Coronavirus update 4/20/20
Washington DC
Restaurant Recovery Fund is Needed!
The National Restaurant Association has called on Congress to provide a relief package that is specifically designed for our industry. An industry
"Blueprint for Recovery",
which proposes the creation of a $240B Restaurant and Foodservice Industry Recovery Fund. The proposal is comprehensive in scope, containing additional initiatives that would allow us to weather this storm.
Click to see:
Massachusetts
Unemployment assistance for non-traditional claimants
Today the Division of Unemployment Assistance announced that
claimants will be able to file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) beginning today.
PUA is a program open to the following individuals:
- Self-employed individuals, including gig workers, freelancers, and independent contractors
- Those seeking part-time employment
- Claimants that have an insufficient work history to qualify for benefits
- And claimants that have been laid off from churches and religious institutions and are not eligible for benefits under state law
Governor Baker signs housing/tenant security law
- Gov. Charlie Baker signed a housing security bill on Monday to put a pause on evictions and foreclosures until after the coronavirus pandemic abates,
- The moratorium will last for 120 days, or until 45 days after Baker lifts the COVID-19 state of emergency. The bill does not absolve tenants or homeowners from paying their rents or mortgages, but does protect them from paying late penalties as long as they demonstrate that their inability to pay during the crisis is due to a hardship caused by the pandemic.
- Protection for small business: Small business are included in this legislation, provided the business does not:
- (i) operate multi-state; (ii) operate multi-nationally; (iii) is publicly traded; or (iv) has not less than 150 full-time equivalent employees.
Small Business Grants in economically challenged areas
The Save Small Business Fund is a grant making initiative offering short-term relief for small employers in the United States and its territories.
Applications start Monday 4/20
To be eligible:
- Employ between 3 and 20 people
- Be located in an economically vulnerable community
- Have been harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic
