The Latest Update Senator Saud Anwar
As of Monday, March 30, there are 2,571 positive COVID-19 cases in Connecticut, with 36 deaths and 517 people hospitalized. This is up from the 1,993 Connecticut residents who tested positive, the 34 who died, and the 404 hospitalized as of Sunday. Monday’s numbers were 578 positive cases, 2 dead, and 113 hospitalized. 

For a town-by-town breakdown and other COVID-19 statistics, please visit: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus

Eversource Support
Eversource has announced that in addition to postponing customer disconnections for non-payment and assisting with financial programs to help pay bills,  Eversource is also providing extended payment arrangements for small business customers. It is offering a $0 down payment and 12-month payment arrangement for small businesses with first payments not due until June 1. For more information, please call Eversource’s Customer Service Center at 800-286-2000 for electric bills and 800-989-0900 for gas bills.

Support Local Farms
The Connecticut Northeast Organic Farming Association has partnered with the state Department of Agriculture to expand the list of farms, farmers markets and farm stands to promote local farms with fresh food and produce during this time. A list of farmstands and farmers markets is available here.

CDC Travel Advisory

There may have been some confusion over the weekend regarding the president’s statements regarding a quarantine for Connecticut. The CDC issued a travel advisory in which there were no changes for us. It says that Connecticut residents should avoid non-essential travel and should self-quarantine for 14 days after crossing state borders, which mirrors the governor’s standing travel advisory.

The CARES Act Cash Payments 
Recently, the CARES act was signed into law by the president and is the third stimulus package passed by Congress in response to COVID-19. Most individuals earning less than $75,000 can expect a one-time cash payment of $1,200. Married couples would each receive a check and families would get $500 per child. That means a family of four earning less than $150,000 can expect $3,400.

The payment amount falls by $5 for every $100 in income above $75,000 for individuals and those making over $99,000 will not receive the payment. Reduced checks, on a sliding scale, will go out to married couples who earn up to $198,000.

People who file as a “head of household” (typically single parents with children) are eligible for a $1,200 check if they have an adjusted gross income up to $112,500 a year. Reduced checks on a sliding scale are available for heads of household earning up to $136,500 annually. Heads of household will also receive an additional $500 per child under 17.

To receive the payment, you will have had to have filed a 2019 or 2018 tax return. The IRS will use your direct deposit information from then to deposit the money if you are eligible or will send you a check in the mail.

The CARES Act and Social Security
Recipients of Social Security may be interested in learning more about the recently approved CARES act and what it means for them. Social Security recipients are eligible for rebate payments as long as they have Social Security numbers and their household incomes are not too high. Rebate payments begin to phase out at the thresholds of $75,000 for a single filer, $112,500 for a head of household and $150,000 for a married couple. This number includes Social Security beneficiaries as well as Supplemental Security Income recipients.

 Everyone who filed tax returns in 2018 and 2019 and all Social Security beneficiaries will be paid automatically by the IRS. Others, including SSI recipients, may need to take additional action, though that is not yet confirmed. They may be asked to file an abbreviated return to receive their payment.

 These payments do not count as income or resources for means-tested programs, meaning they will not interfere with eligibility for SSI, SNAP, Medicaid, ACA credits, TANF, housing assistance or other income-related federal programs.

 The rebates do not accept receipt of unemployment compensation.

 The bill gives the Social Security Administration $338 million – $300 million to bolster service delivery in light of COVID-19 challenges and $38 million in helping carry out the rebates.

The Act does not impact Social Security trust funds through payroll tax provisions. Employers can temporarily delay payment of those taxes, but will still be required to make them in future years, effectively allowing them to be a loan to ensure continued operation. No provisions change the amount or timing of money deposited into Social Security and do not alter the contributory system of Social Security.

Assistance for Small Businesses and Non-Profits
The federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes several important benefits for small businesses and nonprofits in Connecticut: ​

·         Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans: Provide cash-flow assistance through federally-guaranteed loans to employers who maintain their payroll during this emergency. If employers maintain their payroll, the loans will be forgiven. 

·         Economic Injury Disaster Loans & Emergency Injury Grants: An emergency advance of up to $10,000 to small businesses and private nonprofits harmed by COVID-19 within three days of applying for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). Grants and loans may be used to keep employees on payroll, pay for sick leave, meet increased production costs due to supply chain disruptions, or pay business obligations, including debts, rent and mortgage payments.

·         Small Business Debt Relief Program: Provides immediate relief to small businesses with non-disaster SBA loans, in particular 7(a), 504, and microloans. Under this program, the SBA will cover all loan payments on previously secured SBA loans, including principal, interest, and fees, for six months. 

·         Employee Retention Credit for Employers Subject to Closure or Experiencing Economic Hardship: A refundable payroll tax credit for 50% of wages paid by eligible employers to certain employees during the COVID-19 crisis.

·         Delay of Payment of Employer Payroll Taxes: Allows taxpayers to defer paying the employer portion of certain payroll taxes through the end of 2020, with all 2020 deferred amounts due in two equal installments, one at the end of 2021, the other at the end of 2022.

·         Counseling and Training: Local resource partners can be found here.  For more details on the CARES Act visit Connecticut’s COVID-19 Business Resource Portal.

In addition to the above initiatives, employers should also be aware of the following programs:

·         Federal Emergency Paid Leave Program: Through the end of 2020, employers with fewer than 500 employees must provide 80 hours of paid sick leave and 10 weeks of paid family leave. Note that employers will be reimbursed by the IRS for 100% of the paid leave in 2 weeks or less. They will also be reimbursed for employees’ health care premiums during leave. The current IRS guidance can be found here. 

·         CT DOL’s Shared Work Program: Allows employers to reduce employees’ hours by up to 60% and DOL will step in to provide unemployment insurance (UI) benefits that help offset the lost wages, as well as the new federal UI supplement. More information about the program can be found here.

Many of these programs are also open to self-employed individuals. We encourage Connecticut businesses to act quickly to take advantage of the many resources being provided by the state and federal government during this crisis. Businesses should review these resources and reach out to lenders, landlords, and others as you consider making difficult decisions at this time.