covid-19

Vaccine Update

FACTS

RESOURCES

Unemployment Assistance

Unemployment Insurance

The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) and the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA), in coordination with the US Department of Labor (USDOL), are taking a series of actions to assist workers and employers. For current unemployment claims:

All requirements regarding attending seminars at the MassHire career centers have been suspended.
Missing deadlines due to effects of COVID-19 will be excused under DUA’s good cause provision.
All appeal hearings will be held by telephone only.

The Department of Labor issued guidance to the states instructing state agencies to apply existing law flexibly. Under the DOL guidance, DUA may now pay unemployment benefits if a worker is quarantined due to an order by a civil authority or medical professional or leaves employment due to reasonable risk of exposure or infection or to care for a family member and does not intend to or is not allowed to return to work. The worker need not provide medical documentation and need only be available for work when and as able. To assist individuals who cannot work due to the impact of COVID-19, the administration is filing emergency legislation that will allow new claims to be paid more quickly by waiving the one week waiting period for unemployment benefits. EOLWD and DUA are also filing emergency regulations that will allow people impacted by COVID-19 to collect unemployment if their workplace is shut down and expects to reopen in four or fewer weeks. The following conditions apply:

Workers must remain in contact with their employer during the shutdown.
Workers must be available for any work their employer may have for them that they are able to do.
An employer may request to extend the period of the covered shut-down to eight weeks, and workers will remain eligible for the longer period under the same conditions described above.
If necessary, DUA may extend these time periods for workers and employers.

For update information visit Department of Unemployment Insurance.

Small Business Resources

Paycheck Protection Program

The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program. Lenders may begin processing loan applications as soon as April 3, 2020. The Paycheck Protection Program will be available through June 30, 2020.Learn more here.

Express Bridge Loan Program

This program allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing and can be a term loan or used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster loan. If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan. Learn more here.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program

The SBA will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Learn more here.

Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR)

LCR has a team of legal first responders committed to helping small businesses and individuals navigate the COVID-19 crisis. They continue to host free webinars to provide legal support for business owners and have announced an effort to help individuals understand and apply forunemployment. To learn more about their efforts, click here.

SBA is focused on assisting with the continuity of operations for small business contracting programs and small businesses with federal contracts. See SBA’s Federal Contracting Guidance for Small Businesses Impacted by COVID-19.For more information on federal contracting,

visit: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-guide

More specifically:

8(a) Business Development program serves to help provide a level playing field for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people or entities, and the government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate. The 8(a) program offer and acceptance process is available nationwide, and the SBA continues to work with federal agencies to ensure maximum practicable opportunity to small businesses. 8(a) program participants should stay in touch with their Business Opportunity Specialist (BOS).
HUBZone program offers eligibility assistance every Thursday from 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET at 1-202-765-1264; access code 63068189#. Members of the HUBZone team answer questions to help firms navigate the certification process. For specific questions regarding an application, please contact the HUBZone Help Desk at hubzone@sba.gov.

If a situation occurs that will prevent small businesses with government contracts from successfully performing their contract, they should reach out to their contracting officer and seek to obtain extensions before they receive cure notices or threats of termination. The SBA’s Procurement Center Representatives can assist affected small businesses to engage with their contracting officer. Use the Procurement Center Representative Directory to connect with the representative nearest you.

SBA Massachusetts Government Contracting Team

Nadine Boone

Assistant District Director| Business Development

Office: (617) 565-8514

Cell: (617) 378-2481

nadine.boone@sba.gov

Susan Lourie

Business Opportunity Specialist

Office:(617) 565-5560

Cell:(857) 292-2598

susan.lourie@sba.gov

COVID-19 Massachusetts & City of Boston Resources

ULEM believes it is important to stay informed about COVID-19. The State of Massachusetts and City of Boston have recently made the following announcements:

Massachusetts

Need Work? Nursing Homes and Assisted Living facilities need help. Mass.gov/covid-otnw

Gov. Baker announced distribution of 200,000 masks to first responders in MA ma.gov/covid-msks

MA extends closure of K-12 schools through the end of school year, non-emergency childcare programs through 6/29. mass.gov/covid-ddju

Gov. Baker extends non-essential business closure until 5/18

MA requires residents to wear masks or face coverings in public places like grocery stores and pharmacies.

More at: mass.gov/coveryourface

Boston

All public and private schools in Mass will be closed for the remainder of the school year bostonpublicschools.org/coronavirus

The city of Boston has created a map with COVID-19 testing sites, including community health centers and hospitals. Residents are to call ahead to pre-screen and set appointment. Visit: Boston.gov/coronavirus

City is letting restaurants sell grocery items. To get started visit boston.gov/coronavirus

IMPACT

RESPONSE

Dear Urban League Family, Client-Guests, and Friends:

Due to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and as health concerns continue to grow, we want to reassure you that your Urban League is taking every precaution to promote a safe and healthy environment for our staff, volunteers, and client-guests. Our team has implemented an agency-wide response while adhering to recommendations by local health agencies and government officials.

We are committed to being your provider of choice by ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone we serve.

Our Response:

In alignment with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) levels of risk-assessment for faith-based and community organizations, we will activate the following three-tier response:

Level 1- Preparedness (Sporadic Transmission Level)

ULEM Response: Monitoring and Education

Continue to inform staff and the general public regarding the level of threat to our local community along with preventative resources.
Engage in workplace illness prevention for our employees and ancillary workforce by encouraging common-sense health precautions recommended by CDC.
In addition to our daily standard custodial services, we increased the frequency of cleaning throughout the day with an attentive focus on high-traffic areas.

Level 2 – Minimal/Moderate (Cluster Transmission Level)

ULEM Response: Social Distancing

Implement a “social distancing” policy that will stop or slow the spread of highly contagious diseases such as the coronavirus. Our social distancing response may include reduced exposure to internal and external high-traffic events, strict domestic and international travel requirements for Urban League staff, limited attendance at community gatherings, and elimination of handshaking. View handshake policy flyer here.
Prepare our team and community for the potential transition to a virtual service delivery model (Level 3), which may include limiting and/or canceling face-to-face meetings, events and traditional case management services.
The Urban League will continue to operate and our main office will remain open until further notice.

Level 3 – Substantial (Population Transmission Level)

ULEM Response: Virtual Service Delivery

The Urban League’s offices will close to the public and in accordance with our emergency preparedness plan. Program and service delivery will be conducted through a virtual model.

For the latest updates on our response to the coronavirus, visit www.ulem.org/covid19.

Tips and Resources

Please refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the City of Boston Department of Public Health for continuous updates.