The Federal CARES Act
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Nick Vaugh, Senior Manager, Eastern Region will provide a summary of the legislation and share details how small businesses and self-employed individuals may qualify and
prepare to file for a loan on a Zoom webinar this Friday, April 3 from
11 a.m. - 12 noon.
Registered participants will be sent the link with instructions on how to access the session on Friday morning.
COVID-19 Update For Employers
The U.S. Dept of Labor has released some extensive guidance in the wake of Covid-19 and has now issued three forms of guidance to help employers and employees understand how the FFCRA will take affect; a fact sheet for employers, a fact sheet for employees, and a question-and-answer document.
COVID-19 Update 3/21/20
COVID-19 and New York’s DBL (Short Term Disability) and Paid Family Leave Coverage
(Information as of March 9th and is subject to change)
Below, we respond to your most frequently asked questions about COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) and how it relates to your statutory disability coverage — specifically, New York Disability Benefits Law (DBL), and New York Paid Family Leave (PFL).
Is staying at home under quarantine covered under NY’s definition of Disability?
No, based on the definitions in New Your State Disability Benefits Law Article 9, a preventative quarantine would not constitute a disabling event and therefore, wouldn’t not be a covered claim under your DBL/PFL policy.
What if I have COVID-19, is it a disability?
Maybe. “Disability” during employment means the inability of an employee (after the applicable seven day waiting period), as a result of an off-the-job injury or illness, to perform the regular duties of his/her employment. New York State specifically states that it typically does NOT include treatment for a cold or the flu. So, it would depend on the severity and length of the illness in a given case.
Is it covered under New York paid family leave?
No, staying home for preventative reasons ONLY is not a payable claim, and PFL is not meant for self-care. PFL can only be used by an eligible employee to bond with/care for a qualifying family member with a "serious health condition" as defined in the regulations, or as a result of a military leave event.
I heard Governor Cuomo signed something amending Paid Family Leave to cover this?
No. Governor Cuomo recently announced he would be amending his Paid Sick Leave legislation in response to this pandemic, which is a component of the Governor's budget proposal. Paid Sick Leave regulations apply to all NY employers BUT are separate from Paid Family Leave regulations.
Governor Cuomo's budget proposal requires businesses with 5 to 99 employees to offer at least five days of job-protected paid sick leave it annually. Employers with 100 or more workers must provide seven days of paid sick leave. Businesses is with four or fewer employees must offer five days of unpaid leave. This amendment specifically protects people who stay home from work because they are being isolated all quarantined as a result COVID-19.
What if I am caring for a family member with COVID-19?
Maybe. The qualifying family member would need to meet all the criteria of having a "serious health condition" as set forth in regulation and be undergoing "treatment" for the condition by a health care provider. COVID-19 is similar to a cold or flu, which generally is not covered under PFL for Family Care unless complications are present or the family member is hospital-confined. Over-the-counter medication, rest, fluids, and preventative quarantine/self-monitoring does not constitute treatment for COVID-19.
The Coronavirus and Its Impact on Insurance
Over the course of the past few weeks, the Coronavirus has quickly shifted from a story we were following in the news to a very real threat facing our businesses and our families. It has upended industries around the world, and as the disease spreads, so does the impact on businesses worldwide. From the airline and cruise ship industry, to hotels, casinos, sports and even the Olympic Games, we are only just seeing the beginning stages of the Coronavirus impact.