I don't get it Cares Act

[hurricanegirl]

please type slowly and explain the logic of this

I am 70 y/o, and retired and collecting ss

I am also PT employed - 9 hours a week at minimum wage (13 per hour in my state) as a lunch lady at a local school

Because schools are closed I am unemployed, but will return to work when things go back to normal

I did apply for unemployment, and collect $60 per week - this much makes sense

Today, I went online to see if a deposit had been made, and not only did I receive the $60, but also $600.00

I do stay on top of the news, so I am aware that this additional 600.00 is weekly for 4 months, but never thought I qualified

I believe this may be an error, so will not touch the $$$ that was loaded onto a debit card (at least not for a long long time)

-but-

what is your take on this?  Does any of this make sense.....I get more for not working than people are getting while working...?

on still another note regard the Cares Act...1200 per person earning under 75,000.  Many people I know do Not NEED this,myself included,  and those who do need, actually need much more

I just don't get it.

[Bonny]

You're right; it's not logical but it's a political solution that always has unintended consequences. A couple of posters here mentioned that they would be making more in unemployment than working.


OTOH, it's only for four months and it will encourage people to stay at home vs scrambling to work and expose themselves and others to the virus.


If you don't need the money donate it to a good cause.

[hoops902]

This is what happens when you have legislation that just makes blanket rules.  There probably isn't (meaning, definitely isn't) enough manpower to go through everyone's individual situation and figure out how much to send them immediately.  

Need-based systems rarely do a great job of determining need down to the individual...and when it's a brand new thing intended to be a near-immediate solution to an issue...it's never going to happen.  Some will get more than they need, some less.

[Deleted]

I'm glad people are getting help, but I'll admit it is a little hard for me to stomach that I'm having to juggle working all day and dealing with home schooling kids to take home less than $500/week when I'd make over $1000 on unemployment.  

I would very much volunteer for a 4 month furlough!

[oped]

This is because Republicans did not want to do universal income like other countries are doing during the pandemic. As we should have done. It’s their way of giving universal income ‘to workers’ and not ‘to deadbeats’ as it were...

[Deleted]

Apr 9, 2020 9:53:39 GMT -5 oped said:

This is because Republicans did not want to do universal income like other countries are doing during the pandemic. As we should have done. It’s their way of giving universal income ‘to workers’ and not ‘to deadbeats’ as it were...

This. 

Glad to see they included those of us who have 1099 income.

[hoops902]

Apr 9, 2020 9:53:39 GMT -5 oped said:

This is because Republicans did not want to do universal income like other countries are doing during the pandemic. As we should have done. It’s their way of giving universal income ‘to workers’ and not ‘to deadbeats’ as it were...

Are people who don't work ("deadbeats") getting any less money than they otherwise would have without the pandemic?  Plus another $1200.  

[billisonboard]

Apr 9, 2020 9:46:40 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

This is what happens when you have legislation that just makes blanket rules.  There probably isn't (meaning, definitely isn't) enough manpower to go through everyone's individual situation and figure out how much to send them immediately.  

Need-based systems rarely do a great job of determining need down to the individual...and when it's a brand new thing intended to be a near-immediate solution to an issue...it's never going to happen.  Some will get more than they need, some less.

Another factor to take into account is that Unemployment Insurance is actually 50 different programs, one per state. A federal program which "only" provided a payment up to normal pay would provide a vastly greater benefit to states with less generous percentage payments. That would have created issues with getting a bill passed through Congress.

[CCL]

Apr 9, 2020 10:15:02 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

Apr 9, 2020 9:53:39 GMT -5 oped said:

This is because Republicans did not want to do universal income like other countries are doing during the pandemic. As we should have done. It’s their way of giving universal income ‘to workers’ and not ‘to deadbeats’ as it were...

Are people who don't work ("deadbeats") getting any less money than they otherwise would have without the pandemic?  Plus another $1200.  

My understanding is they won't get the extra $600 a week in unemployment. I'd rather see the extra go to people who had been working than to those who haven't.

Another thing I wondered about is health insurance. If folks are laid-off, won't a lot of them lose their insurance, too?

[hoops902]

Apr 9, 2020 10:48:26 GMT -5 CCL said:

Apr 9, 2020 10:15:02 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

Are people who don't work ("deadbeats") getting any less money than they otherwise would have without the pandemic?  Plus another $1200.  

My understanding is they won't get the extra $600 a week in unemployment. I'd rather see the extra go to people who had been working than to those who haven't.

If they aren't people who work, no, they wouldn't...but they wouldn't have gotten $600 in unemployment anyways.  

