Appropriations Law Includes New Health Benefits Requirements

By David Slaughter, JD The massive appropriations and COVID-19 relief legislation that President Trump signed December 27, 2020, includes a number of provisions affecting employers’ health benefit programs. These include arbitration procedures for “surprise billing” situations, a new layer of transparency requirements, added flexibility for flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and disclosure rules regarding mental healthContinue Reading

PPP: First and Second Draw Loans

Payroll Protection Program (PPP) portal resumes January 11, 2021 to accept applications for First Draw PPP Loans.  Second Draw Loan applications are accepted January 13, until March 31, 2021.  The Payroll Protection Program is a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their employees on payroll. Loans have 1% interest rate. Loans issued before JuneContinue Reading

$900 Billion COVID-19 Relief

The U.S. Congress passed a $892 billion COVID-19 relief act December 21, 2020, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.  President Trump reluctantly signed the bill into law Sunday, December 27, 2020, demanding Congress increase stimulus payments from $600 to $2,000 per individual.  The House passed the  stimulus increase to $2,000 per individual.  The bill heads to theContinue Reading

Vacation and Holiday Checklist

The more questions to which you answer “yes,” the more complete your policy is regarding vacations and holidays. General Do you have a policy: Regarding vacation days? Regarding holidays? Are these policies in writing? Do you have a system for tracking when vacation days and holidays are used? Do you use a computer system forContinue Reading

Texas Workforce Commission Nov 1 Changes

European countries like France and Germany are reinstating lockdowns amidst the second wave of Coronavirus.  Here in the United States, Texas continues on the path to reopen its economy.  One of the latest measures comes from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) reinstating the state work search requirements effective November 1, 2020. Work search is aContinue Reading

Legal Immigration Further Restricted

Monday, June 22, 2020, President Trump issued a Proclamation to further restrict legal immigration.  Employers are prevented from bringing new H-1B, H-2B, L-1A, L-1B, and J-1 workers into the United States.  Effective June 24, 2020 new temporary visas will be barred through 2020 for foreign workers and their dependents. With these new rules in place,Continue Reading

PPP Loan Forgiveness: UPDATES

UPDATE: July 1, 2020:  U.S. Congress extends PPP Application Deadline to August 8. The PPP application deadline has been extended from June 30, 2020 to August 8, 2020.  The President is expected to sign the bill later today.  No other details or aspects of the PPP have been changed. U.S. Congress: House Passes Legislation toContinue Reading

COVID-19 Emergency Unemployment Benefits

The US Department of Labor issued Unemployment Insurance Program Letters to enhance State Unemployment provisions during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.  What does this mean for employers and the unemployed? Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Unemployment Compensation Provisions The Federal government is working with State governments to issue grants, to provide emergency flexibilities related toContinue Reading

Update: PPP Borrowers , CARES Act Tax Deferrals

UPDATE: Congress passed legislation for additional funding for small businesses. Approximately $310 billion more for the Paycheck Protection Program with no changes to eligibility requirements. $10 billion for Economy Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance Grants and $50 billion additional authorization for EIDL loans $75 billion for hospitals and healthcare providers’ COVID-19 expenses and losses $25Continue Reading

Help to Keep Business Financially Sound

During this time of uncertainty, UniqueHR is here to help.  Companies are working hard to retain their employees, while still keeping their businesses financially sound. If this applies to you then I suggest you click here now. You’ll find just the help you need there. It is also important to understand that the government recentlyContinue Reading

Cornonavirus-COVID-19, Response Act

It is UniqueHR’s goal to keep our clients updated and at the front lines of any regulatory and policy changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  On March 18, 2020, the Senate passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act which was signed by the president that same evening.  The Act is an economic stimulus plan aimedContinue Reading

Expertise Where It Counts

Expertise is defined by Webster’s as “a high level of knowledge or skill”.  Many businesses simply can’t afford to hire experts on staff.  For this reason, it has become commonplace for companies to contract with outside accountants and attorneys.  Ever-changing laws and regulations make having an accountant and attorney a must for any business. WhatContinue Reading

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