Milpitas Unified School District

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​Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
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The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) is part of the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For information and FAQ's about FFCRA please use the links provided. Information and FAQ's

• California Paid Family Leave
• Leave for Non-MUSD Employees
• COVID-19 and the Family and Medical Leave Act Questions and Answers - US Department of Labor
• COVID-19 Worker Resources - California Employment Development Department

Starting Monday, April 20, the Employment Development Department (EDD) will launch a new call center that will operate 7 days a week from 8AM to 8PM. The Unemployment Insurance Branch will be upstaffed with 1,340 employees, including 740 EDD employees and 600 employees from across state government.

The EDD will also stand up a one-stop shop for individuals applying for unemployment insurance and the new federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program starting April 28. PUA benefits are distinct from unemployment benefits and cover the self-employed, employees who lack sufficient work history, gig workers, and independent contractors. PUA benefits will be issued within 24-48 hours instead of the traditional 21 days for regular unemployment claims.

As we approach the end of the month, rent is top of mind for many. The countywide moratorium on “no-fault” evictions and evictions for non-payment of rent for tenants who have incurred substantial income loss and/or substantial out-of-pocket medical expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic is still in effect.  This moratorium covers all 15 cities and unincorporated areas, and it protects both residential as well as small business tenants. The County has provided some guidance and FAQs.

Landlords who chose to initiate an eviction for non-payment of rent or a no-fault cause during the moratorium, must provide tenants with a written notice of the reason for the eviction and notice of the tenants’ rights when serving the notice of termination while providing resources for rental assistance programs.

Tenants can use this form to provide their landlord with documentation of substantial income loss and/or substantial out-of-pocket medical expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and are encouraged to do so as soon as possible.

The Governor also announced a $75 million Disaster Relief Fund for undocumented immigrants who are ineligible for relief benefits. Starting next month, approximately 150,000 undocumented adult Californians will receive a one-time cash benefit of $500 per adult with a cap of $1,000 per household. Funds will be dispersed through a community-based model of regional nonprofits with expertise and experience serving undocumented communities.
 
Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR), a network of foundations focused on immigration issues, has also committed to raising $50 million to support direct financial assistance to families of undocumented immigrants through the California Immigrant Resilience Fund. California has developed an immigrant resource guide to provide information about COVID-19 related assistance, including public benefits, that are available to immigrant Californians.
 
Read the full press release here. 

The Federal CARES Act Economic Impact Payments (also known as stimulus checks) has begun and will be distributed automatically, with no action required for most people. Those who filed their taxes 2018 or 2019, should automatically receive a payment. However, some taxpayers who typically do not file returns will need to submit a simple tax return to receive the economic impact payment. Residents can check their payment status on the "Economic Impact Payments" information page from the IRS. More information can be found on  the "Economic Impact Payments: What You Need to Know" page from the IRS. 

Filers:
Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or 2018 will automatically receive an economic impact payment of up to $1,200 for individuals or $2,400 for married couples and up to $500 for each qualifying child.

Tax filers with adjusted gross income up to $75,000 for individuals and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns will receive the full payment. For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$150,000 thresholds. Single filers with income exceeding $99,000 and $198,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible. Social Security recipients who are otherwise not required to file a tax return are also eligible and will not be required to file a return. 

Non-Filers:
Residents who did not file income taxes in the last two years can use the IRS "Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info Here" application to receive their stimulus check. This tool provides a simple, easy option for people who either don’t need to file a Federal income tax return or with too little income to file. For more information, see the Frequently Asked Questions provided by Free File Fillable Forms, the certified IRS partner that is managing the tool.

In the coming weeks, Treasury plans to develop a web-based portal for individuals to provide their banking information to the IRS online, so that individuals can receive payments immediately as opposed to checks in the mail.

California Small Business Relief Payment Plans: Effective April 2, 2020, small business taxpayers, those with less than $5 million in taxable annual sales, can take advantage of a 12-month, interest-free, payment plan for up to $50,000 of sales and use tax liability. Payment plan requests can be made through an online portal coming soon.
 
