House Democrats are seeking to have the federal government provide individuals unable to work because of the coronavirus with two-thirds of their average monthly earnings, capped at $4,000.
The plan, a provision in legislation introduced by House Democrats late Thursday night and meant for a quick vote, would create a new federal “emergency paid leave” program of up to three months for individuals who take 14 or more days of leave from their work due to the virus.
The provision is a part of legislation that the House will vote on Thursday afternoon, and it creates a new federal emergency paid leave program of up to three months for individuals who are forced to take more than two weeks of leave from their work due to the virus, either because they are sick themselves, are self-quarantined because they were exposed to the illness, or are caring for someone else who is ailing. The federal government, through the Social Security Administration, would pay the benefits.
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Congress’s attending physician reportedly told congressional staffers that he expects as many as 150 million people to be infected by the virus. An estimate by the American Action Forum of a similar paid leave program found that it could cost the federal government around $180 billion.
The provision prevents “double-dipping,” that is, receiving wages or unemployment benefits while also collecting emergency leave payments, as these do not count as leave days for purposes of the new benefit.
The new program is temporary in that benefits are available for work disruptions that occurred between Jan. 19, 2020, the first known case of the coronavirus, through one year after the date of the bill’s enactment. Benefits will be paid retroactively.
To apply for the benefits, workers can go online or call the SSA field offices. Workers are not required to visit the field offices.
