Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Center

My office is here to answer questions regarding COVID-19, the re-opening of America, and to provide critical resources and information to constituents. Please read this page as it may help answer questions or concerns you may have. As always, please call my office should you need assistance: 864-224-7401.

To view my latest email updates on COVID-19 and the re-opening of America, click HERE.

To view a comprehensive resources page that was emailed out to constituents, click HERE.

South Carolina Resources

South Carolina’s Public Information Line (“PIPS line”) is fully functional from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week to answer coronavirus related questions and concerns: 1-866-246-0133.

Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC):

Visit DHEC’s COVID-19 webpage HERE.
DHEC’s Care Line is fully functional from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week to answer coronavirus related questions and concerns: 1-855-472-3432.

Coronavirus Screening:

Several providers across South Carolina are offering coronavirus screenings. Most require a physician’s order. Please visit these sites for more information in your area:

MUSC: HERE

PRISMA Health: HERE

Bon Secours: HERE

AnMed Health: HERE

Self-Regional Healthcare: HERE

Abbeville Area Medical Center: HERE

Unemployment Insurance
Under the CARES Act signed into law by President Trump, unemployment insurance benefits are boosted by expanding eligibility and offering workers an additional $600 a week for four months, on top of what state unemployment programs pay, and will give Americans four months-worth of their income if they are furloughed or lose their job due to COVID-19.

Do you need to file for unemployment? Apply with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) HERE.

Read the DEW General FAQ on unemployment HERE.

Read the DEW FAQ for 1099s, self-employed individuals, contractors, and gig workers HERE and watch the tutorial video HERE.

Have questions? Employers can call the employer only line at 803-737-2532 and individuals can call the TelClaim line at 1-866-831-1724.

Economic Impact Payments
The CARES Act provides direct payments to qualified individuals with checks of $1,200 per adult, and $500 per child available for those with incomes at or below $75,000 individual/$112,500 head of household/$150,000 filing jointly. Payments are phased out above those thresholds until it is phased out completely for single taxpayers with incomes exceeding $99,000 and $198,000 for joint filers. For most Americans, no action is required to receive the payment.

The U.S. Treasury Department launched the online portal to submit direct deposit information for the economic impact payment. This is only necessary if your information IS NOT on file already with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Americans who filed 2018 or 2019 tax returns with direct deposit information or receive Social Security do not need to take action. They will automatically receive payment in their bank accounts. You can find information on direct deposit and a link to submit your information HERE.

Recipients of Veterans Affairs benefits will automatically receive the economic impact payment the same way they normally receive their VA benefits.

Were you not required to file federal income tax and do not receive Social Security? If so, you can enter your information HERE.

The distribution of payments has already begun. You can find the most up-to-date information HERE.

COVID-19 Rent Assistance
The South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority and SC Thrive have announced a new COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program. This program is designed to help South Carolinians that have fallen on hard times due to COVID-19 pay their rent. For more information and to find out if you qualify for the program, click HERE.

USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched the application for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). The CFAP will provide direct relief to farmers and ranchers that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. For more information and to view the application, visit USDA’s website HERE.

Small Businesses - PPP and EIDL

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
The Paycheck Protection Program prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $349 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses. Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, Veterans organizations, and Tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards. More information can be found HERE.

Under this program:

-Eligible recipients may qualify for a loan up to $10 million determined by 8 weeks of prior average payroll plus an additional 25% of that amount.

-Loan payments will be deferred for six months.

-If you maintain your workforce, SBA will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first 8 weeks of payroll and certain other expenses following loan origination.

Please find additional information about the program at the following links:

- Coronavirus.gov Small Business Resources Page
- Treasury Department Overview On The Paycheck Protection Program
- Administration FAQ On The Paycheck Protection Program
- SBA.gov/Coronavirus Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources Page

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)

In response to a request from Governor Henry McMaster for a disaster declaration, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for South Carolina small businesses suffering substantial economic injury resulting from the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in the entire state of South Carolina. Small businesses and non-profit organizations that have been financially impacted as a direct result of COVID-19 may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses. The application and additional information is available at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. The deadline to return Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications is December 21, 2020.

Constituents Abroad
My team has been working around the clock to assist constituents who are currently abroad during the coronavirus outbreak. The State Department is making efforts to bring home Americans through commercial flights, chartered flights, and military transport. Any constituent abroad who needs assistance should contact my office at 864-224-7401, their local U.S. Embassy, and register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, available HERE or by calling 1-888-407-4747.

Community Assistance by County

Abbeville County Assistance Programs

Anderson County Assistance Programs

Edgefield County Assistance Programs

Greenville County Assistance Programs

Greenwood County Assistance Programs

Laurens County Assistance Programs

McCormick County Assistance Programs

Newberry County Assistance Programs

Oconee County Assistance Programs

Pickens County Assistance Programs

Saluda County Assistance Programs