On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law, providing financial relief to U.S. businesses and individuals affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The CARES Act is the third phase of federal legislation enacted in response to the pandemic, following the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

“The Coronavirus epidemic has damaged our physical and our economic health. This bill supports the economic health of individuals, families and employers. It also advances the fight to make us safe from the disease,” said Senator Bill Cassidy.

The CARES Act provides exactly what its abbreviation suggests – care. Its purpose is to care for Americans by helping employers, employees, small business, and families financially survive this time of economic hardship and bounce back once the economy stabilizes and public health improves. This post focuses on key provisions of the CARES Act that relate to employee benefits.

HEALTH AND WELFARE PLANS

• The CARES Act allows a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA) to cover telehealth services prior to a patient reaching the deductible. This provision is temporary and will expire December 31, 2021. This will require a plan amendment.
• Over the counter medicines and drugs can once again be paid for with health savings accounts (HSAs), health flexible spending accounts (HFSA), and health reimbursement arrangements (HRA). In addition, menstrual care products are now treated as a qualified medical expense and can also be paid for with HSA, HFSA and HRA dollars. This will require cafeteria plan amendments.
• Plans must cover all testing for COVID-19, without cost sharing, even for those tests that have not yet received an emergency use authorization from the FDA. In addition, plans must cover all qualifying preventive items, services or vaccines for COVID-19 once developed, without cost sharing.
• The CARES Act allows an employee who was laid off by an employer March 1, 2020, or later to have access to paid family and medical leave in certain instances if they are rehired by the employer. The employee would have had to work for the employer at least 30 days prior to being laid off.
• The CARES Act ensures that federal contractors who cannot perform work at their duty-station or telework because of the nature of their jobs due to COVID-19, continue to get paid.

RETIREMENT PLANS

• The CARES Act authorizes eligible retirement plans (as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 402(c)(8)(B), including employer-sponsored 401(k), 403(b) and governmental 457(b) plans) to permit “Qualified Individuals” withdrawals and loans up to $100,000 in retirement plans. Plan sponsors may utilize these provisions immediately, but a plan amendment will be required by December 31, 2022.
  • The following individuals qualify as “Qualified Individuals”, both for the new withdrawal right and for the plan loan relief:
    • Someone who is diagnosed with the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) or coronavirus disease (COVID-19) by a test approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the “CDC”);
    • Someone whose spouse or dependent (as defined in Code Section 152) is diagnosed with such virus or disease by a CDC-approved test; or
    • Someone who experiences adverse financial consequences as a result of (i) being quarantined, or being furloughed or laid off, or having work hours reduced due to such virus or disease, (ii) being unable to work due to lack of child care due to such virus or disease, (iii) closing or reducing hours of a business owned or operated by the individual due to such virus or disease (this clause (iii) essentially applies to self-employed individuals and owner-employees), or (iv) other factors as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury.
• The CARES Act provides temporary relief from required minimum distribution requirements by delaying required distributions from defined contribution plans and IRAs in 2020 for an additional year. Plan sponsors may utilize these provisions immediately, but a plan amendment will be required by December 31, 2022. This relief does not apply to defined benefit plans.
• There is limited relief for minimum funding contributions otherwise due in 2020 for single-employer pension plans, which can be delayed until January 1, 2021, with interest.
• The CARES Act expands the types of employers whose pension plans can qualify for treatment as cooperative and small employer charity plans.

EMPLOYER PAYROLL TAX CREDITS AND DELAYED PAYMENT

• The CARES Act provides a tax credit against taxes owed by certain employers in 2020 for 50 percent of wages paid to employees while operations were significantly impacted by COVID-19. The credit is available to employers: (1) whose operations were fully or partially suspended due to governmental orders limiting commerce, travel, or group meetings due to COVID-19; or (2) whose gross receipts declined by more than 50 percent when compared to the same calendar quarter in the prior year.
• The CARES Act permits employers to delay depositing their Social Security taxes incurred between March 27, 2020, and January 1, 2021.

EMPLOYER PAYMENT OF STUDENT LOANS

• The CARES Act permits nontaxable employer payments before January 1, 2021, towards a qualified education loan incurred by an employee for his or her education, subject to an annual cap of $5,250.

For more helpful information regarding COVID-19 and the CARES Act, please follow these links: Jefferson Chamber Resources Page, U.S. Department of the Treasury, SBC The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act

If you found this information helpful, share it with others and give it a thumbs up @livewelljefferson on Facebook and Instagram! We want to hear from you! Post your comments, questions, tips, and resources in the comments section on today’s blog post on Facebook and Instagram.

