Just before the start of the new year, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act which contained a nearly $900 billion coronavirus aid package. The President signed the $2.3 trillion government funding bill into law, preventing another government shutdown and releasing billions of dollars in aid. Among other things, the relief package will extend unemployment benefits for millions of Americans who have been affected by the global pandemic. Here are some of the key factors in this legislation.
Relief Payments
The bill will add a $300 per week federal unemployment supplement through mid-March and will extend programs making freelancers and gig workers eligible for benefits. It also includes another round of stimulus checks for individuals who earn up to $75,000 a year or couples filing jointly up to $150,000. Individuals who meet the eligibility requirements will receive a payment of $600, while eligible couples are entitled to $1,200. Families with children will also be given $600 per dependent.
The package will also extend eviction protections to January 31st and will provide $25 billion in rental assistance for people who lost their job during the pandemic.
Paycheck Protection Program
As discussed in a previous blog, the Paycheck Protection Program or PPP was created to provide relief to small and medium-sized businesses facing financial challenges from the coronavirus pandemic. This latest legislation will put an additional $284 billion toward the PPP to aid eligible businesses.
Tax Provisions
The new measure also includes a two-year tax break for businesses and will boost Earned Income Tax credit. It does not include an extension of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. However, employers who voluntarily provide this will be eligible to take a tax credit for that leave.
Resources
Both employees and employers can find helpful resources by visiting websites for the Department of Labor, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Center for Disease Control.
For more information regarding resources for employers, businesses, and employees during this time, connect with me on LinkedIn for new updates, or contact me here.
Experienced Employment Law Attorney, Mediator, Arbitrator, Investigator, Legal and Media Commentator
Twice-named a U.S. News Best Lawyer in America for employment and labor law, Angela Reddock-Wright is an employment and labor law attorney, mediator, arbitrator, and certified workplace and Title IX investigator (AWI-CH) in Los Angeles, CA. Known as the “Workplace Guru,” Angela is an influencer and leading authority on employment, workplace/HR, Title IX, hazing, and bullying issues.
Angela is a regular legal and media commentator and analyst and has appeared on such media outlets as Entertainment Tonight, Law and Crime with Brian Ross, Court TV, CNN, ABC, CBS, Fox 11 News, KTLA-5, the Black News Channel, Fox Soul – The Black Report, NPR, KPCC, Airtalk-89.3, KJLH Front Page with Dominique DiPrima, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the LA Times, Yahoo! Entertainment, People Magazine, Essence Magazine, the Los Angeles Sentinel, LA Focus, Daily Journal, Our Weekly and the Wave Newspapers.
Angela is a member of the panel of distinguished mediators and arbitrators with Judicate West, a California company that represents the gold standard in dispute resolution. She also owns her own dispute resolution law firm, the Reddock Law Group of Los Angeles, specializing in the mediation, arbitration, and investigation of employment discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and other workplace claims, along with Title IX, sexual assault, and misconduct, hazing and bullying cases.
For more information regarding resources for employers, businesses, and employees during this time, connect with Angela on LinkedIn for new updates, or contact her here.
This communication is not legal advice. It is educational only. For legal advice, consult with an experienced employment law attorney in your state or city.