May 25, 2021 - Now that the facemask requirement has been rescinded from the recent Executive Order, many companies have questions on how this impacts other requirements. We are reminding our clients the importance of having a Preparedness Plan in place. These plans are still required of businesses until further notice. It is up to your company's discretion if facemasks are still required for your place of business. Make sure your Preparedness Plan reflects any possible changes. Contact us for additional guidance.

April 9, 2021 - COBRA Model Notices are available now on the U.S. Department of Labor COBRA Premium Subsidy webpage. Learn more about the COBRA portion of the American Rescue Plan Act in the COBRA tab.

The American Rescue Plan Act will continue to provide eligible unemployed individuals $300 per week in addition to state benefits through September 6, 2021. Unemployment for those that do not qualify will be allowed a total of 79 weeks, up from 50.

For more about federal pandemic unemployment assistance, read this article from McLane Middleton.

The American Rescue Plan Act allows for new special election opportunities for assistance eligible individuals (AEIs). Individuals covered under a health plan any time between April 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021 who are entitled to COBRA coverage due to involuntary termination of employment may be included in the new special election opportunities. 

To learn more about the new notice requirements for employers, how your company may be impacted and view model notices, read more from the U.S. Department of Labor.

The grants for small businesses in the American Rescue Plan Act are targeted towards restaurants. Within the Act, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) was created in hopes to assist restaurants and bars hit hard from the pandemic. The Small Business Administration (SBA) will be dispersing the RRF grants, however, there is no launch date as of late.

For more details about the RRF grants and other small business aspects in the Act, explore the U.S. Chamber of Commerce website article.

This loan provides economic relief to small businesses and nonprofit organizations that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue.

For more on COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan, review the U.S. Small Business Administration loan details.

PPP was established in March of 2020 through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This program helps covered businesses keep employees on the payroll during the coronavirus pandemic through providing forgiveness loans (as long as funds were spent on payroll-related expenses and other criteria was met). The second round of PPP was completed on March 31, 2021.

For additional information about PPP loans, check out the U.S. Small Business Admission website.