I agree I'd rather see it go to those who had been working, those people are "out" something by now not working.  If you weren't working before and aren't working now...I don't see how they're "out" anything with the pandemic, and in fact are ahead with the $1200 that many are ahead with.

[oped]

Because I think hurricanegirl would be ok with an extra $1000 a month instead of 2400... because I'd like minnesotta and drama etc. to also be getting the extra $1000 during this time of hardship.  My college kids have very little extra needs during this time and we can cover them... mostly because my son is a sophomore and a loophole lets him not pay his rent for the 9 weeks he's home... other's aren't so lucky... and foster kids need computers and a place to stay...

There are people not being caught by unemployment as the biggest mechanism for government assistance. I would have rather the 'stimulus' be structured differently. That's all. 

[Miss Tequila]

Apr 9, 2020 9:53:39 GMT -5 oped said:

This is because Republicans did not want to do universal income like other countries are doing during the pandemic. As we should have done. It’s their way of giving universal income ‘to workers’ and not ‘to deadbeats’ as it were...

Why should people who are not harmed at all (those already on government assistance with no earned income) get even more money?  The increase in unemployment is to help offset those that are harmed by businesses being shut down.  Some people will make out better (my daughter) but some people are still going to make less (my ex).

DF and I are not harmed by the virus so sending us universal income would just be money that I invest.  I'm not ok with that.  

We will not be getting the $1,200 each and I'm ok with that, too.  I do not need it and I'm happy that I don't.  

[oped]

Great. Happy for you. Everyone is you. I realize that now. 

[Deleted]

Apr 9, 2020 11:51:45 GMT -5 Miss Tequila said:

Apr 9, 2020 9:53:39 GMT -5 oped said:

This is because Republicans did not want to do universal income like other countries are doing during the pandemic. As we should have done. It’s their way of giving universal income ‘to workers’ and not ‘to deadbeats’ as it were...

Why should people who are not harmed at all (those already on government assistance with no earned income) get even more money?  The increase in unemployment is to help offset those that are harmed by businesses being shut down.  Some people will make out better (my daughter) but some people are still going to make less (my ex).

DF and I are not harmed by the virus so sending us universal income would just be money that I invest.  I'm not ok with that.  

We will not be getting the $1,200 each and I'm ok with that, too.  I do not need it and I'm happy that I don't.  

One of the pressers about the Cares Act mentioned the extra $600 is to compensate people in areas such as CA where unemployment maxes at $450 a week and people's rent alone can be thousands of dollars per month.

Plus, everything else is expensive and people without jobs might need to pay for COBRA or their own health insurance.

The price of everything in the stores appears to be going up.

People are forced to shop more now that there are limits. Imagine having 3 or 4 kids and only being able to buy one package of pasta and one gallon of milk at a time...

Public transportation is no longer available in many areas. The added need for frequent shopping may require paying an expensive taxi.

[teen persuasion]

Apr 9, 2020 10:48:26 GMT -5 CCL said:

Apr 9, 2020 10:15:02 GMT -5 hoops902 said:

Are people who don't work ("deadbeats") getting any less money than they otherwise would have without the pandemic?  Plus another $1200.  

My understanding is they won't get the extra $600 a week in unemployment. I'd rather see the extra go to people who had been working than to those who haven't.

Another thing I wondered about is health insurance. If folks are laid-off, won't a lot of them lose their insurance, too?

If you lost your insurance, you can sign up for coverage thru ACA.  In fact, many states that run their own exchanges reopened their marketplace for open enrollment, knowing many people's income would change even if they didn't lose a job. 


Of course, Trump refused to reopen the federal marketplace many other states rely on.

[Miss Tequila]

Apr 9, 2020 11:55:37 GMT -5 oped said:

Great. Happy for you. Everyone is you. I realize that now. 

There are lots of people just like me.  How many people on this board have lost their job over covid-19?  How many are still working, regardless of whether it is from home or going out?  Yes, people are mad that if they were laid-off they would be making more, but that doesn't actually equate to being harmed.  I don't know why you get snarky because I think only people that are harmed should get additional government money.

[Miss Tequila]

Apr 9, 2020 12:02:16 GMT -5 @shastasnewlife said:

Apr 9, 2020 11:51:45 GMT -5 Miss Tequila said:

Why should people who are not harmed at all (those already on government assistance with no earned income) get even more money?  The increase in unemployment is to help offset those that are harmed by businesses being shut down.  Some people will make out better (my daughter) but some people are still going to make less (my ex).

