As the global pandemic continues, employers and individuals across the state continue to grapple with the initial and ongoing impact of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

PPP Funding and Unemployment Benefits Perhaps the most well-known part of the CARES Act is the Paycheck Protection Program. This program was implemented by the Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of the Treasury to use forgivable loans to incentivize employers to keep employees on the payroll. In addition to the PPP, the federal government has provided states with the flexibility to expand their unemployment insurance benefits for individuals where:

  • An employer temporarily ceases operations due to COVID-19;
  • An individual is temporarily quarantined with an expectation of returning to work after quarantine; or
  • An individual leaves work due to risk of exposure or infection or to care for a family member.