Resolutions support immigrants, small businesses, and workers affected by COVID-19

The first resolution urges the Federal Government to alleviate the burden of healthcare costs of COVID-19 testing for uninsured undocumented communities.



While roughly nine percent of U.S. citizens are currently uninsured (around 44 million Americans), that number increases to 23 percent for immigrants and 45 percent for undocumented immigrants.



Undocumented immigrants are not able to collect unemployment benefits or food stamps, making it harder for them to pay for important necessities such as rent, utilities, groceries, and healthcare.



The Kaiser Family Foundation found that “uninsured individuals who contract COVID-19 and need medical care will likely receive large medical bills, even if they have low incomes and are unable to pay.”



Councilor Mejia’s thoughts are that in the time of a public health crisis, no one can afford to go without testing or treatment and that local, state and federal governments should do as much as possible to alleviate the costs of healthcare for undocumented immigrants who have little recourse for afforable treatment.



The second resolution called for immediate action to provide financial security to small businesses through increased relief funding including a moratorium on commercial rent payments and a ban on commercial evictions during the COVID-19 outbreak.



With the outbreak of COVID-19, businesses in Boston have faced financial difficulties including lost wages, lost revenue and strains on mental health as a result of social distancing. Business owners across the City have expressed their opposition to taking out loans or funds from their personal savings to keep their business afloat.



A survey conducted by Black Economic Council of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce found that their respondents will struggle to pay their employees, their rent and utilities and some may need to shut their doors in as little as one month.



On Monday, March 16, Governor Baker announced a $10 million relief fund, offering upward of $75,000 to businesses with fewer than 50 employees. Two days later, he announced that small businesses in Massachusetts who paid $150,000 or less in sales, meals, and room taxes in 2019 are eligible to defer their tax payments for March and April.



This relief fund is an important first step in ensuring that small businesses across the Commonwealth are able to stay afloat during this public health crisis, however; Councilor Mejia believes that much more needs to be done to keep as many small businesses open as possible.



The final adopted resolution urges the Commonwealth, Federal Government and the City of Boston to expand unemployment benefits to new employees, those who are self-employed, workers who rely on tips and any other workers impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.



According to the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA), in order to be eligible for unemployment benefits one has to have earned at least $5,100 during the last four completed calendar quarters and 30 times the weekly benefit amount one would be eligible to collect, be legally authorized to work in the U.S., be unemployed or work significantly reduced hours through no fault of their own and be able and willing to begin suitable work without delay when offered.



Councilor Mejia noted that the DUA recently updated its requirements to state that “worksearch requirements will be interpreted to appropriately permit claimants affected by COVID-19 to collect benefits,” but is not clear on who is eligible for this exemption. She believes that this is an opportunity to work in collaboration with local government as well as the state government in order to persuade the Federal Government to make the necessary changes to allow for greater unemployment funding.