COVID-19 Relief

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It is important for you to know that several legislations have been passed recently that benefit our members during this time. Below are the most important highlights of the acts that may pertain to you or your loved ones:

Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA):

• Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at the employee’s regular rate of pay if the employee is unable to work because the employee is quarantined and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis; or
• Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay because the employee is unable to work because of a bona fide need to care for an individual subject to quarantine or to care for a child (under 18 years of age) whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19; and
• Up to an additional 10 weeks of paid expanded family and medical leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay where an employee, who has been employed for at least 30 calendar days, is unable to work due to a need for leave to care for a child whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19.

Qualifying Reasons for Leave:

Under the FFCRA, an employee qualifies for paid sick time if the employee is unable to work (or unable to telework) due to a need for leave because the employee:

1. is subject to a Federal, State, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19;
2. has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine related to COVID-19;
3. is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and is seeking a medical diagnosis;
4. is caring for an individual subject to an order described in (1) or self-quarantine as described in (2);
5. is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is unavailable) for reasons related to COVID-19; or
6. is experiencing any other substantially-similar condition specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of Labor and Treasury.

Under the FFCRA, an employee qualifies for expanded family leave if the employee is caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed (or child care provider is unavailable) for reasons related to COVID-19. For more information and details please visit FFCRRA. 

Coronavirus Aid, Relief & Economic Security Act (CARES):

• Employees who have been laid off or placed on furlough can collect unemployment;
• Adds $600 per week in benefits to everyone receiving Unemployment until July 31, 2020; 
• Adds 13 weeks of additional benefits – which also applies to those currently receiving unemployment;
• Filing deadline for 2019 Tax Returns has been extended to July 15, 2020;
• Requires all private insurance plans to cover COVID-19 treatments and makes all coronavirus tests free.

For more information on the Coronavireus Aid, Relief & Econimic Security Act please visit CARES Act.