There are many sources for help during the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is a summary that we found to be helpful and relevant to our OS community. Please note that this information is not intended to be an accurate or exhaustive list of programs or eligibility requirements, nor does it guarantee that you will qualify for any of the programs mentioned or summarized below. Further, the links provided are intended to assist you with your independent investigations and determinations of eligibility and need. Questions about any of the above should be directed to the appropriate Federal, State or local officials, or your personal attorney.

• Direct Payments Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”)

The Federal government will be making one-time cash payments directly to U.S. citizens that meet certain criteria. These payments should be issued during the month of April, either by check or direct deposit. How much will you receive?

• Individuals earning less than $75,000 are eligible to receive $1,200.
• Married couples earning less than $150,000 are eligible to receive $2,400.
• If you meet the adjusted gross income requirements above and have children, you are eligible to receive $500 per child.
• Individuals earning more than $75,000 and less than $99,000 – and couples earning more than $150,000 and less than $198,000 – are eligible to receive a reduced amount.
• Enhanced Unemployment Benefits

NOTE: The IRS has begun issuing the first wave of “Economic Impact Payments”. Check your eligibility and how to get your payments by visiting: www.irs.gov/coronavirus. 

If you have lost your job, you can apply for state unemployment benefits.
Congress is enhancing state unemployment to provide more income and to cover more people.

• Adds $600 per week for four months on top of state unemployment.
• Adds up to 13 weeks of additional unemployment benefits to those already enrolled but who are nearing the end of benefits.
• Expands the program to include a number of workers not normally eligible to receive unemployment benefits. This includes:
• Freelancers;
• Independent contractors/gig workers;
• Self-employed;
• Those with limited work history; and
• Employees who are still employed, but whose hours have been reduced.

It is important to apply for unemployment as soon as possible. To help expedite aid, the federal government is funding the first week of benefits to encourage states to waive traditional waiting periods, but it may still take a couple of weeks for your claim to be processed.

• Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family Leave Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers (those with less than 500 employees) to provide employees with paid sick leave and/or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19.
Generally, the Act provides that covered employers must provide to all employees:

• Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at the employee’s regular rate of pay where the employee is unable to work because the employee is quarantined (pursuant to Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a health care provider), and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis; or
• Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of paid sick leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay because the employee is unable to work because of a bona fide need to care for an individual subject to quarantine (pursuant to Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a health care provider), or care for a child whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19, and/or the employee is experiencing a substantially similar condition as specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Labor.
• Up to an additional 10 weeks of paid expanded family and medical leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay where an employee is unable to work due to a bona fide need for leave to care for a child (under 18 years of age) whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19.

Subject	Link
The CARES Act	https://home.treasury.gov/cares
Enhanced unemployment benefits available in New York	https://labor.ny.gov/unemploymentassistance.shtm https://labor.ny.gov/ui/coronavirus-faq.shtm https://labor.ny.gov/ui/cares-act.shtm https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/em/downloads/pdf/coronavirus/covid-19-unemployment-health-insurance.pdf
Paid Leave under the FFCRA	https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employer-paid-leave
Federal taxes during the pandemic	https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus
New York taxes during the pandemic	https://www.tax.ny.gov/press/alerts/nys-tax-response-to-covid-19.htm
Programs available to NYC Residents	https://access.nyc.gov/ https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/energy-assistance.page
Unemployment benefits available in NJ	https://myunemployment.nj.gov/