Your Rights and Protections Under the CARES Act

In response to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, the federal Government passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and. Economic Security CARES) Act in March 2020. The bill provided sweeping protections for the unemployed and underemployed. There are two provisions: Unemployment Insurance (via Department of Labor) and Credit (Internal Revenue Service).

Unemployment Insurance

Access to benefits is set at 39 weeks. Eligible term for applying COVID-19 impacted unemployment starting January 27, 2020. Appropriations will flow from USDOL to state Job Centers. States will apply their own formula to determine maximum benefit per qualifying individual.

Qualifying Individuals

  • filer or member of family diagnosed with COVID
  • filer is caring for family with COVID-19 diagnosis
  • filer is primary caregiver must remain home due to school or other facility closed due to COVID-19
  • filer is unable to reach employment due to quarantine, told to self-quarantine by healthcare professional
  • filer is scheduled to start work but cannot begin due to COVID-19
  • filer is now head of household as result of sudden death of breadwinner
  • filer has to quit due indirect result to COVID-19, o filer’s employer closes as a result of COVID-19
  • Any other criteria established by Labor Secretary
  • Filer is self-employed, or is seeking PTE, or does not have sufficient work history of any other category that would otherwise exclude them from UI.
  • Those who have exhausted their UI benefits are eligible

Non-qualifying individuals

  • Non-resident alien individual
  • Anyone able to telework
  • Anyone on paid sick leave or other paid leave benefits Internal to the Urban League Movement.
  • Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is available to qualified individuals and after state UI is issued. Assistance entitles filer to added $600 per week. Will accompany state UI in single weekly payment.
  • Medicaid & CHIP: States may not use these benefits in determining income.
  • The week waiting period is lifted.

Rebates & Credits.

  • Based tax filing (2018/2019). If not filed, they based on SSA benefit assessment. Must complete SSA-1099 or RRB-1099
  • Credit allowance for $1200/individual ($2400/joint filers) earning up to $75,000 (single filer) or $112,500 for head of household. 5% adjusted reduction based on AGI for income $75,001 but not exceed $99,999. After which, no credit will be issued.
  • Child Credit per qualifying child in the amount of $500 per qualifying child. Qualifying child should be reflected in filed tax return. Child cannot be claimed by another household (via tax return).

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