As we gear up for the holiday season, and COVID-19 cases spike across the nation, don’t forget that you may be eligible for federal paid leave if you have been affected by the pandemic.
The Family First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) has provisions that may provide relief:
· Up to 80 hours of paid time off to quarantine, or if waiting for a COVID-19 test
· Up to 80 hours at 2/3 pay to care for a loved one in quarantine, or if your childcare becomes unavailable due to the pandemic
· Up to 10 additional weeks at 2/3 pay if your childcare becomes unavailable due to the pandemic
However, some workers are not eligible to receive benefits, including some health-care workers and those who work for employers with more than 500 or fewer than 50 employees.
To apply for benefits, you must provide a written request that your employer can use to apply for a tax credit to cover the cost of your wages. This benefit is currently set to expire at the end of December.
If you have questions, contact us for a free, 30-minute consultation with an employment lawyer.