Written by Brookley Valencia, Advocacy Events Manager, Staff Liaison to the Jefferson Chamber’s Government Committee and Education Committee

Acknowledgements:
The CARES Act: Summary of Key Provisions Affecting Employee Benefit Plans
CARES Act – Impact on Employee Benefit Plans
The CARES Act for COVID-19 relief: What Employers Need to Know

This LiveWell Jefferson Blog Series focuses on the best ways to create a healthy, happy, balanced work/home life. How do we thrive in this environment? We took a deep dive into researching practices that can make a difference, and you can view them all in the Series Intro Post: Thriving in the Telecommute. On April 3^rd we focused on Practice #1: Explore from a Distance – How to make the most out of your weekends, decrease stress, and boost creativity. April 5^th was all about Practice #2: The Power of Structure – Increasing Productivity and Decreasing Stress for You, Your Kids, and Your Pets During the COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Mandate.This post focuses on Practice #3: Prioritizing Mental Health. Mental Health is such a broad and important topic that we are going to discuss it in relation to COVID-19 with several blog posts. Stay tuned for posts about managing the brain’s response to change, incorporating mindfulness into your routine, and talking to kids about COVID19.

Today is about CELEBRATION! Passover began last night on April 8^th, Easter Sunday is April 12^th, and Ramadan begins on April 23^rd. Whether or not you celebrate any of these, connection, interaction, and support play a critical role in our overall health and wellbeing. Humans are incredibly social creatures. Studies have repeatedly shown that a feeling of connection with others and a sense of belonging are fundamental human needs. We depend on social connectedness to maintain physical and psychological health as well as longevity.

Researchers have discovered that a feeling of connectedness benefits us in countless ways, including: strengthened immune system, faster recovery times, decreased rates of anxiety and depression, lower levels of stress, increased empathy towards others, higher self-esteem, increased ability to trust others, cooperate, and work with people, increased resilience when faced with challenging situations, and a more positive outlook, just to name a few.

Brene Brown, Professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, specializes in social connection. In an interview with Emma Seppälä Ph.D., she said, “A deep sense of love and belonging is an irresistible need of all people. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don’t function as we were meant to. We break. We fall apart. We numb. We ache. We hurt others. We get sick.”

There is a direct link between our fundamental need for social connection and our innate desire to celebrate significant occasions.

In Seline Shenoy’s blog post, “5 Reasons Why It’s Important to Commemorate Special Occasions”, she says “Every culture, nation and tradition has developed its own unique ways of honoring special occasions…if we take a closer look, we’ll see that there is a common thread of themes that connects each and every one of them. We will see that all of these occasions center on universal human experiences such as love, sadness, joy, reverence, success and sacrifice.”

The feeling of connectedness makes us more resilient. Celebrating helps us cultivate a sense of community and deepen relationships with family and friends. We depend on these bonds, the common and connected ground we’ve established, to bounce back from trauma, crisis, and stress. It is more important now, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, than ever to reach out to loved ones, family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors for a circle of support.

In Emma Seppälä’s article, Social Connection Boosts Health. Even When You’re Isolated., she shares the following, “A sense of connection is internal: Researchers agree that the benefits of connection are actually linked to your subjective sense of connection. In other words, if you feel connected to others on the inside, you reap the benefits thereof! Ever felt lonely in a crowd or a group of your own acquaintances? In the same way, it is possible to feel connected in a group of strangers. That is good news. While many of us cannot always control the number of friends we have, one thing we can take responsibility for is the state of our mind.  Even if you’re isolated and alone at home, you can generate feelings of connection to others and reap the health benefits thereof.”

Furthermore, we have the capacity and technology to connect with others in new and creative ways. Even though we can’t have a ‘typical’ gathering, we can still join family, friends, and our communities at large to celebrate. Here are a few social-distancing-friendly options for your holiday. We’ve also included health-conscious recipes to sweeten the deal! Scroll down for more…

WAYS TO CONNECT WITH YOURSELF & OTHERS:

