Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, our nation and our state, which has the highest number of diagnosed cases of the virus, is in crisis for more than one reason. Businesses are being forced to shut down, people are being told to stay home and jobs are being lost. To help ease the burden the state and federal government have passed a few pieces of legislation and executive orders.

On a state level, we have passed legislation to provide sick and paid family leave, as well as benefits due to disability, for employees who are placed in mandatory or precautionary quarantine due to the COVID-19 outbreak (A.10153). We have also passed a bill to allocate $40 million for emergency appropriation and necessary emergency measures to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers (A.09953). The governor has also enacted an executive order to reduce or suspend mortgage payments for 90 days, starting on March 21, if an individual has lost their job due to the virus.

On a federal level, the President has given borrowers the option to temporarily suspend payments for federal student loans for 60 days, starting March 13. In addition to what the federal and state governments have done, companies and agencies have stepped up to help those who are struggling amid the outbreak. These include the following:

National Grid & Other Electronic/Gas Companies

• Temporarily suspending all collections-related activities, which includes service disconnections due to non-payment, until the end of April. If you are unsure if your provider is partaking in this, please call to check.

Phone Companies

• AT&T is suspending termination due to non-payment of wireless, home phone or broadband service.
• Verizon is suspending termination due to non-payment and waiving late fees.
• T-Mobile is providing unlimited data to all customers for the next 60 days who have data plans, and additional data to those who use mobile hotspots.

Car Rental Companies

• Enterprise and Hertz are lowering the minimum age requirement to 18 through May 21 to allow college students to get home safely to their families.

I will continue to keep you updated as much as possible in regard to the COVID-19 outbreak, legislation and other measures being taken to help our communities during this difficult time.