BROADBAND

The sad fact is that many places in West Virginia simply do not have access to reliable broadband and the lack of access affects West Virginians every day. Back in 2015, the FCC released a coverage map that stated 99.9% of Americans had wireless coverage. I knew then what I know now: That is just plain wrong.

HOW MAY WE HELP YOU?

To request assistance from my case team, click here.

As your U.S. Senator, I am proud to be your voice with government agencies during your time of need. My goal is for me and my staff to provide the best possible customer service for every West Virginian who contacts me needing assistance. While I have no direct jurisdiction in legal or administrative matters of any federal, state, or local agency, I welcome the opportunity to assist you in any way possible and to assure that full consideration is given to your case. See one of our success stories below:

Mr. Jackson Irick of Glen Fork worked for 22 years in a union mine, and qualified for UMWA pension, but was told he did not qualify for the hospital/medical benefits. As a result of Caseworker Sylvia Asbury’s inquiry, Mr. Irick was able to appeal the decision, and was notified that he will begin receiving medical benefits through the UMWA, and has been able to plan his retirement with his wife.

From the Hill to the Mountains

JANUARY 11, 2021: MANCHIN MEETS WITH SECRETARY OF DEFENSE NOMINEE AUSTIN
Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, met with Secretary of Defense nominee Retired General Lloyd Austin.

"As a former Governor, I understand how critical it is for the President to choose their cabinet. General Austin bravely served our nation for over four decades and has proven he is a dedicated American who will lead the Department of Defense with experience and leadership. President-elect Biden has selected him to fulfill the position of Secretary of Defense because he fully believes General Austin understands the role of our military in subordination to civilian command. After meeting with him today I am convinced of that as well, and I believe the Senate should move to confirm General Austin as Defense Secretary on day one of the Biden Administration. I look forward to working with him and my colleagues to strengthen the United States’ role as the hope of the world.”

Information is updated daily on: manchin.senate.gov/coronavirus

WORKING FOR YOU

MANCHIN URGES ADMINISTRATION TO IMMEDIATELY ADDRESS COVID-19 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION ISSUES
Charleston, WV – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) led 45 Senators in urging U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to take immediate action to fix the significant issues of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution as coronavirus cases continue to climb. The Senators called on the Administration to work and communicate with state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, vaccine and PPE manufacturers, public health experts, and healthcare providers to develop a plan for COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration.

The Senators said in part, “We write to you with concerns about significant challenges in COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration across the country and to outline key actions the Trump Administration should have taken—and must now take—to address these challenges. With our health system and economy in crisis, and millions of lives at stake, we cannot afford for this vaccination campaign to continue to be hindered by the lack of planning, communication, and leadership we have seen so far."

Click here to read the full letter.

TESTING & VACCINE INFO

Some testing sites require a physician’s order before testing. To report your symptoms and be directed to one of the available testing sites, contact your primary care doctor or a designated hotline for your area. If you have gone through these steps and are still having problems getting a test, please email me at common_sense@manchin.senate.gov and a member of my staff will reach out to you to see if we can assist.

For a listing of one-day, weekly, and drive-through pharmacy testing, visit the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources website: https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/pages/testing.aspx

To learn more about current COVID-19 vaccine availability, visit the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources website: https://dhhr.wv.gov/COVID-19/Pages/Vaccine.aspx

Click here for WV DHHR’s latest updates to reported COVID-19 cases

RESOURCES

Our office is working diligently to bring you the most up-to-date information as it becomes available. Click the links below for more information. All information regarding resources and more can be found on Senator Manchin’s website.

Unemployment & Direct Payments

Veterans Assistance

Basic Needs

Business Assistance

Volunteer

Feeling Ill?

WV 211:

United Way of West Virginia provides an important service to West Virginians by helping users navigate the vast number of resources available to aid with healthcare issues, food shortages, mental health questions and more. This program is more important now than ever as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic and I commend United Way for continuing to serve their fellow West Virginians through this time.

United Way’s new 2-1-1 will make information on a wide variety of local support services more accessible across our entire state,” said United Way of Central WV President, Margaret O’Neal. “Whether it’s information for locating a health clinic, finding child care programs, or getting housing assistance, 2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember, go-to resource for individuals and families.

To utilize these resources West Virginians can:

Call 2-1-1
Text your zip code to 898-211
Visit http://www.wv211.org/contact
Call toll-free 1-833-848-9905

__________________________
All information is available and updated daily on manchin.senate.gov/coronavirus.

Treasury and IRS begin delivering second round of Economic Impact Payments to millions of Americans

On December 29, the IRS and the Treasury Department began delivering a second round of Economic Impact Payments as part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 to millions of Americans who received the first round of payments earlier this year.

The Internal Revenue Service has urged people to visit IRS.gov for the most current information on the second round of Economic Impact Payments rather than calling the agency or their financial institutions or tax software providers. IRS phone assistors do not have additional information beyond what’s available on IRS.gov.

Learn more at IRS.gov .

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