Support for Employees & Employers regarding COVID-19 Community Response
Last updated: March 30, 2020, 4:55 p.m.
EMPLOYEES & DISLOCATED WORKERS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE
If you have filed an unemployment insurance application (UI), you must file a weekly claim for each week, or you will not be paid.
VEC recommends you do this on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday of each week if you remain unemployed and want to be paid for the prior week.
You can complete and submit your weekly UI payment request by calling 1-800-897-5630. You can also find more information at vec.virginia.gov.
Unemployment Insurance
For those who need to file for unemployment due to COVID-19, the best way to file is online through www.vawc.virginia.gov. While the call center number is still functioning, the wait times are higher than normal at this time due to call volume.
The filing website is mobile friendly and can be accessed from smart phones.
The website has Live Chat capability and our Centers are still accepting calls at this time if you need additional assistance.
For unemployment benefits, individuals can apply online here. The Governor has waived wait times and called for expedited processing of claims.
To determine eligibility for any and all social services programs, individuals can apply via CommonHelp or by phone at 1-855-635-4370. They are processing claims for assistance.
Virginia Career Works centers have limited access right now.
Virginia Employment Commission
Frequently Asked Questions from Workers Regarding COVID-19 (Download PDF)
General Information Flyer on Claims Related to Layoffs – March 2020 (Download PDF)
EMPLOYERS & BUSINESSES
Support for Impacted Businesses
Following a request submitted by Governor Northam on March 18, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) today approved an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration for Virginia. Small businesses and nonprofit organizations throughout the Commonwealth affected by the COVID-19 public health crisis can now apply for low-interest federal disaster loans of up to $2 million from the SBA to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other expenses. To submit a loan application through the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, please visit disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.
Businesses impacted by COVID-19 can also request to defer the payment of state sales tax due tomorrow, March 20, 2020, for 30 days. When granted, businesses will be able to file no later than April 20, 2020 with a waiver of any penalties.
The Governor has requested that the Department of Taxation to extend the due date of payment of Virginia individuals and corporate income taxes. While filing deadlines remain the same, the due date for individual and corporate income tax will now be June 1, 2020. Please note that interest will still accrue, so taxpayers who are able to pay by the original deadlines
Virginia is in the process of applying for small business administration emergency loans. Read more here.
OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES
What students can do in the wake of a natural disaster: https://www.affordablecollegesonline.org/college-resource-center/natural-disasters/
How to cope emotionally in the wake of a disaster: https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/recovering-disasters
Print and social media materials for the CDC’s Life is Better with Clean Hands campaign, which can be printed and hung around campuses and/or posted online: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/campaign.html
You’ll probably still need to go to the store and open doors. Here are 10 ways to help avoid coronavirus when you must leave the house: https://www.cnet.com/how-to/10-ways-to-help-avoid-coronavirus-when-you-have-to-leave-the-house/
Communicating about COVID-19
To help with our writing about the new coronavirus disease, called COVID-19, The Associated Press has prepared a guide based on the AP Stylebook and common usage in AP stories, found here.
The New York Times is providing free access to the most important news and useful guidance on the coronavirus outbreak to help readers understand the pandemic. Sign up with an email address to read all the articles on this page.
Online Connectivity for Students Who Lack It
- FCC agreement stating that providers will waive late fees, not cutoff service for lack of payment, and open hot-spots.
- Comcast COVID-19 response: offers free WiFi for 2 months to low income families plus all Xfinity hot-spots are free to the public during this time
- Charter Free Internet offer for 2 months
- AT&T COVID-19 response: offers open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to low income families
- Verizon COVID-19 response: no special offers, but following the FCC agreement.
- Sprint COVID-19 response: follows FCC agreement, provides unlimited data to existing customers, and, starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge (I expect others will follow).
- T-Mobile COVID-19 response: follows FCC agreement, plus unlimited data to existing customers, and, coming soon, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge (I expect others will follow).
- Altice/Suddenlink response: offers 30 MB internet to any new subscriber free for 60 days. No late fees or terminations for existing customers. Applicable to some rural localities
Didn’t Find Your Answer?
Please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to help you find the answers to your questions!