Paycheck Protection Program: Congress passed a fourth funding relief package that provides additional funding for some already established CARES Act programs. Small businesses with 500 or fewer employees—including nonprofits, self-employed individuals, sole proprietorships, and independent contractors—can secure funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Funds are provided in the form of loans that will be fully forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. Small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply starting April 3. Independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply starting April 10. Businesses are encouraged to apply as quickly as possible because there is a funding cap. Small businesses can find a lender near them here.
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Employee Retention Credit: The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service have launched the Employee Retention Credit, designed to encourage businesses to keep employees on their payroll. The refundable tax credit is 50% of up to $10,000 in wages paid by an eligible employer whose business has been financially impacted by COVID-19. The credit is available to all employers regardless of size, including tax-exempt organizations, except for government entities and small businesses who take small business loans. Qualifying employers must fall into one of two categories: 1) business is fully or partially suspended by government order due to COVID-19 during the calendar quarter, or 2) gross receipts are below 50% of the comparable quarter in 2019. The amount of the credit is 50% of qualifying wages paid up to $10,000 in total.
 
Open for Business Hub: A listing of technology companies that are helping small businesses by enabling remote work throughout this period.

 

The County encourages everyone who wants or needs a test to get tested. Employees who have frequent contact with the public, such as grocery store clerks, utility workers, healthcare workers, first responders, or food supply workers are especially recommended to get tested. 
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We hope that you will continue to help us get this testing message out to your constituents by sharing the County’s testing portal at sccgov.org/cv19testing. 

#SCCPublicHealth launched an updated version of its testing website (sccFreeTest.org) for residents to find their way to free testing for COVID-19. The site allows users to choose testing sites based on whether they have a primary care doctor or if they need to use one of the community testing sites. Residents can find testing sites using an interactive map as well. The site also provides information about the testing process, a list of symptoms, and informational resource numbers for residents without health insurance. 

​All frontline workers who regularly interact with members of the public are highly encouraged to get tested once a month, including grocery, restaurant, healthcare, construction, transit, public safety, and other employees. All residents with symptoms, and anyone without symptoms who has been exposed to someone who was confirmed to have COVID-19, should also be tested.

The City of San José’s Environmental Services Department has provided tips to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 to recycling drivers and sorters during this time. These include, throwing away used masks and gloves in the garbage and holding cardboard or other recyclable materials to the following week if they do not fit in the recycling cart. More information can be found ​​here.

Though we don’t know the timing of when some industries will reopen, the following companies and organizations have shared playbooks or portions thereof to help others in their planning efforts for future phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.  As always, state and local health orders and guidance should be followed. Available PDFs are below.
 

• Kroger:  Sharing What We’ve Learned: A Blueprint for Businesses
• FEMA:  Exercise Starter Kit for Workshop on Reconstituting Operations
• Ford:  Return to Work Manufacturing Playbook
• Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority:  COVID-19 Recovery/Safety Plan
• Lear:  Safe Work Playbook
• National Retail Federation:  Operation Open Doors Checklist  
• Center for Agriculture Health and Safety:  Meat Processing Facility COVID-19 Playbook
• Marsh Risk Consulting:  COVID-19 Playbook for Restaurants
• Toyota Motor North America:  COVID-19 Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan
• International Council of Shopping Centers:  COVID-19 Re-Opening Best Practices​​

In accordance with the County's Recreation Guidance and Facilities order, Santa Clara County Parks is pleased to announce the reopening of low risk park activities including golf courses, archery ranges, and disc golf courses.

To keep these areas open, park users must:

• stay at home when feeling sick or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms,
• recreate alone or with members of the same household only,
• not use parks or range/course facilities for social gatherings,
• practice safe social distancing of 6-feet at all times, and
• use face masks when able.

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More information as well as links to safety protocols and wide-trail maps can be found in the latest Santa Clara County Parks newsletter.

An unfortunate side effect to community tensions around COVID-19 is a rise in hate crimes. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen has released a Pubic Service Announcment (PSA) condemning these acts of violence and encouraging victims and witnesses to contact their local law enforcement agencies to report them. There are translations in Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese. An unfortunate side effect to community tensions around COVID-19 is a rise in hate crimes. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen has released a PSA condemning these acts of violence and encouraging victims and witnesses to contact their local law enforcement agencies to report them. There are translations in Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

• ​​​Third Federal COVID-19 Package Letter  - County of Santa Clara