The Following State and Federal Resources Are Available to Employees Affected by Coronavirus
Our employees are our most valuable assets. As we look ahead to the immediate future, here are some state and federal resources available to employees to help support them over the coming days.
City of Long Beach
Workforce Development Hotline – Employment Assistance
Employers may contact the hotline for assistance accessing support resources for their employees.
California Employment Development Department
UI Work Sharing Program – Staff Reduction Alternatives
This program allows employers to seek an alternative to layoffs — retaining their trained employees by reducing their hours and wages that can be partially offset with UI benefits.
Unemployment Insurance – Reduced Work Hours
Available if an employee’s hours are reduced or operations are shut down due to COVID-19. Workers who are temporarily unemployed due to COVID-19 and expected to return to work with their employer within a few weeks are not required to actively seek work each week, with certain provisions.
Unemployment Insurance – School Closures
Available if an employee’s child’s school is closed, and they must miss work to provide care. Eligible employees must have no other care options and be unable to continue working their normal hours remotely.
Disability Insurance – Sick or Quarantined
Available if an employee is unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional).
Paid Family Leave – Caregiving
Available if an employee is unable to work because they are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional).
California Franchise Tax Board
Delayed Filing – State Taxes
Individual filers have a 60-day extension and can pay their taxes by June 15. The State Franchise Tax Board will also waive interest and any late filing or late payment penalties that would otherwise apply. Taxpayers claiming the special relief should write COVID-19 in black ink at the top of the tax return to alert FTB of the special extension period.
Internal Revenue Service
Delayed Filing – Federal Taxes
Today, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that the Internal Revenue Service will give filers 90 days to pay income taxes due on up to $1 million in tax owed. During that three-month deferral period, taxpayers won’t be subject to interest and penalties.
California Department of Industrial Relations
Commission Guidance – Taking Time Off
According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, employees should use paid sick leave when taking time off from work as a result of contracting COVID-19. Should they exhaust their paid sick leave, they may use other forms of paid leave. An employer cannot require an employee to use paid sick leave. If the worker decides to use paid sick leave, the employer can require they take a minimum of two hours of paid sick leave. The determination of how much paid sick leave will be used is up to the employee.
California Department of Community Services and Development
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program – Financial/Energy Assistance
The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) provides one-time financial assistance to help balance an eligible household’s utility bill
California Hotel & Lodging Association
Rx Aid Prescription Assistance – Medical Assistance
All LBHA members and member employees are eligible to get pharmacy discounts through this program.
If you have a questions, please contact mail@lbhospitality.com.