Updates from the United States Chamber of Commerce
on the Federal CARES ACT
Federal Unemployment Programs:
- Extend unemployment insurance by 13 weeks and include a four-month enhancement of benefits
- Unemployment compensation is available for those not eligible for regular UI, including those who may have exhausted benefits.
- An individual must provide certification that he or she is able and available to work, but is unemployed or underemployed due to:
- Coronavirus diagnosis or presentation of symptoms and seeking medical attention
- A household member with coronavirus diagnosis.
- Caring for a family member who has been diagnosed.
- School or daycare closures and the individual is the primary child caregiver.
- Workplace lock-down.
- Advise from a health care provider to self-quarantine.
- The individual was about to start a job that is no longer available because of coronavirus.
- The individual is now the breadwinner of a household because someone has died from coronavirus.
- The individual had to quit because of a circumstance resulting from coronavirus. The individual’s place of work is closed because of coronavirus.
- These provisions do not apply to an individual who can telework with pay.
- These provisions do not cover someone getting paid sick or paid family leave.
- The unemployment provisions run from January 27 to December 31, 2020.
- Receipt of assistance under the unemployment provisions shall not exceed 39 weeks unless otherwise extended.
- No one week waiting period.
- The federal government will pick up 100% of the cost.
- Upon agreement between a state, an additional $600 per worker per week unemployment compensation payment is available.
- This compensation is 100% covered by the federal government.
- The additional payment sunsets on July 31.
- The federal government will pick up the cost for any states that waive the one-week waiting period. This sunsets on December 31, 2020.
Student Loans:
- Requires the Secretary of Education to defer student loan payments, principal, and interest thought September 30, 2020 without borrower penalty.
- Suspends reporting to credit agencies.
- Suspends all involuntary collection on defaulted student loans, including wage garnishment and reduction in tax refunds or other government-provided benefits.
United States Chamber of Commerce Complete Legislative Analysis
Contents: • Small Business “Paycheck Protection Program” • Additional Small Business Provisions • Changes to SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) • Loan Programs and Credit Facilities • Business Tax Provisions • Pension and Employee Benefit Requirements • Banking Relief, Mortgage Forbearance, and Credit Reporting • Payments & Relief for Individuals • Unemployment Programs • Work Sharing Programs • Paid Leave Changes • Health Care Provisions • Student Loans • Airline Industry Support • State and Local Aid • Appropriations
To better understand the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and how it impacts you and your members, review the United States of Chamber of Commerce
summary of the final bill which breaks down the final stimulus package and provides analysis for the business community. Links to the final bill text are included in the summary.
District of Columbia Government Addresses Unemployment
