To help keep you and your family safe and healthy, here is the latest information regarding emergency coronavirus response:

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides no cost testing, paid sick and emergency leave, food assistance and unemployment benefits – and it is on its way to the President’s desk.  It is an interim response measure to help families weather the public health crisis. It follows the $8.3 billion emergency aid package passed by Congress on March 4 to expedite testing kits, vaccine development, protective gear for health workers and help for small businesses.

More on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act:

Providing Access to No Cost COVID-19 Testing

Removing all barriers to COVID-19 testing is critical for accurately assessing the scale and location of infections and mitigating its spread. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act ensures that COVID-19 testing is free to anyone in the U.S., including the uninsured.

To learn more about how the bill provides universal no-cost COVID-19 testing, click here. 

Protecting Students’ Access to Nutritious Meals

Our agencies and local school district are ramping up emergency meals for seniors and students during this public health crisis. 

Tampa families with children under 18 can receive no cost meals from March 23 to 27- click here for more information.

Expanding Access to Emergency Paid Sick Leave

Many workers are being forced to choose between their paycheck, their health, and the health of the people around them. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides two weeks of emergency paid sick leave to as many as 87 million American workers, while reimbursing employers for the cost.

To learn more about how the bill provides emergency paid sick leave to eligible workers, click here. 

Assistance for Small Businesses

Many small businesses in Tampa are impacted by the coronavirus, and the first funding package provides an estimated $7 billion in low-interest Small Business Administration loans to affected small businesses. 

Tampa small business owners can apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program as soon as possible. Funds are limited. To learn more about assistance for small businesses, click here. 

These are strong, hard-fought steps, which bring hope and help, but as we hear from our neighbors about continuing concerns -  we cannot stop with these. The House has already begun working to develop a third emergency response package that will continue to put Families First.

Visit the  Florida Department of Health’s website here for more updates and resources. If you are in need of any additional assistance related to travel restrictions or with a federal agency, contact my Tampa office at 813-871-2817. Your well-being is my top priority, so please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.