The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, is a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the 116th U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 27, 2020, in response to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

What kinds of relief does the CARES Act provide for me?

Under the CARES Act states are permitted to extend unemployment benefits by up to 13 weeks under the new Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. PEUC benefits are available for weeks of unemployment beginning after your state implements the new program and ending with weeks of unemployment ending on or before December 31, 2020. The program covers most individuals who have exhausted all rights to regular unemployment compensation under state or federal law and who are able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work as defined by state law. Importantly, the CARES Act gives states flexibility in determining whether you are “actively seeking work” if you are unable to search for work because of COVID-19, including because of illness, quarantine, or movement restrictions.

How is the CARES Act supporting small businesses?

The Paycheck Protection Program is providing small businesses with the resources they need to maintain their payroll, hire back employees who may have been laid off, and cover applicable overhead.

Is there a second round of economic COVID-19 relief?

The $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan includes a third round of $1,400 stimulus payments, topping off the $600 checks that were already approved by Congress in December 2020, and adding up to $2,000.

When did the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) ACT stimulus checks get sent out?

The IRS began rolling out Economic Impact Payments in April 2020. For most people, you won't have to do anything – the payment will be directly deposited into your bank account or sent to you by check or prepaid debit card. Be aware, however, that if it's sent by check, it might take a little longer.

CARES Act: what you need to know

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How much would I receive from the third COVID-19 relief plan payment?

President Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan includes a third round of $1,400 stimulus payments, topping off the $600 checks that were already approved by Congress in December 2020, and adding up to $2,000.

Why is my COVID-19 Economic Impact Payment being mailed even though I set up a direct deposit?

Your payment may have been sent by mail because the bank rejected the deposit. This could happen because the bank information was invalid or the bank account has been closed.

Note: You can’t change your bank information already on file with the IRS for your Economic Impact Payment. Don’t call the IRS, our phone assistors won’t be able to change your bank information, either.

What is the Pandemic Emergengy Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program that was implemented due to COVID-19?

Under the CARES Act states are permitted to extend unemployment benefits by up to 13 weeks under the new Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. PEUC benefits are available for weeks of unemployment beginning after your state implements the new program and ending with weeks of unemployment ending on or before December 31, 2020. The program covers most individuals who have exhausted all rights to regular unemployment compensation under state or federal law and who are able to work, available for work, and actively seeking work as defined by state law. Importantly, the CARES Act gives states flexibility in determining whether you are “actively seeking work” if you are unable to search for work because of COVID-19, including because of illness, quarantine, or movement restrictions.

Is there additional relief available if my regular unemployment compensation benefits do not provide adequate support?

The new law creates the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program (FPUC), which provides an additional $600 per week to individuals who are collecting regular UC (including Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) and Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX), PEUC, PUA, Extended Benefits (EB), Short Time Compensation (STC), Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA), Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA), and payments under the Self Employment Assistance (SEA) program). This benefit is available for weeks of unemployment beginning after the date on which your state entered into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor and ending with weeks of unemployment ending on or before July 31, 2020.

Can I still have sex during the coronavirus pandemic?

If both of you are healthy and feeling well, are practicing social distancing and have had no known exposure to anyone with COVID-19, touching, hugging, kissing, and sex are more likely to be safe.

What kinds of relief does the CARES Act provide for people who are about to exhaust regular unemployment benefits?

Under the CARES Act states are permitted to extend unemployment benefits by up to 13 weeks under the new Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program.

Can I get unemployment assistance if I am partially employed under the CARES Act?

A gig economy worker, such as a driver for a ride-sharing service, is eligible for PUA provided that he or she is unemployed, partially employed, or unable or unavailable to work for one or more of the qualifying reasons provided for by the CARES Act.

Is it optional for employers to adopt the distribution and loan rules of section 2202 of the CARES Act?

It is optional for employers to adopt the distribution and loan rules of section 2202 of the CARES Act. An employer is permitted to choose whether, and to what extent, to amend its plan to provide for coronavirus-related distributions and/or loans that satisfy the provisions of section 2202 of the CARES Act. Thus, for example, an employer may choose to provide for coronavirus-related distributions but choose not to change its plan loan provisions or loan repayment schedules. Even if an employer does not treat a distribution as coronavirus-related, a qualified individual may treat a distribution that meets the requirements to be a coronavirus-related distribution as coronavirus-related on the individual's federal income tax return. See section 4.A of Notice 2005-92.

