MD Unemployment and SBA Loan Updates
AMTA-Maryland COVID-19 Info
Monday, March 30. 2020

Hi Everyone,

Not surprisingly, a lot of new information became available today in light of the passage of the CARES Act last on Friday afternoon.

Read on for these updates:

Applying for Unemployment - CARES ACT and EXPANDED UNEMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

SBA COVID-19 ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN APPLICATION - Sole Proprietors are now eligible - AND THERE IS AN ADVANCE AVAILABLE

We have included some info from previous emails below as well, grant and loan info and more helpful links. Thanks for your continued support and interest.

Feel free to contact me, Amelia Mitchell, our Government Relations chair with ideas or concerns at [email protected].

Take care,

Amelia
Board Member and Government Relations Chair
for
Sabrina, David, Lee, and Mark
Your AMTA-Maryland Chapter Board
CARES Act and Unemployment Benefits
A lot of people are now trying to apply for unemployment insurance since the CARES Act passed on Friday.

IMPORTANT - The Division of Unemployment Insurance provided a lot of new information and guidance today.

Highlights:
DO NOT APPLY YET if you are a SOLE PRACTITIONER/INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR you must wait until they announce the website is ready for those applications.

Employees who have been laid off or fired due to the COVID-19 pandemic can apply now - there are specific days of the week - read the above link for more info

Everyone should visit the above page to sign up for email updates.

Finally, we also heard from State Senator Sarah Elfreth's office, she is one of the legislators that we contacted for more guidance:
  • "Our MD Department of Labor system is currently not set up to take those applications - they are working quickly to resolve it to be able to accept those who fall under the new CARES Act provisions. They should not apply as it may affect their ability to apply in the correct portal. 
  • "Please make sure everyone is following the guidance at this site and below. I also encourage everyone to go here http://www.labor.maryland.gov/employment/unemployment.shtml and sign up for email updates on their site to know exactly when new resources or the application portal is live."

As always, we are here to assist and answer questions.
SBA COVID-19 ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS AND SOLE PRACTITIONERS
Another update from the CARES Act:

Small Business Owners may now be eligible for up to a $10,000 Advance on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) this advance appears to work as a grant as it will be forgiven in most circumstances.


NEW ELIGIBILITY:
Sole proprietorship, with or without employees, or an independent contractor is now eligible to apply for the SBA loan and the Advance.
MD LICENSE RENEWAL AND CE REQUIREMENTS
As we have shared, AMTA-MD has asked the Maryland Board of Massage Therapy Examiners to formally extend the renewal deadline for a year and to reduce or eliminate CE and CPR requirements.

While everyone has bigger concerns, we know that this is an anxiety point for many of us. CEs and license renewal costs a lot of money, it takes time to earn CEs and we are all out of business right now. While Governor Hogan has extended all renewals to 30 days after the state of emergency is over, that timing is a big unknown, and could leave many of us scrambling.

On Wednesday the Maryland Board of Massage Therapy Examiners had their monthly meeting via teleconference. AMTA-Maryland is very grateful that our letter and concerns were addressed by the board and have been added to their continuing focus.

As of Wednesday, no changes in relation to our requests have been made by the board. They agreed that these are important considerations and will continue to monitor the situation. There is also a question as to whether the board has the authority to make these changes.

AMTA-MD has also reached out to some of our allies in the Maryland Legislature to ask for their guidance and support. If such changes need to be made by the Governor or legislature, we have initiated that process.

MARYLAND GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAMS
Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Grant Fund
Will provide grants of up to $10,000 to small businesses with fewer than 50 employees to provide working capital. Grants are not loans and do not need to be repaid. They can be used for overhead, rent, payroll, etc.

Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loan Fund
Another loan program for small businesses with fewer than 50 employees to provide working capital. These loans would be 0% interest for the first year. They can be used for overhead, rent, payroll, etc.
RESOURCES AND INFORMATION


  • Maryland Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Business a very detailed page of information for businesses including closures, resources for business closures, taxes, licensing, and resources for employees. Yes, this page does note that our licenses will not renew until the 30th day after the state of emergency is lifted, we are asking for something more concrete from the board itself.