DOL Issues Initial Q&A Guidance and Fact Sheet on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

3:50 pm CST – Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Labor issued initial guidance in response to general questions posed by employers about the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (EFMLEA) and the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). Read more >>

New Resources Available through TN Dept. of Human Services for affected persons and child care businesses:

3:25 pm CST – The Tennessee Department of Human Services has released the following resources for affected persons and child care businesses: 

Financial Assistance for Child Care Providers

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is partnering with The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to make $10 million in new assistance available to help licensed childcare agencies that were impacted by the recent COVID-19 emergency. Starting Tuesday, March 24, agencies will be able to apply for grant money to recoup some of their losses and expenses. 

Funding is from the federal CCDF (Child Care & Development Fund) which is block granted to states and has been largely underutilized in recent years.

Cash Assistance for People

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is making essential financial resources available to families that have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.  Beginning 10 A.M. CST Thursday, March 26, families can begin applying, online, for up to two months of emergency cash assistance if they were employed as of March 11, 2020 and they’ve lost employment or at least 50% of their earned income as a result of the pandemic. This is in addition to any unemployment benefits members of the family may be receiving. 

The funding comes from the federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds that are block granted to states and for which TN has a large surplus.

Read more >>

Secretary DeVos Directs FSA to Stop Wage Garnishment, Collections Actions for Student Loan Borrowers, Will Refund More Than $1.8 Billion to Students, Families

1:00 pm CST – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced today that, due to the COVID-19 national emergency, the Department will halt collection actions and wage garnishments to provide additional assistance to borrowers. This flexibility will last for a period of at least 60 days from March 13, 2020. Read more >>

SBA offers guidance on Disaster loan application

12:15 pm CST – The Greater Memphis Chamber hosted a free webinar with the US Small Business Association this morning. The Chamber has compiled an FAQ with some key takeaways from the session and guidance for small businesses applying for this program. Read more >>

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UNDERSTANDING REQUIREMENTS OF SAFER IN PLACE ORDER

10:00 am CST – The Offices of the Mayor and the City’s Chief Operating Officer have made the following details clear in the context of the “Safer At Home” Executive Order issued by Mayor Jim Strickland effective on March 24 at 6 pm.  Read more >>

 

CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASES RISE TO 170 IN SHELBY COUNTY

9:45 am CST – The Shelby County Health Department has confirmed 170 cases of COVID-19 with 176 confirmed cases in the Memphis metro area. 667 confirmed cases have been reported in the state of Tennessee. Read more >>

 

Visit our COVID-19 Business Resources Page for information to help Memphis area businesses minimize impact related to COVID-19. 

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MARCH 24 UPDATES
MARCH 23 UPDATES
March 22 Updates
March 21 Updates

 

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Visit our COVID-19 Business Resources Page for information to help Memphis area businesses minimize impact related to COVID-19. 

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