Bill > H4634

This bill aims to provide emergency financial assistance, healthcare access, and small business grants in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The key provisions are: 1. The Department of Revenue will create an "Equity and Justice for All" (EJA) portal where Massachusetts residents can register to receive COVID-19 assistance, including a $1,000 payment for individuals aged 16 and above, and an additional $750 per dependent. 2. Eligible registrants who have faced financial hardship due to COVID-19 and have incomes below 500% of the federal poverty level will receive monthly payments of $1,500, $1,000, or $500, depending on their income level, as well as additional payments for dependents. 3. EJA assistance will continue until all state and federal emergency status has been lifted, and will not be counted as income for the purposes of qualifying for other government benefits. 4. Registrants without access to affordable medical care will be immediately eligible for MassHealth. 5. The Massachusetts Office of Business Development will create a "Small Business Recovery Grant Fund" to provide up to $50,000 in emergency funds to eligible small businesses with no more than 26 full- and part-time employees.