If your business has been designated an Essential Business per Governor Charlie Baker’s March 23, 2020 stay-at-home order and you are looking to hire for Critical Need positions, please fill out the form below and a MassHire Metro South/West representative will get back to you to discuss your needs and share how we can help! Your openings will be seen by thousands of job seekers throughout Massachusetts and our representatives can help connect you to those actively looking for employment to assist those in need during this critical period.
Important Employer Resources regarding COVID-19
Unemployment Insurance & Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program
Employers with specific questions about how COVID-19 has affected Employer Unemployment Insurance, please email: UIEmployerHelp@detma.org
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program is now accepting applications; this program provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are unable to work because of a COVID-19 related reason, but are not eligible for regular or extended unemployment benefits. This includes the self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work history, and others. Individuals can review eligibility scenarios here and apply for PUA here.
SBA Loan Fund
NOTICE: SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program is CURRENTLY no longer accepting new applications due to CARE Act funding running out. It is expected to receive additional funding in the near future, so it is HIGHLY recommended that businesses interested in the PPP work with their lender to prepare for a loan for when the funds become available to help ensure you are able to receive these funds before they run out.
More information can be found at: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program-ppp
The Baker-Polito Administration announced on March 18, 2020, that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved the Commonwealth’s disaster declaration and will offer low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Massachusetts small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Any interested business needs to apply directly to the SBA. The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is December 18, 2020. For additional information, please visit the SBA disaster assistance website at: SBA.Gov- Disaster Assistance
Massachusetts COVID-19 Workforce Measures
March 23rd Emergency Order
For an official listing of what businesses and services have been deemed Essential during the March 23, 2020 Emergency Order by Governor Charlie Baker, Click Here.
Employers looking to apply for an Essential Business Designation, Click Here.
MassHire Rapid Response
Is your business in danger of laying off staff or worse, already did? The MassHire Rapid Response unit is available to guide you through layoff aversion, Employer Unemployment Insurance, MA WorkShare, and MassHire BizWorks. For more information, including how to contact your local Rapid Response Representative, Click Here.
Administrative Tax Relief
On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the Baker-Polito Administration announced administrative tax relief measures for small local businesses that have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, especially in the restaurant and hospitality sectors.
This tax relief includes postponing the collection of regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes that normally would be due in March, April and May, will instead be due on June 20, 2020. Additionally, all penalties and interest, that would otherwise apply, will be waived.
Businesses that paid less than $150,000 in regular sales plus meals taxes in the year ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief for sales and meals taxes, and business that paid less than $150,000 in room occupancy taxes in the year ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief with respect to room occupancy taxes.