From WA State Representative Alex Ramel, our 40th Legislative District Rep.

March 23, I had a chance to speak with several groups of small business owners about the impacts of the COVID 19 pandemic. Later that evening, as I’m sure you are aware, Governor Inslee issued a Stay Home, Stay Healthy order. I put together these resources for small businesses based on the questions I heard yesterday and based on the emerging news. Please feel free to share part or all of this out to your members and community.

Please share my gratitude for everything our business community is doing to keep employees, customers and community healthy in this emergency. I know that this is having serious impacts on businesses and we’re committed to doing everything we can to get through this together.

Yesterday Governor Inslee issued a Stay Home, Stay Safe order.

· The order itself is here.

· Here is a list of what’s open and what’s closed

· Overall, coronavirus.wa.gov is a great resource for questions as they arise

Which jobs qualify as essential workforce.

· The full list is online here

· I’ve received a number of questions about farmworkers which are included, and construction workers which are for the most part included

· If there is work that you believe is essential that is not on this list, please let me know – Alex.Ramel@leg.wa.gov – I’m here to help advocate in these situations.

Employment Security

· We’ve heard anecdotally that the system is overwhelmed and that some people, especially last week, were getting confusing messages. As you can imagine, Employment Security has seen an unprecedented increase in claims at the same time that they were asked to update the rules. As of yesterday, I was told the system seems to be working more smoothly. I’ll continue to monitor this.

· If you applied, or an employee applied, and you think were wrongly rejected, please apply again. Last week the system was automatically rejecting some claims based on pre-COVID rules. I’m sorry for this hassle, but please try again.

· Given the nature of this crisis, there are some people who did not have enough hours accrued and are now out of work and not covered by UI. I am asking about rule changes that might help these people.

· Many individual situations and rule updates are addressed on their website. I urge everyone impacted to take full advantage of this resource.

· The legislature appropriated $25 million for COVID-19 unemployment account for employers who have employees receiving UI benefits as a direct or indirect result of the COVID-19 outbreak to apply to ESD by September 30, 2020, to cover the unemployment benefit charges of the employer resulting from COVID-19.

What about those who don’t qualify for unemployment insurance, like contractors and small business owners?

· Unfortunately answers here are not very satisfying, but Employment Security is encouraging people to apply:

* “There is a lot of confusion out there about whether gig workers, like rideshare drivers, are eligible for unemployment benefits. But, if you are a gig worker who has lost work due to COVID-19, we want you to apply for unemployment benefits! There are some challenges with the application process that we are working to resolve. Read these tips:

* The online application is not designed for the way you work. Fill it out the best that you can. Our claims agents work through these applications on a case-by-case basis.

* Currently, independent contractors and sole proprietors are not eligible for unemployment insurance. Whether a gig worker is considered to be in one of these categories varies by situation. Our claims center agents will evaluate situations on a case-by-case basis. We want you to apply anyway.”

· There is also discussion that people in this situation may qualify for FEMA Disaster Relief Assistance. We will continue to monitors this as well.

Taxes

· Businesses impacted by COVID 19 can request deferrals on sales taxes and L&I taxes through their Dept of Revenue (MY DOR) site. Details and an FAQ are here. I have been told by companies that have used it that this process is operating smoothly.

· Unemployment Insurance can also be deferred. At this time these requests are being processed individually.

· Some people have asked whether property taxes (due next month) could also be delayed. The answer is dependent on the county. I will continue to explore this possibility.

Small Business Support

· Through the US Small Business Administration, the Federal Government is offering disaster loans for businesses, private non-profits, homeowners & renters. Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

· Governor Inslee has created a $5 million grant program for small businesses statewide using the Strategic Reserve Fund (SRF). The Department of Commerce is putting the finishing touches to the program’s guidelines and application – this will be ready to launch soon & will be linked here.

· There are reports that the federal government will soon pass a stimulus program that will include substantial grants for small businesses. I will monitor this closely and provide more information as it becomes available.

I know that this is impacting people and companies in many ways. Most of us aren’t sick, and many of us don’t know anyone who is. I am convinced that the social distancing measures taken right now will save thousands of lives. Working together, our community will get through this. We are resilient. And we are looking out for each other.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if I can help in any way.

Follow Rep Ramel on Facebook for the most up-to-date news.