Below is compiled preliminary guidance regarding the recent developments in relief resources from the federal government.  Documents will be updated at the ELCA website as more information is disseminated and gathered - please check often.
Summary of CARES Acts Provisions
This document briefly summarizes provisions in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“the CARES Act”) that could possibly be of interest to church plans, ministries and plan members. This summary reflects those CARES Act provisions as they are currently understood on March 30, 2020, without any agency guidance. As guidance is issued that may be applicable, we plan to provide information to you on that guidance or to refer you to that guidance, but may not be able to update the summary with that information. This summary may be used by Church Alliance members as a basis for communications to ministries and plan members.

Update and Resources on COVID-19-related Benefits for ELCA Congregations, Synods, Other Ministries and their Employees
Congress has passed three acts recently in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The latter two, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), provide significant assistance that is available to churches, religious organizations and their employees. This summary focuses on the provisions of these acts that most directly affect churches and their employees and provides relevant resources.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act - UCC Memo
This memorandum summarizes the new provisions that are most applicable to the United Church of Christ National Setting and covenant partners. This is a developing situation and this memorandum is subject to change and/or be updated as more information becomes available. Note that these provisions are only applicable with respect to circumstances arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Letter from Mike Metzger, Synod Treasurer
On March 18th, Families First Coronavirus Response Act was put into law. The law requires that all employers with 500 or less employees offer sick leave benefits to their current employees. It also requires that the attached notice, Employee Rights, be posted in a conspicuous place. Since most of our employees are working from home, then this can be delivered to them via electronic or regular US mail by April 1st.

The notice provides the levels of sick leave that are to be provided to your employees. Keep in mind being in California, we are already required to have mandatory sick leave for our employees and your congregation may have its own sick time policy. The Federal sick time requirement is in addition to and not instead of any state mandated or internal employment policy.

Southwest California Synod of the ELCA| (818) 507-9591| [email protected]| www.socalsynod.org