Service companies are the backbone of the economy and Housecall Pro is committed to doing everything we can to help during the Coronavirus pandemic.
I hope you find the resources below helpful. Please share this email with other home services companies.
Sincerely,
Ian Heidt
CEO, Housecall Pro
Hosted by Mel Fairleigh, SVP of People at Housecall Pro
Get your employment questions answered.
Register here:
Join this group
_____________________________________________
READ THE UPDATE --> keep scrolling
_____________________________________________
The WHO COVID-19 Situation Report for March 29 reported 634,835 confirmed COVID-19 cases (63,159 new) and 29,891 deaths (3,398 new) globally. Global reported COVID-19 cases have nearly doubled (and deaths more than doubled) since March 23—332,930 cases and 14,509 deaths—less than a week ago.
The
122,653 total (confirmed and presumptive) COVID-19 cases and 2,112 deaths nationwide on March 29.
Today, the CDC reported 140,904 cases (18,251 new) and 2,405 deaths (293 new). Of these cases, 97.7% do not have an identified exposure—travel-related or close contact of a known case—and are still under investigation. The United States now has the most reported COVID-19 cases of any country, followed by Spain (85,195 cases) and Italy (75,528 cases). The United States has reported approximately 50% more cases than China, but only 64% of the deaths (81,470 cases and 3,304 deaths in China).
The
is reporting 144,672 US cases and 2,575 deaths as of 12:00pm on March 30.
is compiling national-level COVID-19 incidence data to track the epi curves in real time.
On Friday, March 27, US President Donald Trump signed the CARES Act, the “phase 3” COVID-19 response and funding package containing economic stimulus measures.
Sunday, President Trump announced that the national guidelines regarding social distancing measures would remain in effect until the end of April. What was announced initially as the White House’s “15-Day Plan” was set to expire today, but after evaluating the US epidemic, the White House determined that the measures needed to remain in place in order to slow transmission across the country.
The US government invoked the Defense Production Act (DPA) for the first time, reportedly after negotiations with General Motors to produce ventilators stalled last week.
Additionally, President Trump delegated additional authorities under the DPA to the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, including the ability to provide loans necessary to increase production of necessary resources and authority to coordinate the nationwide production and distribution of medical resources, including materials and services
The US CDC has not historically issued travel advisories for travel within the United States; however, it issued a travel advisory over the weekend for New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. This travel advisory “urges residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days,” essentially asking residents of this affected area to avoid traveling elsewhere.
In addition to the federal travel guidance, several states have implemented their own travel restrictions for affected areas. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued several executive orders requiring all travelers arriving from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Louisiana to isolate or quarantine themselves for 14 days after entering Florida.
In Rhode Island, Governor Gina Raimondo issued executive orders requiring a 14-day quarantine for all travelers arriving from outside the state, including establishing checkpoints along the state’s southern border with Connecticut, which will divert all vehicles with out-of-state license plates for screening and instruction.
- What is it:
Provides small businesses with loans of up to $2 million that can help overcome the temporary loss of revenue in response to the Coronavirus.
The CARES Act waives a lot of the requirements that have prevented many businesses from getting approval on EIDL loans in the past
Most importantly, even if you are not approved for these modified EIDL loans, you can still get up to $10,000 in emergency funds in as little as 3 days after you apply for the EIDL loan.
If used for basic business operations, you will not have to pay back the $10,000
- Who’s eligible:
Businesses with fewer than 500 employees, including sole proprietorships
You can also apply for Paycheck Protection Program, you don’t have to pick one
- How do you apply:
Application is online, you do not have to go through an SBA lender
They are only accepting the first 1 million businesses that apply, so apply NOW!
- Link to resources
:
Extends state unemployment insurance by 13 weeks
Provides a four-month enhancement of benefits of an additional $600 to current state unemployment assistance
It will ensure that states can’t reduce their benefits
Encourages states to waive their initial waiting week - so individuals can get access to unemployment assistance as soon as possible.
- Who is it for:
Individuals who are:
Unemployed due to COVID-19
Partially unemployed (or furloughed) due to COVID-19
Quarantined with the expectation of returning to work
Leaving employment due to a risk of exposure, infection, or to care for a family member
This includes those that are self-employed or independent contractors
- How to apply:
Go to
, go to "Find Local Help", then "Unemployment Benefits." Be prepared to provide basic information, such as the address of your employer and the dates you worked there.
