Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)  Including in recently passed Federal legislation is expanded programs for self-employed individuals and others who have exhausted traditional unemployment, who need unemployment assistance resultant from COVID-19. 

If you were previously not eligible for Unemployment Insurance or Extended Benefits, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is a new option. This program will include up to 39 weeks of Unemployment Insurance & Extended Benefits retroactive to February 20.

According to the Maine Department of Labor, “Once implemented, benefits will be paid retroactively. If you have already enrolled in the current program, you should continue filing your weekly certifications.”

Also included for those that qualify for PUA, is an additional Federal benefit of $600 weekly.

It is strongly recommended due to high-demand to file your claim for benefits by going to the web site www.file4ui.com. If you do not have access to the internet, you can also call the Unemployment Claim Center at: 1-800-593-7660.
 

Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses: Also included in recent federal legislation is a new program to help small businesses in this tough time. The Paycheck Protection Programs provides 8 weeks of cash flow assistance through 100% guaranteed loans to small employers who maintain their payroll during the State of Emergency to cover payroll, interest on mortgage obligations, rent, utilities - all of of which would be forgiven. 

Loan amounts can be up to 250% of the employer's average monthly payroll for two months or eight weeks - with a $10,000,000 cap. Small businesses, self-employed, non-profits may apply. The loan is forgiven at the end of the eight-week period after you take out the loan. The covered period during which expenses can be forgiven extends from 2/15/2020 to 6/30/2020. 

If you keep all of your employees, the entirety of the loan will be forgiven. If you still lay off employees, the forgiveness will be reduced by the percent decrease in the number of employees. If your total payroll expenses on workers making less than $100,000 annually decreases by more than 25 percent, loan forgiveness will be reduced by the same amount. If you have already laid off some employees, you can still be forgiven for the full amount of your payroll cost if you rehire your employees by June 30, 2020.

You can apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) at any lending institution that is approved to participate in the program through the existing U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This could be your local bank or a nearby bank. You do not have to visit any government institution to apply for the program. You can call your bank or find SBA-approved lenders in your area through SBA’s online Lender Match tool found on www.SBA.gov.
 

Federal Small Business Economic Injury Loans: Small businesses that have been affected by the Coronavirus’ impact on the economy, they can apply for a low-interest economic injury disaster loan from the Federal Small Business Administration by going to SBA.gov/disaster or by calling (800) 659-2955. 

Rep. William Pluecker, I-Warren, represents District 95, which comprises Appleton, Hope, part of Union and Warren.