DF and I are not harmed by the virus so sending us universal income would just be money that I invest.  I'm not ok with that.  

We will not be getting the $1,200 each and I'm ok with that, too.  I do not need it and I'm happy that I don't.  

One of the pressers about the Cares Act mentioned the extra $600 is to compensate people in areas such as CA where unemployment maxes at $450 a week and people's rent alone can be thousands of dollars per month.

Plus, everything else is expensive and people without jobs might need to pay for COBRA or their own health insurance.

The price of everything in the stores appears to be going up.

People are forced to shop more now that there are limits. Imagine having 3 or 4 kids and only being able to buy one package of pasta and one gallon of milk at a time...

Public transportation is no longer available in many areas. The added need for frequent shopping may require paying an expensive taxi.

I see that as a state issue.  That is a ridiculously low unemployment payment for someone that lives in an extremely HCOLA.  PA is capped at $573 per week (that might be last year's rate...not sure if it went up).  I'm not saying you are going to live large on that, but in my area rents are in the hundreds of dollars and not thousands.  

[bean29]

Apr 9, 2020 11:40:32 GMT -5 oped said:

Because I think hurricanegirl would be ok with an extra $1000 a month instead of 2400... because I'd like minnesotta and drama etc. to also be getting the extra $1000 during this time of hardship.  My college kids have very little extra needs during this time and we can cover them... mostly because my son is a sophomore and a loophole lets him not pay his rent for the 9 weeks he's home... other's aren't so lucky... and foster kids need computers and a place to stay...

There are people not being caught by unemployment as the biggest mechanism for government assistance. I would have rather the 'stimulus' be structured differently. That's all. 

Was he in college housing? or was he in off campus housing with a different landlord? Cause my DD paid her rent - she only has 1/2 month left on her lease - but Details Please!

[oped]

Apr 9, 2020 12:17:21 GMT -5 Miss Tequila said:

Apr 9, 2020 11:55:37 GMT -5 oped said:

Great. Happy for you. Everyone is you. I realize that now. 

There are lots of people just like me.  How many people on this board have lost their job over covid-19?  How many are still working, regardless of whether it is from home or going out?  Yes, people are mad that if they were laid-off they would be making more, but that doesn't actually equate to being harmed.  I don't know why you get snarky because I think only people that are harmed should get additional government money.

Because I spend most of my time on the edge lately? 

Harm is not defined by me in such a limited ways. Lots of people are paying more, have additional expenses, find their lives changed much by the current circumstances and not all of them are unemployed. 

This solution ALSO rewards people who don't necessarily need it. As was basically the entire OP point if i understand correctly...  

[oped]

Apr 9, 2020 12:25:50 GMT -5 bean29 said:

Apr 9, 2020 11:40:32 GMT -5 oped said:

Because I think hurricanegirl would be ok with an extra $1000 a month instead of 2400... because I'd like minnesotta and drama etc. to also be getting the extra $1000 during this time of hardship.  My college kids have very little extra needs during this time and we can cover them... mostly because my son is a sophomore and a loophole lets him not pay his rent for the 9 weeks he's home... other's aren't so lucky... and foster kids need computers and a place to stay...

There are people not being caught by unemployment as the biggest mechanism for government assistance. I would have rather the 'stimulus' be structured differently. That's all. 

Was he in college housing? or was he in off campus housing with a different landlord? Cause my DD paid her rent - she only has 1/2 month left on her lease - but Details Please!

Drexel requires students to live on campus or in affiliate housing for 2 years. His apartment building is affiliate housing. As he is technically a sophomore, he is under that dictate, so the university worked with the affiliate housing company for rent abatement.  If you are a junior or senior however, you are considered to have actively pursued an open market lease, so they do not qualify. 

[Tiny]

Will the people who recieve the extra $600 a week have to eventually pay income tax(es) on it?    

[Deleted]

Apr 9, 2020 13:44:15 GMT -5 Tiny said:

Will the people who recieve the extra $600 a week have to eventually pay income tax(es) on it?    

I do believe it's taxable just like other UI payments.

[justme]

There's a lot of people who haven't lost their job but their company has said hey we're paying you 20% less. They get no part of the $600 week others are getting but definitely have been harmed and could possibly be in a bad position because of the decrease.

My company so far has decided that everyone has to go on a 2 week furlough. Supposedly they say we can get unemployment for it but my state still has a 1 week waiting period and the lowest payment of all the 50 states (ok, we're tied). I'll be fine since a chunk of my spending is discretionary. One week of unemployment will be nice though. Especially since they're taking our employee portion of insurance out of the next two paychecks and I'm missing a 401k  payment (I know, I know, but I'd like to be able to put the same amount in my Roth)

[TheOtherMe]

Talked to my niece today.  She was already furloughed and her husband was this week (because of his diabetes).

