Our first week of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) payments and the last of the paper timesheets is behind us! Nobody seems to be misty about the paper timesheets, but a number of questions have come forth about the PPP. The following will shed some light on this economic support.
As an agency FCC applied for, and received, a loan under the PPP which will ultimately work like a grant (i.e the loan will be forgiven) in certain circumstances. The biggest factor for us is to pay employees and retain them through an 8-week period ending on June 13. As well, you will recall from the Virtual Town Hall meeting that the PPP was designed as an economic support to retain employees and provide for an economic stimulus. As part of this program the agency had to calculate an average number of worked per week (from 2/16 to 4/11). We are asking all employees to indicate the actual hours worked via Ascentis by punching in/out, and if it is less than the PPP number of hours that difference will be added at the end of the pay period. If you have a question about the hours attributed to you for the PPP, your director has that information.
A financial issue compounded by the PPP is that unemployment in Minnesota and Wisconsin takes into account the income you received in a given week. In some cases the PPP income was not expected and resulted in a potential overpayment from unemployment. In other cases an employee may be eligible for a higher total payment from unemployment when the $600 payments are included. This was certainly not our intent, and our focus – especially for the 8-week period covered by the PPP – has been to continue regular payments to employees for as long as possible. Unemployment compensation may still be a factor following the PPP. The supplemental allowance, as well as partial benefits for weeks with some hours worked, will be available through July 31.
We have begun distribution of coffee mugs with some chocolate kisses to employees signifying that everyone at FCC should consider themselves essential! There has been so much discussion about what is or is not an essential service, that it is worth telling you – in a meaningful way – that everyone at FCC is considered essential! Many of us see clients, others work in ways to support the program and services we offer so clients can continue to count on FCC. Enjoy the treat and THANKS for sticking with us!