- Resources:
- What is it:
Permits small businesses to get SBA-guaranteed loans to pay salaries/wages, mortgage interest, rent and utilities
They will look at your last a year's worth of payroll and the loan amount is capped at 2 ½ times monthly payroll cost but no more than $10m.
No collateral or personal guaranty is required with interest rates around 4%
Loan will be forgiven in an amount equal to borrower’s spending during the 8-week period following origination on payroll, mortgage interest, rent and utilities
- Who’s eligible:
Businesses with 500 or fewer employees, including sole proprietorships and independent contractors
You can also apply for the Emergency Economic Disaster Loan, you don’t have to pick one
- How do you apply:
SBA loan applications should be made with an SBA-approved lender you select. Find a lender:
Link to resources:
- What is it:
This is a credit against your quarterly payroll tax payments up to 50% of wages paid to employees during the COVID-19 crisis. The credit will offset the employer portion of Social Security taxes up to a max tax credit of $5,000 per “qualified” employee
- Who’s eligible:
All employers that meet either of these two conditions: (1) Business Disruption Clause OR (2) Significant Revenue Decline Clause
- Exceptions: (1) Not eligible for tax credit if you are already participating in the Paycheck Protection Program loan; (2) Can not double count wage payments toward this credit if wages were counted towards the payroll tax credit under the Families First Act (i.e., dollar-for-dollar payroll tax credit that can be taken for paid family and medical leaves related to coronavirus).
- How do you apply:
This is a credit against your quarterly payroll tax payment to the IRS (to offset the employer portion of Social Security taxes) so no separate application.
- Link to resources:
- What is it:
If you're an employer or self-employed individual, you may defer the remainder of your 2020 Social Security payroll tax payments for 2020. (March 27th, 2020 - December 31st, 2020)
The deferred 2020 amounts will need to be paid half by the end of 2021 and the second half by the end of 2022
You will need to have your employees continue to withold Social Security from their side
- Who’s eligible:
All employers and self-employed individuals.
- Please notethat if you have received a Small Business Act Loan that will be forgiven under the CARES Act, you are not eligible for this Social Security payroll tax deferral.
- How do you apply:
No application needed
- Link to resources:
- What is it:
The government wants to provide Americans in need some cash. They will be sending money directly to qualified citizens in the next few weeks, starting the week of April 6.
It is not taxable so 100% is yours to keep.
- Who’s eligible:
Individuals earning <$75k per year receive $1,200; a reduced amount will apply for individuals earning up to $99k per year.
Married couples can earn $2,400 per year if their combined income is <$150k per year; a reduced amount will apply for married couples earning up to $198k per year.
For single parents (and others who file as "head of household), the $1,200 payment will be paid up to $112,500 per year and a reduced amount up to $136,500 per year.
Married couples or single parents will get $500 per child.
Calculated off of your most recent tax filing year either 2018 or 2019.
- How do you apply:
No action needed; will be mailed or direct deposit based on your tax history
- Link to resources:
Calculate your rebate:
- What is it
SBA will cover all loan payments on 7(a), 504 or Microloan through SBA, including principal, interest, and fees, for six months. This relief will also be available to new borrowers who take out loans within six months of the President signing the bill into law. Debt relief will cover payroll costs, mortgage or rent obligations, and utility payments if in ‘covered period’ (8 weeks after approval)
- Who’s eligible
You currently have taken out a 7(a) loan, 504 or microloan through SBA or are currently in the ‘covered’ period (8 weeks after approval)
- How do you apply:
A borrower seeking loan forgiveness will submit to the lender that is servicing the loan an application that will include:
Documentation verifying employment and payroll costs
Documentation verifying mortgage interest payments, rent payments, and utility payments
Certifications from authorized representative that all information presented is true and correct and the amount of forgiveness requested
The lender will have 60 days from submission of the application to issue a decision on the application
- Link to resources
We’re making it easy to write to your government representatives and send them a letter urging them to classify your industry as an essential service during this time of uncertainty.
_____________________________________________
Housecall Pro is offering the Coronavirus Evening Update for Home Service Businesses for informational purposes only and to foster thoughtful communication and discussion regarding the COVID-19 pandemic; Housecall Pro is not offering advisory services or otherwise advising or representing any members of the group invited to participate. Housecall Pro is not offering legal, medical or other professional advice in the Coronavirus Evening Update and makes no representations or warranties regarding the content of the Coronavirus Evening Update. Participants should obtain independent advice relating to their businesses and their particular circumstances.
_____________________________________________