Complete Story
08/26/2020
Financial Aid in Ohio, Michigan and Kentucky Start Taking Shape
Ohio State Updates: 8/19 - 8/25
Governor DeWine asked the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Board of Directors to send up to $1.5 billion in dividend payments to Ohio employers this fall. This dividend equals approximately 100% of the premiums paid in policy year 2019. Dividends like this, as well as previous ones, are possible because of strong investment returns on employer premiums, a declining number of claims each year, prudent fiscal management, and employers who work hard to improve workplace safety and reduce injury claims. If approved by the Board, this would be the second dividend of $1 billion or more since April and the third dividend since 2019. BWC anticipated providing a dividend next year, but with Board approval, they will issue it now to provide some immediate economic relief to employers amid the ongoing pandemic. Checks would be distributed by BWC in late October.
Additionally, Governor DeWine asked BWC’s Board of Directors to approve a second distribution of face coverings to Ohio employers and their workforce as part of BWC’s Protecting Ohio’s Workforce - We’ve Got You Covered program. This second round will consist of approximately 23 million masks to employers and are meant to replace any masks that have exhausted their effective use.
Governor DeWine announced that adult day care centers and senior centers may open at a reduced capacity beginning on September 21 if the facilities can meet certain safety standards outlined in a forthcoming health order.
Governor DeWine reminded Ohio citizens to complete the 2020 Census. The Census determines how $675 billion is distributed among the states and Ohio’s representation in Congress. Those who have not yet completed the census can do so at www.2020Census.gov or by calling 1-844-330-2020.
The governor continued a travel advisory for all individuals coming into Ohio from states reporting positive COVID-19 testing rates of 15% or higher. Those traveling from one of the following states should self-quarantine for 14 days at home or in a hotel: Idaho, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas. The self-quarantine recommendation applies to those who live in Ohio and to people who are traveling into Ohio from any of these states. Ohio's positivity rate, an indicator of the percentage of people who have tested positive for COVID-19, was 4.2% over the last 7 days (down from 4.5%). Visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov for tips on how to effectively quarantine.
OhioMeansJobs.com currently has about 163,000 job postings, with 87,000 (53%) paying between $30,000 - $79,000. Approximately 101,000 jobs require less than a bachelor’s degree, while 47,000 require either a bachelor's or associate degree.
Ohio held steady in new COVID-19 cases, with an average of 958 new cases per day over the last 7 days compared to an average of 948 new cases per day over the previous 7 days.
Michigan State Updates: 8/19 - 8/25
To protect Michigan’s workforce and workplaces, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) has been working with businesses across the state on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The MIOSHA “general duty” clause requires an employer to provide a workplace that is free from recognized hazards that are causing, or are likely to cause, death or serious physical harm to the employee. A general duty clause citation carries a fine of up to $7,000. Every employer is encouraged by MIOSHA to familiarize themselves with the information at Michigan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety. The cited companies will have 15 working days from receipt of the MIOSHA citations to contest the violations and penalties. The citations include suggestions to fix the hazards to protect employees. Employers must provide proof to MIOSHA that abatement has been completed. MIOSHA continues to partner with state agencies, local health departments and other entities to equip employers and their staff with proper guidance and tools to keep Michigan workplaces safe. A set of online resources at Michigan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety provides posters for employees and customers, factsheets, educational videos, a sample COVID-19 preparedness and response plan, best practices that employees need to follow and a reopening checklist to help businesses put safeguards in place.
A new federal grant will help the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration continue a crisis counseling program for Michigan residents experiencing mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The $1.9 million Regular Services Program: Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides funding for an additional nine months of crisis counseling activities begun under a previous, short-term FEMA grant. It also allows for statewide expansion of behavioral health outreach services previously focused only in the Detroit metro area. For a menu of services and resources to help manage COVID-19 emotional distress, visit Michigan.gov/StayWell.
The state’s Work Share program has played an important role in jump-starting Michigan’s economy and preserving the State’s unemployment trust fund as businesses continue reopen and adjust to changes in customer demand due to COVID-19. The federally funded program has provided $450 million in benefits and seen tremendous growth helping more than 2,500 Michigan employers keep their workforce on the job and bringing back individuals from unemployment. Work Share allows employers who are still experiencing decreases in customer demand to bring back laid-off workers with reduced hours while employees collect partial unemployment benefits to make up for the lost wages. Job providers have also utilized the flexible program to retain their skilled workforce and avoid layoffs. The program has also saved the employer funded trust fund hundreds of millions of dollars. Work Share offers many options for employers, allowing multiple plans and the option to choose which employees participate in each plan. Employers can create a plan or plans that fit their specific needs. Since the passage of the CARES Act, the Work Share program has been 100% federally funded. Employers can visit Michigan.gov/WorkShare for a tutorial on how to sign up, FAQs and other resources to participate in the program.
