In response to the novel coronavirus, aka COVID-19, outbreak, President Trump has signed into law emergency legislation known as the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to assist American families and businesses.
The intent of the new law is to provide emergency paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave, as well as additional funding to food assistance and unemployment programs, in response to COVID-19. According to Pew Research, almost a quarter of American workers do not have paid sick leave. Many of these people work for small businesses that employ between 1 and 100 employees. Likewise, the US doesn’t have nationally mandated paid family and medical leave.
Because this is an additional cost for small businesses, the FFCRA also provides some exemptions and tax credits for those who qualify. These benefits and credits are also available to the self-employed and gig workers, although the FFCRA has a few extra requirements for demonstrating that such workers comply with the rules.
For a basic overview of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and it's requirements, click here.
