COVID-19 Resources
The FLCC is trying to bring you the most up-to-date resources available during the COVID crisis. If you know of others to be added please send them to
[email protected]
GENERAL INFORMATION
NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: New Jersey’s website for comprehensive and up-to-date information about the novel coronavirus outbreak is available here: https://covid19.nj.gov/.
New Jersey Business FAQs: with information for businesses and the impact of coronavirus.
https://faq.business.nj.gov/en/collections/2198378-information-for-nj-businesses-on-thecoronavirus-outbreak
The state set up a 24-hour hotline where health care professionals are answering questions about coronavirus. The toll-free number is 1-800-222-1222. From outside the state, call 1-800-962-1253.
EMPLOYER RESOURCES
Center for Disease Control: CDC offers interim guidance for businesses and employers to plan, prepare and respond to coronavirus https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html
US Department of Labor: Coronavirus Resources https://www.dol.gov/coronavirus
NJ Department of Labor and Coronavirus: What Employees Should Know https://www.nj.gov/labor/worker-protections/earnedsick/covid.shtml
Mandated Benefits Chart: Employers Association of New Jersey’s EZ Pay Chart to help businesses navigate NJ mandated benefits and to find out which laws apply https://www.eanj.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/EZ%20Pay%20Chart%20for%20NJ%20Employers_2.pdf
COVID-19 On-Demand Hiring Intake Form: A centralized resource to match talent with opportunities by the State of New Jersey. https://jobs.covid19.nj.gov/intake
To report a scammer or suspected price gouging, alert N.J. Division of Consumer Affairs at (973) 504-6240 or at http://njconsumeraffairs.gov.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/posters/FFCRA_Poster_WH1422_Non-Federal.pdf
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020.
Generally, the Act provides that covered employers must provide to all employees:
Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of expanded family and medical leave at the employee’s regular rate of pay where the employee is unable to work because the employee is quarantined (pursuant to Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a health care provider), and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis; or
Two weeks (up to 80 hours) of expanded family and medical leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay because the employee is unable to work because of a bona fide need to care for an individual subject to quarantine (pursuant to Federal, State, or local government order or advice of a health care provider), or care for a child (under 18 years of age) whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19, and/or the employee is experiencing a substantially similar condition as specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the Secretaries of the Treasury and Labor.
Small businesses with fewer than 50 employees may qualify for exemption from the requirement to provide leave due to school closings or child care unavailability if the leave requirements would jeopardize the viability of the business as a going concern.
Please refer to the Department of Labor link provided for specific guidance and direction, Department of Labor In addition this link will take you to information RELATED TO PAID LEAVE FOR WORKERS AND TAX CREDITS FOR SMALL AND MIDSIZE BUSINESSES from the DOL.
EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES
The state’s jobs and hiring portal matches employers and candidates.
For employers to participate, click here.
SMALL BUSINESS FINANCIAL RELIEF AND RESOURCES
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce put out a guide for small businesses on the coronavirus emergency loans introduced by the federal government.
US Small Business Administration: General information Hub https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-newsroom/press-releases-media-advisories/sba-provide-disaster-assistance-loans-small-businesses-impacted-coronavirus-covid-19
US Small Business Guidance and Loan Resources: https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest disaster loans to small businesses in New Jersey.
SCORE Coronavirus Small Business Resource Hub: https://www.score.org/coronavirus
SBA Disaster Loan Assistance: Federal Disaster Loans for Businesses, Private Non-profits, Homeowners and Renters https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/ OR https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance
SBA Paycheck Protection Plan prioritizes millions of Americans employed by small businesses. This program is aimed at job retention and business operating expenses. https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/paycheck-protection-program
NJEDA: The New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) approved a suite of new programs designed to support businesses and workers facing economic hardship due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
The suite of new initiatives includes:
Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program will provide grants up to $5,000 to NJ-based small businesses that have between 1-10 full time equivalent employees (FTE) in order to stabilize their operations and reduce the need for layoffs or furloughs. Eligible businesses include retail, arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, food service, and other services – such as repair, maintenance, personal, and laundry services. Grant funding is targeted at unrestricted payroll and working capital support, and cannot be used for any capital expenses, including construction. Grant values are calculated at $1000 per FTEs reported on business’ WR-30 filed with the NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development. Minimum grant amount per application: $1000; maximum grant amount per application: $5000.
Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan Program will provide working capital loans of up to $100,000 to businesses with less than $5 million in revenues. Loans made through the program will have 10-year terms with zero percent for the first five years, then resetting to the EDA’s prevailing floor rate (capped at 3.00%) for the remaining five years.