How many weeks of COVID-19 unemployment insurance benefits am I entitled to?

The amount and duration of benefits you can receive also depends on the law in the state where you last worked. The state will determine your eligibility for any additional federal benefits. Contact your state unemployment insurance agency for more information.

Do I have to pay the 10% additional tax on a coronavirus-related distribution from my retirement plan or IRA?

No, the 10% additional tax on early distributions does not apply to any coronavirus-related distribution.

Can I be forced to work during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Generally, your employer may require you to come to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, some government emergency orders may affect which businesses can remain open during the pandemic. Under federal law, you are entitled to a safe workplace. Your employer must provide a safe and healthful workplace.

What if an employee refuses to come to work for fear of infection?

• Your policies, that have been clearly communicated, should address this.
• Educating your workforce is a critical part of your responsibility.
• Local and state regulations may address what you have to do and you should align with them.

Who do I do if my employer refuses to provide me sick leave during the COVID-19 pandemic?

If you believe that your employer is covered and is improperly refusing you paid sick leave under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act, the Department encourages you to raise and try to resolve your concerns with your employer. Regardless of whether you discuss your concerns with your employer, if you believe your employer is improperly refusing you paid sick leave, you may call 1-866-4US-WAGE (1-866-487-9243).

Are individuals eligible for PUA if they quit their job because of the COVID-19 pandemic?

There are multiple qualifying circumstances related to COVID-19 that can make an individual eligible for PUA, including if the individual quits his or her job as a direct result of COVID-19. Quitting to access unemployment benefits is not one of them.

Am I eligible for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Each state sets its own unemployment insurance benefits eligibility guidelines, but you usually qualify if you:

• Are unemployed through no fault of your own. In most states, this means you have to have separated from your last job due to a lack of available work.
• Meet work and wage requirements. You must meet your state’s requirements for wages earned or time worked during an established period of time referred to as a "base period." (In most states, this is usually the first four out of the last five completed calendar quarters before the time that your claim is filed.)
• Meet any additional state requirements. Find details of your own state’s program.

Can self-employed individuals qualify for PUA benefits?

States are permitted to provide Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) to individuals who are self-employed, seeking part-time employment, or who otherwise would not qualify for regular unemployment compensation.

Who is considered to be essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Essential (critical infrastructure) workers include health care personnel and employees in other essential workplaces (e.g., first responders and grocery store workers).

What should I do if my unemployment benefits payment was mailed but the post office was unable to deliver it?

Once we receive your payment back, you may be able to provide your bank account information in Get My Payment to have your payment reissued as a direct deposit.

If this is the case, then Get My Payment will show “Need More Information,” usually two to three weeks after the payment is issued. At this point, you can enter a routing and account number for your bank account, prepaid debit card or alternative financial product that has a routing and account number associated with it.

If you do not provide account information, your payment will be reissued when we receive an updated address.

If you need to update your address, the easiest way to do it is by filing your 2020 tax return with your current address, if you haven’t already done so. The fastest way to file the return and update your address is to file the return electronically.

How do I identify the COVID-19 Economic Impact Payment (EIP) card?

The EIP Card is a debit card sent by U.S. Mail in a white envelope with the U.S. Department of the Treasury seal and a return address from "Economic Impact Payment Card.”

The card has the Visa name on the front and the issuing bank, MetaBank®, N.A., on the back. Information included with the EIP Card explains that this is your Economic Impact Payment. If you receive an EIP Card, visit EIPcard.com for more information.

Where did the IRS get my bank information for the COVID-19 stimulus check?

The bank account information in Get My Payment came from one of the following sources:

• Your 2020 tax return.
• Your 2019 tax return if your 2020 return was not processed when the IRS started issuing payments.
• Information you entered on your Non-Filer registration in 2020.
• Information you entered on Get My Payment in 2020.
• A federal agency that provides you benefits, such as: the Social Security Administration, Veteran Affairs or the Railroad Retirement Board.
• Federal records of recent payments to or from the government, where available, for those without direct deposit information on file with the IRS.