On March 27, the $2-trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. The bill is a good start and, while not perfect, does address many needs of our students, educators, and schools. It is intended to help stabilize workers, families, and the economy during the COVID-19 public health crisis, and is the third relief package during the coronavirus pandemic and contains many beneficial provisions. NEA is also advocating for additional stimulus funds in a fourth package.
ESPs, adjunct faculty members, and substitute teachers who are laid off or otherwise not being paid because of COVID-19 related shutdowns are covered under the CARES Act. They are also covered by the law’s paid leave provisions if they cannot work because they have COVID, have been quarantined because of possible COVID, are caring for a family member with COVID, are caring for school-aged children whose schools are closed because of COVID, etc.
In theory, yes. States could—if they want to—allow ESPs to seek unemployment benefits for periods of unemployment over the summer. Currently, however, none do. As long as that is the case, ESPs’ only possibility for getting summertime unemployment compensation would be if they had a summer job lined up, but it was cancelled or they’re unable to get to the job because of COVID.
The bill does not mention the millions of undocumented immigrants throughout the nation who are at heightened health and safety risk and cannot access the aid and benefits the CARE Act provides.
This will vary from state to state. But workers who are eligible for state or federal unemployment compensation are also eligible for temporary Pandemic Unemployment Compensation of $600 a week, through July 31, 2020.
Yes. Although these workers do not typically qualify for unemployment compensation (partly because they do not have employers that contribute to the system), they are eligible for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, as long as their states make an agreement with the Department of Labor. They are also eligible for the $600 per week Pandemic Unemployment Compensation supplement.
Workers in this position may be eligible for partial unemployment benefits through the $100 million that states are receiving to support work-sharing programs, in which employers reduce employees’ hours instead of laying employees off.
6.6 million individuals filed first-time claims for unemployment compensation in the week ending March 28; more than 3.2 million individuals filed claims in the week ending March 21. These numbers represent a 3,000-percent increase since early March, and are the highest in history. During this emergency, s tates can waive the one-week waiting periods for individuals applying for unemployment compensation. In addition, states can temporarily borrow interest-free from the federal government if this crisis strains their unemployment trust funds.
For more information, contact Sylvia Johnson, federal lobbyist, NEA Government Relations, at [email protected] .