Three Updates
AMTA-Maryland COVID-19 Info
Saturday, March 28. 2020

Hi Everyone,

We have some new information for you today and will continue to send emails and post on our Facebook page when new information is available that will assist our members during this crisis.

Read on for these updates:

CARES ACT and EXPANDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

MD LICENSE RENEWAL AND CE REQUIREMENTS UPDATE

SPOOFING EMAILS FROM US

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 vp1.amta.maryland@gmail.com.

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
Yesterday afternoon the CARES Act was signed into law, it is the largest relief and stimulus package ever implemented by our Federal Government. In addition to payments to many individuals, it increases the payments for Unemployment Benefits for all who are eligible. It also expands eligiblity for the benefits. Self-employed, independent contractors, gig workers will now be eligible for unemployment benefits.

WHAT THAT MEANS IN MARYLAND
If you lost your job as an employee due to a COVID-19 closing you are eligible for unemployment and your benefits will increase. Apply now.

If you are a sole practitioner or an independent contractor and you are out of business due to COVID-19 you will now be able to apply for unemployment as well.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW
The process and the timing of it all. Common sense tells us that Maryland will need a bit of time to shift things to process these new applications. Without W2s to prove income, they will probably need additional information, and we don't know what that is yet. They are already overloaded with traditional employee claims.

WHAT AMTA-MD IS DOING
We have made inquiries to discover how this is going to work and if people can begin to apply. Some have, although we don't know if they will be processed. We will continue to share any information we discover and welcome your info as well!

LINKS:




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.

SPAM and SPOOFING EMAILS FROM US
As AMTA volunteers, our emails are published nationally.

There is spam showing up that looks like it was send by our chapter president Sabrina Lopez. Please if you receive any emails from Sabrina or any board member, please check the sending address to confirm that it is really from us.

Our real email addresses are formatted like this: president.amta.maryland@gmail.com
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.