Mar. 17, 2020
LUZERNE COUNTY- As the Commonwealth enters into a two-week recommended shutdown, Reps. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne), Karen Boback (R-Luzerne/Lackawanna/Wyoming) and Tarah Toohil (R-Luzerne) are providing helpful local resource information for area residents.
COVID-19 Testing Information:
Residents need to contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258) or their family physician FIRST if they are experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) to see if they need to be tested. If a test is required, residents can go to their family physicians for testing.
For the latest information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at cdc.gov, or the Pennsylvania Department of Health website at health.pa.gov.
Unemployment Compensation (UC) Benefits Information:
At this time, Work Search and Work Registration requirements are temporarily waived for all UC claimants. Claimants are not required to prove they have applied or searched for a new job to maintain their UC benefits. Claimants are also not required to register with www.PACareerLink.gov. At this time, benefits are not being extended beyond 26 weeks.
For more information concerning unemployment compensation for EMPLOYEES, visit https://www.uc.pa.gov/Pages/covid19.aspx
For more information concerning EMPLOYER unemployment relief, visit https://www.uc.pa.gov/employers-uc-services-uc-tax/uc-benefit-information/Pages/Relief-from-Charges.aspx
Small Business Information:
As per the governor, the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) is offering working capital loans that could be of assistance to businesses impacted by COVID-19. Resources and information will be posted to http://dced.pa.gov/resources as they become available. The U.S. Small Business Administration, in addition to local funding partners, may also be a source of assistance for affected businesses, https://www.sba.gov/.
Kaufer, Boback, and Toohil ask that residents please reach out via phone to their offices should they have any questions or concerns.
Kaufer’s District Office: 570-283-1001.
Boback’s District Office: 570-675-6000 (Dallas) and 570-836-4777 (Tunkhannock).
Toohil’s District Office: 570-453-1344.
Media Contacts: Kaufer: Abby Krueger, akrueger@pahousegop.com.
Boback: Michael Plummer, mplummer@pahousegop.com.
Toohil: Andy Briggs, abriggs@pahousegop.com.