Unemployment insurance program updates
Hoosiers receiving regular unemployment insurance benefits have begun seeing the additional $600 weekly payment from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program, ahead of the announced date of April 20, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD).
The vast majority of claimants will see payments being made this week, the DWD reported. Vouchers must be filed each week in order to continue to receive benefits. It is recommended to file the vouchers on a Tuesday or after during the week in order to take stress off the system that often occurs on Mondays.
The CARES Act FPUC provides $600 weekly. FPUC is payable for any week of unemployment until July 31. The DWD will pay this benefit retroactively to March 29. The $600 FPUC benefit is taxable and is subject to child support withholding, the DWD reported.
Another program, the CARES Act Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, creates temporary federal unemployment insurance for people not otherwise eligible for unemployment insurance benefits, including the self-employed, independent contractors, gig economy workers, those seeking part-time employment and people lacking sufficient work history, but who would be able to work and looking for work were it not due to COVID-19.
The PUA program required an entire new system to be designed and built to process benefit claims. The DWD is integrating the new system into its current system so that these benefits can be provided. PUA applications were to be available in Uplink by April 24 to those who have already applied for and been denied regular benefits. The DWD will be able to begin making PUA payments in May.
In addition to the FPUC and FPUA programs, the CARES Act also provides the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, which is an additional 13 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits once benefits are exhausted for traditional claimants. This program is not yet available. Once available, eligible claimants will access weekly vouchers through the Uplink system.
The claims week runs from Sunday through Saturday.
Information on the new UI programs can be found at unemployment.in.gov.
Small businesses can apply for more PPP funds
The Indiana Bankers Association is urging small businesses that have not already applied for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds to contact their banks now. Last week, the president and legislators agreed to provide more than $300 billion in additional PPP funds. They are anticipated to run out more quickly than initial funding, which was depleted within two weeks.
PPP loans, a provision of the CARES Act, allow small businesses to make payroll throughout the COVID-19 shutdown, preventing layoffs and saving jobs. Employees benefit by continuing to receive pay during temporary business closings. Loans are backed by the Small Business Administration and forgivable if at least 75 percent of dollars received are applied toward payroll.
The original round of $350 billion in PPP funding, first made available on April 3, was depleted by April 16.
Small businesses of up to 500 employees are advised to prepare now for the application process with assistance from their banks. There are some new parameters in this second round of funding, which banks can help small businesses address.
For more information on the Paycheck Protection Program, visit sba.gov/paycheckprotection.
Relief available for humanities organizations
Nonprofit organizations that provide public humanities programming are able to apply for funding relief due to COVID-19. Grants will range from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the size of the organization’s budget and can be used only for general operating support.
Funding, administered by Indiana Humanities, has been provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act economic stabilization plan appropriated by Congress. More than $500,000 will be awarded to Indiana humanities organizations.
The deadline for application is Friday, May 8. Award notifications will be made Friday, May 22.
Only tax-exempt organizations whose core mission is to provide public humanities programs may apply. This includes (but is not limited to) libraries and archives; historical societies/heritage groups; museums (with a humanities focus); historical homes and sites; and other nonprofits whose core mission centers on developing and implementing humanities programming.
Groups that do not offer strong humanities programming, as well as religious organizations, government agencies, K-12 school and colleges and universities, will be ineligible.
A webinar will be offered on April 29. For more information or to register for the webinar, visit IndianaHumanities.org/CARES.
Centerstone providing services during pandemic
Centerstone is now providing most mental health services via telephone or telehealth (video) so that those in need continue to have access to addiction and counseling services during the COVID-19 crisis.
For information or appointments, call 800-344-8802.
The number for the 24-hour crisis line is 800-832-5442.
