COVID-19 – Small Business Resources & Updates
Below you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions and the links to important government resources to help your business through this unprecedented time. ConnectPay is actively taking steps to ensure the safety of our teams and the continuity of our operations.
If you have an immediate need, please contact your CSR, or call the main line at
(978) 450-2900
SBA PPP Loan Forgiveness Application Information
Loan Application PDF
PPP Loan Tracking Spreadsheet
Resources and Helpful Links
- CDC Interim Guidance for Employers
- COVID-19 Prevention
- COVID-19 Executive Orders by State
- DOL Guidance on Unemployment During COVID-19
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act Poster
- Families First: Questions & Answers
- IRS Coronavirus Tax Relief
- OSHA Guide to Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19
State Specific Resources
ConnectPay HR Resource Center
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Small Business Disaster Loan Assistance Available in my state?
Is Michigan offering unemployment benefits for workers affected by Coronavirus?
As of March 16th, 2020, Governor Gretchen Whitmer temporarily extended eligibility for unemployment benefits effective immediately, and until Tuesday April 14th. Click here for more.
How do my employees file for unemployment?
Each state has it’s own unemployment agency, and they can contact them to file a claim directly. They should mention that they were let go due to the Corona virus, as some states are starting to put measures in place to deal with this.
Is Massachusetts offering unemployment assistance to workers affected by COVID-19?
From 3/15/20 Press Release on MA.gov “To assist individuals who cannot work due to the impact of COVID-19, the administration is filing emergency legislation that will allow new claims to be paid more quickly by waiving the one week waiting period for unemployment benefits.”
Unemployment Assistance: The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) and the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA), in coordination with the US Department of Labor (USDOL), are taking a series of actions to assist workers and employers.
For current unemployment claims:
• All requirements regarding attending seminars at the MassHire career centers have been suspended.
• Missing deadlines due to effects of COVID-19 will be excused under DUA’s good cause provision.
• All appeal hearings will be held by telephone only.
The Department of Labor issued guidance to the states instructing state agencies to apply existing law flexibly. Under the DOL guidance, DUA may now pay unemployment benefits if a worker is quarantined due to an order by a civil authority or medical professional or leaves employment due to reasonable risk of exposure or infection or to care for a family member and does not intend to or is not allowed to return to work. The worker need not provide medical documentation and need only be available for work when and as able.
To assist individuals who cannot work due to the impact of COVID-19, the administration is filing emergency legislation that will allow new claims to be paid more quickly by waiving the one week waiting period for unemployment benefits.
EOLWD and DUA are also filing emergency regulations that will allow people impacted by COVID-19 to collect unemployment if their workplace is shut down and expects to reopen in four or fewer weeks. The following conditions apply:
• Workers must remain in contact with their employer during the shutdown.
• Workers must be available for any work their employer may have for them that they are able to do.
• An employer may request to extend the period of the covered shut-down to eight weeks, and workers will remain eligible for the longer period under the same conditions described above.
• If necessary, DUA may extend these time periods for workers and employers.
Employers who are impacted by COVID-19 may request up to a 60-day grace period to file quarterly reports and pay contributions.
The pending federal legislation proposes further relief including additional money for unemployment benefits, and relief to employers for charges related to unemployment benefits paid due to COVID-19.
Unemployment Assistance: The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) and the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA), in coordination with the US Department of Labor (USDOL), are taking a series of actions to assist workers and employers.
For current unemployment claims:
• All requirements regarding attending seminars at the MassHire career centers have been suspended.
• Missing deadlines due to effects of COVID-19 will be excused under DUA’s good cause provision.
• All appeal hearings will be held by telephone only.
The Department of Labor issued guidance to the states instructing state agencies to apply existing law flexibly. Under the DOL guidance, DUA may now pay unemployment benefits if a worker is quarantined due to an order by a civil authority or medical professional or leaves employment due to reasonable risk of exposure or infection or to care for a family member and does not intend to or is not allowed to return to work. The worker need not provide medical documentation and need only be available for work when and as able.
To assist individuals who cannot work due to the impact of COVID-19, the administration is filing emergency legislation that will allow new claims to be paid more quickly by waiving the one week waiting period for unemployment benefits.
EOLWD and DUA are also filing emergency regulations that will allow people impacted by COVID-19 to collect unemployment if their workplace is shut down and expects to reopen in four or fewer weeks. The following conditions apply:
• Workers must remain in contact with their employer during the shutdown.
• Workers must be available for any work their employer may have for them that they are able to do.
• An employer may request to extend the period of the covered shut-down to eight weeks, and workers will remain eligible for the longer period under the same conditions described above.
• If necessary, DUA may extend these time periods for workers and employers.
Employers who are impacted by COVID-19 may request up to a 60-day grace period to file quarterly reports and pay contributions.
The pending federal legislation proposes further relief including additional money for unemployment benefits, and relief to employers for charges related to unemployment benefits paid due to COVID-19.