1. Practice loving-kindness meditation – studies show it can boost empathy and connection, while decreasing anger and depression à Thank You @AHANewOrleans for this Loving-Kindness Meditation Infographic
2. Schedule video calls with several different groups to celebrate over the next few days and weeks
   1. Guides to Compare Video Conferencing Apps:
      i. Worried about Zoom’s privacy problems? A guide to your video-conferencing options
      ii. How to choose a free videoconference app
   2. A Few How-To Videos for Video Conferencing Apps to Get You Started:
      i. Zoom
      ii. House Party
      iii. Skype
      iv. Google Hangout
      v. Cisco Webex
3. Help your fellow community members by volunteering online
   1. You can maintain social distance by volunteering with these organizations:
      i. Folding@Home
      ii. Alone
      iii. Be My Eyes
      iv. Bookshare
      v. Catchafire
      vi. United Nations
      vii. American Red Cross
      viii. Career Village
      ix. American Cancer Society
      x. Learn to Be
4. DONATE to organizations that are assisting with resources for first responders, as well as food, medical supplies, and shelter for those in need
5. Attend a Virtual Service
6. Create new traditions – Instead of Easter eggs, hunt for painted rocks — or make and hide some yourself
7. Learn more about the history of the holiday you are celebrating
8. Try new recipes for old traditional dishes – cook with others in your house, or cook while you are on a video call and share the experience – Video: How to Make 18-Minute Matzah | 3 ways to decorate Easter eggs with things you probably have at home
9. Take time to reflect on your experience through this crisis so far, focus on things you are most grateful for, and share with others
10. Play online board games with friends and family
11. Send warmth gratitude, and love via mail, text, and email
12. Two Helpful Video Guides for Your Home Seder Needs
13. See Sarah Hassaine’s Commentary: Social distancing forces us to get creative during Ramadan. Challenge accepted.
14. Celebrate Passover by planning a “Virtual Seder” with a family or friend each night. If you plan to read from the Haggadah, consider a video conferencing app that allows for screen sharing, so you can all read from the same PDF as you celebrate
15. Split up your Easter Weekend into multiple video celebrations with different contacts– brunch, cocktails, dinner, and dessert
16. Hold a virtual Iftar on the first day of Ramadan
17. Create a list of activities you typically do with guests and neighbors, and create virtual events for them
18. Keep the party you typically plan and make it virtual. Christi Rice, Jefferson Chamber Office Manager & Executive Assistant, hosted a “Virtual Egg Dyeing Party” for her daughters, Mallory & Madison, and the photos are awesome! Check it out below!

HEALHTY DESSERT RECIPES FOR YOUR CELEBRATIONS:

• Blackberry Cobbler (American Heart Association)
• Grilled Fruit Kebabs with Balsamic Drizzle (American Heart Association)
• Healthy Mini Carrot Cakes (Swerve) Just 4 servings per batch – these are PERFECT for small celebrations
• Keto Chocolate Tart (Ochsner Health)
• Strawberry Shortcake English Scones (Ochsner Health)

If you found this information helpful, share it with others and give it a thumbs up @livewelljefferson on Facebook and Instagram! We want to hear from you! How are you connecting with friends and family members? Post your comments and questions in the comments section on today’s blog post on Facebook. #livewelljeffersonblog #covid_19 #livewelljefferson #jeffersonchamber

Written by Alex Zarookian, Director of Investor Relations & Special Events, Staff Liaison to the Jefferson Chamber’s Health & Wellness Committee

Edited by Emily Anderson, Director of Communication, Staff Liaison to the Jefferson Chamber’s Communication Committee

Acknowledgements:
Connect to Thrive
The Power of Human Connection
Social Connection Boosts Health. Even When You’re Isolated.
If you hunker down against coronavirus, don’t stop reaching out, experts say
This year is not like all other years. Here’s how to find meaning in Passover anyway
Coronavirus: How do you celebrate a religious festival while social distancing?

It is crucial that we all wear cloth face coverings in public to slow the spread of COVID19, but you don’t need a medical-grade mask or a sewing kit to do your part.

MAKE A MASK WITH EVERYDAY ITEMS – NO SEWING REQUIRED

• Gather the following items to make a mask at home:
  • A t-shirt or cotton cloth that is large enough to fold multiple times
  • Scissors
  • Rubber bands
  • Optional: coffee filter

CLICK HERE FOR THE U.S. SURGEON GENERAL’S HOW-TO VIDEO.

Consider adding a filter between layers:
CLICK HERE FOR THE STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO MAKE ONE

IMPORTANT NOTES

• Any mask is better than no mask.
• Wearing a mask is not a substitute for social distancing.
• Wearing a mask is not a substitute for staying home.
• You should not increase your time in public spaces just because you are wearing a mask.
• The primary purpose of wearing a mask is to protect those around you.
• The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.

VIEW THE CDC’S GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF CLOTH FACE COVERINGS TO HELP SLOW THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

Tips from experts on how to use a mask effectively:
NEW GUIDANCE ON MASKS IN PUBLIC: DR. SANJAY GUPTA’S CORONAVIRUS PODCAST FOR APRIL 6.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• CDC – Recommendation Regarding the Use of Cloth Face Coverings, Especially in Areas of Significant Community-Based Transmission
• Best Everyday Material to Use When Creating Your Own Masks
• After watching surgeon general’s Twitter video on face masks, doctor sent him research on the best materials to use
• Stanford Anesthesia Informatics and Media Lab

If you found this information helpful, share it with others and give it a thumbs up @livewelljefferson on Facebook and Instagram! We want to hear from you! Post your comments and questions in the comments section on today’s blog post on Facebook. #Livewelljefferson #jeffersonchamber #covid_19 #diymask #facemask #corona #coronavirus #inittogether, #wegotthis #livewelljeffersonblog #wellness #health #socialdistancing #MyPandemicSurvivalPlan #JeffersonParishStrong

Written by Alex Zarookian, Director of Investor Relations & Special Events, Staff Liaison to the Jefferson Chamber’s Health & Wellness Committee

Edited by Emily Anderson, Director of Communication, Staff Liaison to the Jefferson Chamber’s Communication Committee