Bowser Administration and Via Expand VetsRide Program to Assist DC Veterans Impacted by COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs (MOVA), the District’s Department of For-Hire Vehicles (DFHV) and Via Transportation have expanded VetsRide to include DC veterans, who are recently unemployed.

Ride vouchers have been increased from four to 10 vouchers per month, with the option of rolling over any unused voucher into the following month.  VetsRide destinations include health and housing appointments, food distribution sites, grocery stores, pharmacies, educational opportunities, and employment.

DFHV and MOVA will allocate $10,000 in administration fees to purchase hand sanitizer, masks, gloves, and personal protective equipment needed to keep customers and drivers safe during the COVID-19 emergency and recovery period. There will also be an increase in the rider cap from $13 to $17, with the four dollar increase going exclusively to drivers providing services.

DC veterans can enroll in the VetsRide program Monday – Thursday, from 10am – 4pm, by calling 202-724-4010

More symptoms related to COVID-19 have been identified

Over the past several weeks, more symptoms related to COVID-19 have been identified. So, if you feel sick, and are experiencing any of the above symptoms, call your doctor or call the testing hotline, 1-855-363-0333, and let a medical professional advise you on next steps.

Learn more about testing options: coronavirus.dc.gov/testing 

It’s now far easier to get tested for COVID-19, with walkup/drive-through testing sites

The District of Columbia is offering free, appointment-required testing for DC residents who have been ordered by a doctor to have a test due to COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, congestion, body aches, chills, runny nose).

If you have been in an area affected by COVID-19 or in close contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19 in the past 2 weeks and develop the above symptoms, contact your doctor/health care provider or call the Testing Triage Call Center at 1-855-363-0333.

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Testing and Treatment at the DC VA MEDICAL CENTER

The Small Business Administration expands ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN AND GRANT (EIDL)

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, DC businesses are eligible to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. This advance will provide economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. Funds will be made available following a successful application. This loan advance will not have to be repaid.

Apply Online

Apply for Assistance      What You'll Need to Apply

DC businesses can start the process by clicking here and then “Apply for Assistance.” You can prepare to apply by reviewing the “Three Step Process” of SBA Disaster Loans to understand what to expect in the application process.

Have Questions?

• Website: SBA Disaster Loan website: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options 
• SBA's Customer Service Center: Contact 1-800-659-2955 (Hours: 7 AM-9 PM every day)
• Email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for help in completing their online application
• Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Customer Service You may call 1-800-877-8339

For more information on resources, click here.

DC Residents Can Claim Unemployment Insurance

With Mayor Bowser adjusting the District of Columbia’s operating status in response to coronavirus (COVID-19), District residents may file for unemployment compensation at dcnetworks.org. 

Getting Started: Qualification Scenarios for Unemployment Compensation During coronavirus (COVID-19) Event To begin the process of filing for your unemployment benefits, you will need to have the following information available:

• Your social security number
• Your most recent 30-day employer's name, address, phone number and dates of employment
• Your Alien Registration Number, if you are not a US Citizen
• Your DD214, if you are ex-military
• Your Standard Form 8 or Standard Form 50, if you are a former Federal Employee
• Severance pay information (only applicable if you did or will receive severance pay)
• Pension

Start Your Unemployment Compensation Process  

Filing for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

You can now apply for the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which provides federal benefits to individuals who have traditionally been ineligible for regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. 

If you have lost income due to COVID-19, and you are self-employed, an independent contractor (1099), a gig worker, or an individual with an insufficient work history, you may apply. 

*Before you file for PUA, you must first file for regular UI benefits and be denied.*

Please follow steps 1-5 below if you have not already filed a regular UI benefits claim.

Step 1: 

Go to https://does.dcnetworks.org/InitialClaims/

Step 2:

Click on “File Your Claim Online” at the bottom of the page.

Step 3:

File an Initial Claim for unemployment insurance benefits.

(REMINDER: To qualify for PUA, you must be ineligible to receive regular unemployment insurance benefits. When you file the regular Initial Claim for unemployment insurance benefits, you will be held ineligible and required to complete the subsequent PUA application)

Step 4:

Near the end of the Initial Claim application, select “Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)” as the Reason for Separation.

Step 5:

At the end of the Initial Claim for unemployment benefits, you will be presented with a link directing you to the PUA application.

You can also access the PUA application by clicking here.

 If you have questions about the PUA application, please email COVID19.UI@dc.gov or call us at 202-724-7000.

Complete the 2020 Census Now!

Historically under counted communities are often the same communities hit hardest in crises like these. A full count helps protect our friends, families and neighbors by identifying vulnerable populations and securing funding for healthcare, workforce assistance, senior and disability services, and food assistance.

Visit 2020census.gov to #GetCountedDC.

 Click Here To Sign Up For News From The Mayor's Office Of Veterans Affairs

Director Elliot J. Tommingo

202-724-5454

www.ova.dc.gov