Small Business Unemployment | Coronavirus Update March 17

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

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The World Health Organization situation report yesterday reported 167,511 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 6,606 deaths across 152 countries/territories/areas. 

Millions are under lockdown in Europe.

The

4,226 total (confirmed and presumptive) COVID-19 cases and 75 deaths across 49 states. This is more than double the 1,629 cases reported on Friday, March 13. 

37 states in the US have closed their public schools.

Yesterday, US

to slow the epidemic. The President recommended

; using drive-thrus, takeout, or delivery instead of eating in restaurants and bars; avoiding “discretionary travel”; and not visiting nursing homes or other long-term care facilities where there are older, high-risk individuals. 

Perhaps the biggest policy change was the

The President’s guidance also recommends schools should be closed in and around areas with evidence of community transmission and that “bars, restaurants, food courts, gyms, and other indoor and outdoor venues where groups of people congregate” should be closed in states with evidence of community transmission.

As we heard yesterday, The San Francisco Bay area in California ordered a “

” scheduled to end on April 7 (3 weeks). The order directs residents of the San Francisco Bay area to remain in their homes, except for designated “essential activities,” and it aims to build on more traditional social distancing measures. 

Those who perform designated essential functions in the community are permitted to continue working, and we are starting to see the lists of what businesses are considered essential. Notably, the list DOES include plumbers, electricians, and other service providers that keep businesses running.

Those who perform designated essential functions in the community are permitted to continue working. Here’s the full list of businesses that will continue functioning over the next few weeks in the Bay Area:

Pennsylvania’s governor announce a shutdown of non-essential businesses. Again there was confusion over what businesses are affected. Governor Tom Wolf’s office released a statement Monday night clarifying the shutdown.

The following essential businesses will remain open in PA:

Your best resource is starting at

, then Find Local help, then Unemployment Benefits

The U.S. Department of Labor has issued guidance to the states instructing state agencies to apply existing unemployment law flexibly related to Coronavirus.  The fastest way to file a claim is to apply for unemployment benefits online. 

However, most states provide partial benefits to individuals whose work hours have been reduced through no fault or choice of their own.

Many states also cover employees who have lost their full-time job and have partially replaced the lost income with one or more part-time jobs. Like if they went to work at a grocery store or did some delivery during this time. Some states even cover individuals who were working two or more part-time jobs and lost one of these jobs.

Eligible workers need to meet the requirements within their state for benefits.

But you as an employer have other options besides a layoff. 

Let’s think about the company you want to have when we get through this?

Furloughs are a form of temporary layoff that may consist of a complete stoppage of work or reduced work hours over a period of time (for example, a reduction of one day a week for a year).

Employers who need to keep operating on a less-than-full time basis can request a status known as “Partial” for their employees; work search while on unemployment is waived if:

In the event of a temporary layoff when the employer plans to rehire a laid off employee (or group of employees), we may approve a request to place the worker or group of workers on standby. Standby waives the job search requirements while workers are collecting unemployment benefits during the approved standby period.

NYS is waiving the 7-Day waiting period for Unemployment Insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus closures or quarantines. NYS does have partial benefits available if your hours are reduced.

If your employer reduces your hours against your will, you may be eligible for partial benefits.

Layoffs are due to lack of work, not your work performance, so you may be eligible for benefits. For example, the employer has no more work available, has eliminated your position, or has closed the business. If you are working but your employer reduced your hours, you may be eligible for benefits. If your employment has been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19), apply for benefits either online at any time using Unemployment Benefits Services or by calling TWC’s Tele-Center at 800-939-6631 from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Central Time Monday through Friday.

If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim. UI provides partial wage replacement benefit payments to workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced, through no fault of their own. 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. However, they must remain able and available and ready to work during their unemployment for each week of benefits claimed and meet all other eligibility criteria. Eligible individuals can receive benefits that range from $40-$450 per week.

The

waives the one-week unpaid waiting period, so you can collect UI benefits for the first week you are out of work. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.

Termination process:

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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.

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