Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Center

I am here to answer questions regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and provide critical resources to constituents. Below are links to state and federal government agency websites that can provide the best information possible as our nation combats the coronavirus outbreak.  

South Carolina Resources

Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC):

  • Visit DHEC’s Coronavirus webpage HERE.
  • DHEC’s Care Line: 1-855-472-3432. Staff are answering calls from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

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

 

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

 

Unemployment Benefits:
Under the CARES Act, 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. The bill creates an employee retention tax credit to incentivize businesses to keep workers on payroll during the crisis.

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

Information on the checks will be posted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) HERE. 

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.
 

Small Businesses - Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loans 

Paycheck Protection Program and Opportunity for Loan Forgiveness 
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.

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.

More information can be found HERE. 

 

Economic Injury Disaster Loans 

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.

 

Federal Agency Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

What you should know from CDC:

Information for Businesses:

Information for Travel and Transportation:

Information for Healthcare Providers, First Responders, and Research Facilities:

Information for Families and Households:

Information for Schools and Childcare Providers:

Information for Community Events and Gatherings:

Information for Military Response:

Issues: 
Economy and Jobs, Health