The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) provides aid to independent contractors and self-employed individuals, in addition to providing aid to businesses.

1. The CARES Act temporarily expands unemployment insurance to cover individuals who are not traditionally covered, including the self-employed, gig-workers, independent contractors and workers with an irregular work history. It also expands the list of allowable criteria for claiming unemployment compensation to include many reasons related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Contact the unemployment office in the state where you worked to determine your eligibility for state unemployment. Under the CARES Act:
   • Individuals may be entitled to receive up to $600/week in addition to what is available under state unemployment benefits; and
   • Individuals may be entitled to up to 39 weeks of payments.
2. Refundable tax credits are available for independent contractors who would have qualified for coronavirus-related paid leave if they were employees. The IRS will be posting information soon on these credits on its website (www.irs.gov), including information on how to claim these credits.
3. Individuals who operate a sole proprietorship or work as an independent contractor and eligible self-employed individuals may qualify for a paycheck protection program (PPP) loan. Regulations and guidance about PPP loans for individuals will be issued by the Small Business Administration and Treasury and should be released in the upcoming two weeks.

If you are unsure about whether you are eligible for CARES Act assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to BMK for advice.

Contact your Brown Moskowitz & Kallen, P.C. attorney at (973) 376-0909 via the office extensions below or the mobile telephone numbers provided.

Stuart Brown
Office Extension: 1118
Mobile: (908) 770-0166

Kenneth Moskowitz
Office Extension: 1112
Mobile: (908) 770-0160

Norman Kallen
Office Extension: 1114
Mobile: (908) 770-0165

Steven Rowland
Office Extension: 1124
Mobile: (973) 879-0544

Keith Marlowe
Office Extension: 1120
Mobile: (973) 568-7559

Richard West
Office Extension: 1126
Mobile: (973) 229-7928

Frederic Tudor
Office Extension: 1122
Mobile: (973) 476-8139

Michael Greenberg
Office Extension: 1119
Mobile: (917) 716-9302

Kristina Brown
Office Extension: 1116
Mobile: (908) 239-7625

Michele-Lee Shapiro
Office Extension: 1130
Mobile: (201) 221-6814

Emilio Lamanna
Office Extension: 1129
Mobile: (516) 554-2460

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and does not constitute, legal advice.