She has filed for unemployment and received notice today that it was approved.  So next week, she should be receiving the unemployment plus the $600.  It doesn't come close to her salary.

Her husband will be paid his regular pay for 2 weeks due to some provision in the CARES Act.  Then he will be on FMLA and receive his regular pay.  However, it's for 40 hours per week and he always worked overtime.  

She is thankful for the unemployment and $600 but would rather be working.  So would he.  

They are looking forward to hopefully getting the Stimulus money next week.  

They probably spend more than they make.  That's what my BIL has always said about them.  They only lease cars because they have to always be driving a new car.  They have a huge RV.  They built a 3 car garage that is almost as big as their house.  I don't know what they keep in it because it was supposed to be for the RV but the RV doesn't stay in the garage.

They went to Cancun in February to celebrate their 20th anniversary with 3 other couples.  I was told that was paid for with money that my sister gave them from her eventual inheritance from dad.  That's fine with me as my niece was his Medical POA and was invaluable to us during the last year of dad's life.  The same for the last 6 months of mom's life.  She earned that money.

They are definitely not YM people.

[jelloshots4all]

Does anyone have a good link to the CARES Act?  I keep searching but finding conflicting reports.

I went on unemployment 1/1/20.  Not by choice, but because my position was eliminated.  I was very actively looking for a new position and my last interview was on 3/12 in a final round (9 interviews with this company), then the world shut down.  Someone on a different thread said I should receive the $600.  While my position was not lost due to CV, potential employment has STOPPED, so CV has affected my chance of employment right now.

I'm glad people are receiving the $$.  As I stated before I don't believe I will, and my family will be fine.  I just want facts.

[oped]

www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2020/03/30/cares-act-coronavirus-full-text/#7eb973f825f0

I'm pretty sure you will jello... One of the issues is that unemployment is also a state thing... so while I think you should get it... I am not sure how your state is operating. 

For instance this is supposed to cover independent contractors, gig, etc... but PA is not allowing them to file yet. And I saw people from Michigan saying they haven't been able to yet either... so? ... I'm not sure how everything is actually being implemented. 

[Deleted]

The $600 is for everyone on UI. 


www.afacwa.org/increased_unemployment_covid19

[billisonboard]

Apr 9, 2020 16:43:38 GMT -5 jelloshots4all said:

Does anyone have a good link to the CARES Act?  I keep searching but finding conflicting reports.

I went on unemployment 1/1/20.  Not by choice, but because my position was eliminated.  I was very actively looking for a new position and my last interview was on 3/12 in a final round (9 interviews with this company), then the world shut down.  Someone on a different thread said I should receive the $600.  While my position was not lost due to CV, potential employment has STOPPED, so CV has affected my chance of employment right now.

I'm glad people are receiving the $$.  As I stated before I don't believe I will, and my family will be fine.  I just want facts.

The other piece of this is a 14 week extention of benefits that could come into play for you.

[jelloshots4all]

Thanks all!!  I appreciate the info!

As much as I hate my daily job search/ interviewing, I REALLY want to go back to work!!!  Frustrating!!  I was in the midst of 3 interview processes, including 9 interviews with the company I mentioned, and POOF!!!  No one is hiring except grocery stores/gas stations, etc.

Good luck to all!  Stay safe!

[countrygirl2]

I think the renter that works at the nursing home probably quit her job to get it. I don't know when she quit or that she had. I had PMed her to tell her I had some masks she could use and she said she quit. Did not want to chance bringing it home to her 17 year old DD. She said they had no PPE, was looking for another job. Where would you work now that you did not come into contact with people?  

I would almost bet she did thinking she would get more money this way, but I can't prove it of course.  And maybe she was being honest. Or maybe she lost that job too, she doesn't seem to be able to keep one for long. She had gotten some payment from her hubs death, then it stopped and she still gets SS for her daughter till she is 18. She did not work all those years and I don't think she wants to. Will be interesting to see what happens when the daughters SS stops.  

But I wonder how many have quit to get UE.

We could have filed returns for DD and MIL, but why? Would have been issues with their Medicaid so we opted out of the $1200 each. We aren't trying to get it.

I need to look at our returns, I think we may each get it. Fine if we do, fine if we don't. We may donate some or it in for rental money we don't receive. To be determined.