Community Development Finance Institution (CDFI) Emergency Loan Loss Reserve Fund – A $10 million capital reserve fund to take a first loss position on CDFI loans that provide low-interest working capital to micro-businesses. This will allow CDFIs to withstand loan defaults due to the outbreak, which will allow them to provide more loans at lower interest rates to microbusinesses affected by the outbreak.
CDFI Emergency Assistance Grant Program will provide grants of up to $250,000 to CDFIs to scale operations or reduce interest rates for the duration of the outbreak.
NJ Entrepreneur Support Program will encourage continued capital flows to new companies, often in the innovation economy, and temporarily support a shaky market by providing 80% loan guarantees for working capital loans to entrepreneurs.
Small Business Emergency Assistance Guarantee Program will provide 50% guarantees on working capital loans and waive fees on loans made through institutions participating in the NJEDA’s existing Premier Lender or Premier CDFI programs.
Emergency Technical Assistance Program will support technical assistance to New Jersey-based companies applying for assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration. The organizations contracted will be paid based on SBA application submissions supported by the technical assistance they provide.
The New Jersey Economic Development Authority set up an electronic “Eligibility Wizard” designed to help businesses and nonprofits determine which state emergency financial assistance programs or federal SBA disaster loans best suits them. Additional details on the NJEDA’s new programs, including eligibility requirements, will be available here: https://cv.business.nj.gov.
THE CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act includes extensive provisions for providing massive fiscal relief to businesses and individual Americans.
Click here for Highlights of the CARES Act
WAYS TO HELP
The below link has updated information on how to volunteer and donate during the Coronavirus outbreak.
https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2020/03/how-to-volunteer-and-donate-in-new-jersey-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak-032520.html
Local – Bergen County
Bergen Volunteers
64 Passaic St., Hackensack, N.J. 07601; 201-489-9454
The nonprofit Bergen Volunteers supports community needs through civic engagement and volunteerism. “We help all of Bergen County, including youth, seniors, economically disadvantaged individuals and the nonprofit community overall.” Lynne Algrant, CEO of Bergen Volunteers, said, “At times like these, we really understand the importance of local nonprofits in knitting together the social safety net. Our support of local organizations is vital.”
To volunteer, go to https://www.bergenvolunteers.org/covid19resources
To donate, go to https://www.bergenvolunteers.org/
Statewide
Community FoodBank of New Jersey
https://cfbnj.org/
The Community FoodBank of New Jersey fights hunger and poverty in New Jersey by assisting those in need.
New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund
The New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund (NJPRF) has been established to support organizations that provide essential services to people in need and to assist those on the front lines of the fight against the COVID-19 crisis. One hundred percent of donations received online by NJPRF will be used to fight the medical, social, and economic impact of COVID-19 on New Jersey’s most vulnerable, supporting organizations that provide essential services and aiding those on the front line of the pandemic. To donate, go to https://njprf.org/.
Norwescap
https://norwescap.org/
Norwescap is dedicated to creating opportunities and changing lives for thousands of low-income individuals and families in Northwest New Jersey.
The Salvation Army of New Jersey
https://newjersey.salvationarmy.org/
A statement on the Salvation Army of New Jersey website reads: “We are anticipating, and planning for, an increase in need. Our corps community centers are prepared to assist those in need of emergency services, which includes our feeding programs. With the disproportionate risk to the senior population we are conducting outreach to senior citizens in communities to ensure that they stay safe and that they have necessary provisions.” Donations can be made on the website.
National
The American Red Cross
https://www.redcross.org/
According to the American Red Cross website, there is a “severe blood shortage due to the coronavirus outbreak.” For more information, go to the organization’s site.
ASPCA
www.aspca.org
The nonprofit American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans and must be protected under the law. A message on the nonprofit’s website reads, “among the growing concerns of the coronavirus, we continue to prioritize the health and safety of our employees, clients and the hundreds of animals still in our care. Your urgent gift today can help us prepare for situations like this one.” To donate, click here.
Feeding America
https://www.feedingamerica.org/
This nonprofit’s mission is to “feed America’s hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger.” To donate click here.
Operation Homefront
https://www.operationhomefront.org/need/list
The nonprofit offers short-term and critical financial assistance, long-term stability and recurring support programs to military families. Also helping to support military and veteran families impacted by COVID-19.
Other major organizations accepting donations to provide aid during the coronavirus pandemic include:
Food for the Poor
Meals on Wheels
United Way