COVID-19 has affected everyone. Think about how the stay at home orders has affected you personally and financially and think about how COVID-19 it may have affected your employer. Whether you work for a small business, large corporation, or are self-employed, the arrival of the novel coronavirus has injured all of us in some way, shape, or form. Non-essential businesses were ordered to shut down due to stay at home and/or social distancing orders and some workers are or were laid off with no end to their unemployment in sight. The CoCoronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was established with the intent to provide financial relief to the American economy. By economy, it means individuals, small business owners, State and local governments, large corporations, the health care industry and education.
Individual Support
Under this Act, a stimulus check was issued to support citizens during the pandemic. Single individuals with a gross income of $75,000.00 or less, received a $1,200.00 stimulus check, married couples with a gross income of $150,000 or less received $2,400.00 and families earning less than $150,000.00 received $2,400.00 plus $500 per child.
For those who have applied for unemployment due to COVID-19, they are also receiving an additional $600.00 per week on top of their unemployment earnings for a period of time and unemployment compensation can also be extended under the CARES Act. A Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program has also been developed to provide unemployment assistance to freelance workers, self-employed individuals, and contract employees and provides for unemployment assistance through the end of this year.
As we all know, healthcare is expensive and being tested for COVID-19 can be a long and expensive process. The CARES Act requires health insurance companies to cover COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, should a vaccine become available. Insurance companies are also required to cover COVID-19 testing at no cost to the insured.
Businesses
Small businesses are considered businesses with 500 or fewer employees. These businesses are also provided with relief under the CARES Act. Emergency grants for up to $10,000.00 for small businesses to cover immediate operating costs are offered and any applications for these grants must be done correctly and timely.
The CARES Act also provided small businesses with a new program called the Paycheck Protection Program which was implemented by the Small Business Administration. It provides employers with up to eight (8) weeks of payroll funds for payment of salaries, health insurance costs of the employer, and these funds can be partially used to pay for operational costs such as mortgage or rent. The CARES Act provisions for small businesses is giving relief to many employers allowing them to keep their workers employed. As with any relief program, the Paycheck Protection Program has strict rules and deadlines that employers must meet in order to get relief for the business and its employees. On June 5, 2020 the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 went into effect to modify “certain provisions related to forgiveness of loans under the Paycheck Protection Program and allows loan forgiveness recipients to defer their payroll taxes.” Please contact the Small Business Administration for further information on the application process and procedures to obtain the Payroll Protection Program.
The CARES Act has been put in place to help everyone. Please review the CARES Act to find out more about what you or your business is entitled to during this time. Congress is exploring more options to deal with the pandemic and that additional relief is yet to be received. Navigating the CARES Act is important to determine what applies to you. Many free programs and discussions are available through various platforms and you are encouraged to know the details of the provisions of the Act.
Written by Laura A. Kennard
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We are aware that everyone has been affected by the recent response to COVID-19 but we hope that you find some comfort in knowing that we are still operational and here to assist you.
Whether you are a current client or if you are looking for family law or estate planning assistance, our team is here for you and will continue to be available to address your concerns.
To the extent possible, we will offer remote consultations and provide services from a distance.
You may message us here, email our office at info@sterkfamilylaw.com, or call 815-600-8950 and one of our team members will be able to assist you.
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