COVID-19 Public Information

COVID-19 Resource Center

UST has been supporting nonprofit employers for over 35 years. We know many of you have questions about how the COVID-19 crisis and associated public health response will continue to impact your organization. Below, we’ve compiled some of the most commonly asked questions nonprofits are asking about the latest unemployment and workforce challenges, and how best to address them. 

On-Demand Webinars

Telecommuting Strategies Beyond COVID-19: Telecommuting recently became the new norm for many nonprofits due to the Coronavirus pandemic and now more employees are working from home than ever before in history. This webinar will provide strategies on how to implement a telecommuting policy.

Supporting Nonprofit Sustainability During a Crisis: During this interactive session, UST will be answering your questions about the CARES Act and FFCRA as well as sharing examples of problems our nonprofit members have faced and overcome.

Preparing for Re-Entry to the Workplace: As states start permitting businesses to reopen, this webinar will provide helpful tips for preparing to welcome employees back to the office while maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations related to the Coronavirus.

Employee Engagement & Mental Wellness During COVID-19: While we continue to adjust to this new "normal" of working remotely, this webinar will provide nonprofit leaders with helpful tips on how to keep employees productive and engaged in day-to-day work activities.

Recommended Resources from UST's Allies and Partners

Free 60-Day Trial: Virtual HR Tools & Trainings

Now more than ever, it’s critical that nonprofit leaders stay up-to-date on the latest legislation, HR best practices and virtual team training resources. Sign up for a free 60-Day trial of our UST HR Workplace, where you can get your toughest HR questions answered, and explore our step-by-step Employee Handbook Builder and online training courses. To learn more, you can watch a short on-demand UST HR Workplace demo here.

You can also view some of our top COVID-19 FAQs in the section below.

COVID-19 Public FAQs

 

Search our Frequently Asked Questions:

If my state is offering relief of charges for unemployment benefits, will we also receive relief of charges?

Under the CARES Act, reimbursing employers will receive 50% relief of unemployment charges. However, there are some states which are providing 100% relief of charges. To access an updated list of current state and federal legislation, please click here.

UST continues to advocate on behalf of the nonprofit sector to implore the Federal Government to increase the relief of charges for all states to 100%.

Can UI benefits be disqualifying or delayed to an individual if they receive qualified income like vacation, PTO and/or severance payout?

Disqualifying or deductible income is governed by State law. Although law provisions vary among the States, most provide for disqualification or reduction in benefits for any week or part of a week during which the claimant receives income such as earnings, wages in lieu of notice, dismissal pay, workers' compensation, back pay, holiday or vacation pay, payments made under an employer's pension plan, etc. A list of disqualifying income broken down by state can be found here.

This income may result in the total or partial reduction of weekly benefits. Please contact your state unemployment agency for the latest information.

Equifax is not providing, and cannot provide legal advice on any legal issues relating to state requirements. Your company should work with its legal counsel and other experts to make all determinations regarding specific state obligations.

Do we qualify for the Workshare program through our State? Which states can implement a Short Time Compensation plan (Workshare)?

So long as you meet your states qualification, you may apply for the Workshare Program. Workshare programs are designed to offer assistance to employers during a temporary downturn. You will still have unemployment charges, but you may experience lower costs associated with these claims since they are only covering for reduced hours rather than a full layoff. To find out whether your state offers a Short Time Compensation plan, go here.

Can you provide language that we can share with our elected representatives to support nonprofit employer advocacy efforts? How do I contact my elected officials?

You can contact your elected officials here. Please use the following language and choose the appropriate option based on who you are contacting:

The urgent public health response provoked by the spread of COVID-19 has forced employers around the country to lay off workers for reasons beyond their control, and unrelated to any organizational mismanagement on their part. [Congress/Our state legislator] has rightly recognized that employers should be shielded from the full economic cost this crisis response has incurred, but at this time, has not taken steps to ensure that all employers will be equally protected.

I am writing, as your constituent and a member of the nonprofit community, to ask that you do everything in your power to ensure that 501(c)(3) nonprofit employers—and particularly those who have opted to exercise their right under federal law to reimburse their state for unemployment benefits paid to their employees—receive equivalent relief of charges and/or other financial assistance under any legislation passed in response to this crisis, as their for profit counterparts do. If you have any questions about how best to accomplish this, I will be happy to connect you with a relevant subject matter expert.

For additional information on how you can help, please click here.

Can employees with reduced hours still apply for unemployment?

Yes, any employee whose hours are reduced will be eligible to collect unemployment benefits for the difference in pay. This would be limited by the maximum weekly benefits in your state.

If individuals are afraid to come to work even though we are still open for business, will they still qualify for unemployment?

Yes, employees who are afraid to come to work may still qualify for unemployment benefits. In these instances, you can protest the claim to seek a denial of benefits, but some state regulations may make these claims eligible.

Is UST working to lobby on behalf of nonprofits?

UST has been actively working with our state and national nonprofit association partners–including the National Council of Nonprofits–and their policy and legislative staff to provide information, wording, updates and advice on what to bring forward and how to talk to legislators to make sure that nonprofits in general and those that have chosen the reimbursing option for unemployment benefits are included in any relief programs passed by the federal or state governments.   

How does the state determine benefit amounts?

While each states calculations may vary, each state uses wages reported over the last five quarters to calculate weekly benefit amounts. 

COVID-19 Employer Guide_Banner Ad

Workforce Re-Entry Toolkit_Banner Ad

Employee Engagement Toolkit_Banner Ad

COVID-19 Workforce Trends Report_Banner Ad