadness, depression or anxiety, or feels the impulse to harm themselves or others, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746.
During these tough times, taking care of yourself and your loved ones can help cope with stress and support your community.
To Support Yourself:
- While it can be beneficial to remain informed about current events, take breaks from watching, reading or listening to news stories. Some people find it useful to only watch certain news programs to gain new information; perhaps consider watching or reading for a certain period of time, or take steps to avoid upsetting news when possible.
- Take care of your body. Taking deep breaths, stretching and meditating can all improve your mental health. Eating healthy, well-balanced meals; exercising regularly; getting plenty of sleep; and avoiding alcohol and drugs, whether in excess or entirely, can all benefit your health.
- Take time to unwind. While working from home and taking care of personal responsibilities can be challenging, set aside some time in the day to do activities you enjoy. This can relieve stress and anxiety.
- Connect with others. Social distancing has interrupted normal social activities, but that does not mean you cannot stay in touch with friends and family. Regularly call or video-chat with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling. Everyone has been impacted by this crisis; mutual support will help lighten the load on us all.
When Discussing COVID-19:
- Make sure to treat the issue seriously, but do not let it overwhelm you. It can be easy to focus on every news story; it can have a paralyzing effect on an individual. Review the facts about COVID-19, understand the actual risks to yourself and your loved ones, and use that information to take proper precautionary steps. When you share accurate information about COVID-19, you can help friends and family become less stressed and better connect with you.
To Support Children and Teenagers:
- Children and teens react based on the environments around them. Calm and confident responses to COVID-19 from parents and caregivers will help children stay calm, especially as their own routines become interrupted.
- Not all children react to stress the same way. Watch for behavioral changes including increased crying or irritation, regression in behavior, excessive worry, fear or sadness, unhealthy eating or sleeping habits, “acting out” among teenagers and difficulty with attention and concentration. Any of these issues may indicate a child or teenager is struggling.
- Take time to talk with your children about COVID-19 and make sure to discuss the matter in a way your child or teen can understand. Reassure them that they are safe and let them know it is OK for them to be upset.
- Limit family exposure to news coverage, including social media. Misinformation or misinterpreted information can be jarring and frightening; work to make sure your children understand what is actually going on.
- Setting schedules and routines for education and recreation can be intensely beneficial.
If You Are a First Responder, whether Working as an Essential Employee or a Caregiver for someone Diagnosed with COVID-19:
- Thank you for your efforts and your bravery. You are providing a vital service during a difficult time.
- Acknowledge that traumatic situations can impact anyone negatively.
- If you are feeling fatigue or illness, or fear, withdrawal or guilt, understand these may be symptoms of secondary traumatic stress.
- Take time to recover from responding to the pandemic, including spending time with friends or family if possible or doing things you enjoy like exercising or reading.
- Take breaks from media coverage.
- There is no shame in seeking help if you feel overwhelmed or concerned you cannot perform your job as you did before the COVID-19 pandemic.
If You are Exposed to COVID-19, Develop Symptoms or are Entering or Leaving Quarantine:
- Focus on your own health. A strong body and mind will be better suited to overcoming the virus.
- If you have mixed emotions or heightened feelings, understand they are natural.
- Work to monitor stress, fear and worry about yourself and others.
- Understand that you cannot control others’ reactions to COVID-19.
This is an unprecedented change to daily life, but it is not permanent. If we support ourselves and others during these challenging times, we can overcome COVID-19.