The United States Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) approved the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency’s application for funding that would provide an additional $300 per week payment to Michiganders receiving unemployment benefits. The UIA estimates that under the program, about 910,000 Michiganders would receive at least $300 per week in supplemental benefits. The program allows for existing Unemployment Trust Fund payments delivered by Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency to count as 25% matching funds required for participation. Eligible claimants will be paid benefits retroactive to August 1. It is unclear at this time how long funding for the program will last. At this time, claimants do not have to take any action to receive the additional benefit amount provided by the program. The additional benefits will be added automatically for all claimants who are eligible to receive at least $100 in weekly unemployment benefit payments. This includes claimants receiving any type of regular unemployment insurance benefits as well as those receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits.
Michigan saw a decrease in new COVID-19 cases with an average of 682 new cases per day over the last 7 days compared to an average of 701 new cases per day over the previous 7 days. Day-to-day numbers continue to fluctuate, but the data shows that cases are trending toward decline at the end of the week.
Kentucky State Updates: 8/19 - 8/25
Governor Beshear announced that the state’s application to bring in additional federal money to aid unemployed Kentuckians has been accepted. On August 8, the President signed a memorandum seeking to extend some additional benefits to Americans whose jobs have been harmed or eliminated by the global pandemic. Gov. Beshear noted that most of the states approved for the program – including Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico and Utah – have chosen to fund the program solely with federal dollars, meaning recipients will receive $300. “We have decided to provide an extra $100 using CARES Act money. Kentucky’s portion will be approximately $8 million per week, for a total of $24 million over the three-week initial grant period,” Governor Beshear said. While the application is approved, reconfiguring the computer systems to pay the $400 is likely to take about two weeks. Therefore, benefits recipients should not expect the payments until sometime in early September.
Voters can now go to www.GoVoteKy.com to request an absentee ballot for the November 3 general election, if they are concerned about COVID-19 and voting. “Voting is the bedrock principle of this democracy,” said Gov. Beshear. “The way that you are heard is to make sure you vote, and there are going to be more ways to vote now than ever before.”
The Governor reminded Kentuckians that the state issued a travel advisory in July that recommends people avoid visiting states with coronavirus case positivity rates of 15% or higher. Among the states currently exceeding that threshold, according to data from Johns Hopkins, are Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Nevada and Idaho. Anyone returning to Kentucky after visiting these places is asked to self-quarantine for 14 days.
Governor Beshear issued a new executive order to provide protections and clarity on the issues surrounding evictions during the coronavirus crisis. The Governor suspended evictions as the pandemic took hold. He said the new executive order protects tenants and provides relief for eligible landlords. Under the new order, landlords must give tenants 30 days’ notice of an intent to evict for nonpayment of rent. During that time, the landlord and tenant must meet and confer on a possible agreement. In addition, no penalties, late fees or interest can be charged related to nonpayment of rent from March 6 through the end of the year. At the same time, Gov. Beshear said his administration is dedicating $15 million of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act money to create a Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund. The fund will reimburse eligible landlords for missed rent payments and pay some advance rent to keep tenants in their homes. Kentuckians will be able to submit applications September 9. More information about eligibility and how to apply will be forthcoming.
Lt. Governor Jacqueline Coleman announced a plan to allocate $8 million to provide “Last Mile” internet service to all Kentucky students from kindergarten through 12th grade. She noted that as schools have transitioned to using more nontraditional-instruction (NTI) days, it has broadened the educational gap for many communities. The Lt. Governor said the $8 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding will help reduce the monthly cost for low-income parents to pay for internet access for their K-12 child.
Eric Friedlander, secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, spoke Tuesday about the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program. Since late May, Kentucky families with students who normally receive free or reduced-cost meals at school have been eligible for financial assistance to replace those meals through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) P-EBT program, part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. Secretary Friedlander said the deadline to apply for the P-EBT program is August 31, benefind.ky.gov.
New COVID-19 cases decreased in Kentucky this week, with an average of 610 new cases per day over the last 7 days compared to an average of 644 new cases per day over the previous 7 days. Day-to-day numbers continue to fluctuate, but the data shows that cases are trending toward decline at the end of the week.
