BELLO / WELSH LLP NEWS & ALERTS

The information on this blog, and the materials published on this website generally, are provided by Bello Welsh for informational purposes only and should not be viewed as legal advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt of it does not constitute, a lawyer-client relationship.  We strongly recommend that readers seek specific legal counsel before taking any actions that could have legal implications. 

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program under the CARES Act

By Bello Welsh LLP On April 4, 2020, the Department of Labor published Unemployment Insurance Guidance Letter (“UIPL”) 15-20, which includes implementing and operating instructions for the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (“FPUC”) Program provided for as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act of 2020. In short, the FPUC Program provides […]

FFCRA: Intersection of Emergency Paid Sick Leave, Paid E- FMLA, and FMLA Leave

By Bello Welsh LLP As described in detail in our prior Alert, the federal government signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to help workers impacted by the current COVID-19 health emergency.  Under the FFCRA, employees of businesses of fewer than 500 employees may be eligible for paid sick leave or paid […]

COVID-19: Department of Labor Issues Regulations Implementing the Families First Coronavirus Response Act’s New Emergency Paid Leave Requirements

By Bello Welsh LLP The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), enacted on March 18, 2020, creates two new emergency paid leave requirements related to the COVID-19 pandemic: up to two weeks of paid sick leave and up to twelve weeks of expanded FMLA (e-FMLA) leave, ten of which are paid.  Bello Welsh previously posted […]

New COVID-19 Tax Credit Guidance available from the IRS

By Bello Welsh LLP The IRS has issued a set of Frequently Asked Questions relevant to the tax credits available for payments made by employers to employees taking leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), enacted on March 18, 2020.  Among other things, this guidance states that if an eligible employer that is […]

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act): What Employers Need to Know

By Bello Welsh LLP The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed March 27, 2020, estimated at $2 trillion, includes billions of dollars in assistance to individuals and businesses of all sizes.  The following describes highlights of the historic legislation relevant to most U.S. employers: Emergency EIDL Grants: The CARES Act adds fast […]

Forgivable Small Business Loans Available Pursuant to the Keeping American Workers Paid and Employed Act (under the CARES Act)

By Bello Welsh LLP In response to the COVID-19 emergency, the federal government has passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) which, among numerous other provisions, makes available forgivable loans for small businesses impacted by COVID-19.[1] Such loans may be used toward payroll costs, as well as covered mortgage, rent, […]

COVID-19: Expanded Unemployment Insurance Eligibility and Benefits Available Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)

In response to the COVID-19 emergency, the federal government has passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) which includes provisions that significantly expand eligibility for unemployment benefits and increase available unemployment compensation. These changes are in addition to the recent changes made to the unemployment insurance program in Massachusetts, as […]

COVID-19 Challenges: A Q&A for Employers [UPDATED]

By Bello Welsh LLP Organizations are facing unprecedented challenges as the result of COVID-19.  The virus’s impact on the workplace is significant and implicates a host of issues under employment law.  Additionally, on March 18, 2020, the federal government passed a new law, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), that imposes new obligations on […]

COVID-19: Families First Coronavirus Response Act Signed Into Law [UPDATED]

On March 18, 2020, President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the “Act”), which aims to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by, among other things, providing a limited period of paid sick leave for employees affected by COVID-19 and expanding the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”) for a public health […]

COVID-19: Changes to Massachusetts Unemployment Insurance Program

By Bello Welsh LLP In response to the COVID-19 emergency, there have been several key changes made to the eligibility and work search requirements for unemployment insurance. The following summarizes the changes applicable to impacted claimants in Massachusetts, and highlights additional changes that could be implemented as a result of the federal legislation that was […]

COVID-19: Department of Labor Issues Guidance on Families First Coronavirus Response Act

By Bello Welsh LLP The Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division has issued materials providing guidance (the “DOL Guidance”) on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”).  These materials, which include Q&A documents and fact sheets for employers and employees, can be found here.  The same page also includes links to the notices that […]

COVID-19: DOL Publishes Required Poster Regarding Rights Under FFCRA

The United States Department of Labor has published the new required notice relating to paid sick leave and expanded FMLA under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).  The poster may be found here.   FAQs about this required notice may be found here.  Importantly now with most workplaces operating on a remote basis, an […]