Page 5 - Work Force April 2020

An overview of the COVID-19 federal stimulus package
President Donald Trump recently signed into law a $2 trillion stimulus package to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is a summary of some provisions of the law, including how it would affect New Yorkers.
State and Local Governments
A $150 billion fund is created for state and local governments. The funding is based on population, but no state will receive a payment that is less than $1.25 billion. States must use 45 percent of their funds for local governments with populations over 500,000.
New York is expected to receive $5.1 billion for these provisions. Additionally, there is $425 billion available to cities and states (along with businesses) through the Federal Reserve.
Direct Payments to Taxpayers
The federal government will make direct cash payments to taxpayers who fall within certain income ranges. The income amounts are based on your adjusted gross income (line 8b of your most recently filed federal 1040 tax form) New Yorkers are projected to receive $15 billion under this program.
Single Tax Filers
Income Range: Up to $99,000
Cash Payment: $1,200, plus $500 for any child
that you claimed on your most recent federal tax return.
If your adjusted gross income is $75,000 or less, you will receive $1,200, plus $500 for every child who you claimed on your most recently filed federal income tax form. For single tax filers who make between $75,001-$99,000, your cash payment will be reduced by 5 percent of your adjusted gross income that is more than $75,000.
For example, a single-income filer with no kids who makes $42,000
Cash Payment: $1,200
Single-income filer with no kids who makes $85,000
Cash Payment: $700 ($10,000 of income is above $75,000. 5 percent of $10,000 is $500. $1,200 minus $500 = $700)
Married Couples
Income Range: Up to $198,000
Cash Payment: $2,400, plus $500 for any child who you claimed on your most recent federal tax return.
If your adjusted gross income is $150,000 or
below, you will receive $2,400, plus $500 for every child who you claimed on your most recently filed federal income tax form. For married couples who make between $150,001-$197,999, your cash payment will be reduced by 5 percent of your adjusted gross income that is in excess of $150,000.
For example, a married couple with two kids who make $135,000
Cash Payment: $3,400 ($2,400 plus $500 per child)
Married couple with two kids who make $185,000
Cash Payment: $1,650 ($35,000 of their income is in excess of $150,000. 5 percent of $35,000 is $1,750, which reduces their payment from $2,400 to $650, plus $500 per child).
Qualifying incomes will be based on your 2019 income tax return, if you have already filed, or your 2018 return if you have not yet filed.
The federal stimulus package also includes grants for hospitals and other health care entities; child care and other human services; education, including school districts and higher education; expanded unemployment insurance and assistance for businesses affected by the pandemic. To learn more, visit cseany.org.
New York Paid Time off for COVID-19-Related Quarantines
All public and private sector employees in New York State who are subject to a precautionary or mandatory order of quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19 are guaranteed paid leave and job protection. This law is currently in effect.
Employers are required to allow employees to use this time if they are subject to a precautionary or mandatory order of quarantine or isolation.
When they return to work, an employee is required to be restored to the same position
of employment held by the employee prior to
any leave taken. An employer cannot discharge, threaten, penalize, or in any other manner discriminate or retaliate against any employee because such employee has taken leave pursuant to this leave provision.
If an employee is subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine because they returned to the country after traveling to a country which the CDC has a level two or three travel health notice and the travel to that country was not taken as part of the employee’s employment or at the direction of their employer and the employee was provided notice of the travel health notice and limitations of this subdivision prior to such travel, they are not eligible to take leave pursuant to this law.
To get an order of precautionary or mandatory order of quarantine or isolation, you should contact your local Health Department. If you are unable
April 2020
to get an order from your Health Department, you should submit documentation from a licensed medical provider that has treated you, attesting that you qualify for the order and follow up with your local Health Department to obtain the order and submit it as soon as it is available.
Public Employees
A public employee who is subject to a precautionary or mandatory order of quarantine or isolation will be paid their regular rate of pay by their employer for 14 days. An employee will not have to use accrued sick leave. If you are a public employee who is still being paid by your employer, you will not receive any extra pay while you are on a precautionary or mandatory order of quarantine or isolation.
Private Employers
This benefit is structured in a way that any person who makes up to $150,000 per year will be kept financially whole. Unlike public employees, who pays a private sector employee will be dependent on the size of their employer (see chart). For smaller employers, paid family leave (PFL) will pay out 60 percent of a person’s wage, up to $840.70 per week; Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)
will pay out 40 percent of a person’s wage, up to $2,043.92 per week. All waiting periods for PFL and TDI are waived for this specific paid time.
COVID-19 Paid Sick Time (Quarantine, Private Sector)
Employer Size
Net Income
Employer Paid Time Off
Benefit
Other Notes
1-10
N/A
No employer paid time off, rather, will be compensated by PFL and TDI
PFL
Up to $840.70 / week
TDI
Up to $2,043.92 / week
1-10
$1 million or more in net income.
5 Employer Paid Days and then compensated by PFL and TDI until quarantine order is lifted.
Days 1-5
Full pay from employer
Days 6-14
PFL
Up to $840.70 / week
TDI
Up to $2,043.92 / week
11-99
N/A
5 Employer Paid Days and then compensated by PFL and TDI until quarantine order is lifted.
Days 1-5 Full pay from employer
Days 6-14
PFL
Up to $840.70 / week
TDI
Up to $2,043.92 / week
100- More
N/A
14 Employer Paid Days
Fully paid by employer
No loss of accrued sick leave
The Work Force 5