COVID-19 Resources
COVID-19 Resources for teachers. Videos, FAQs and articles keeping educators up-to-date on how the pandemic is affecting schools.
COVID FAQs
MSTA has compiled this list of answers to frequently asked questions to help school employees navigate this time. Please understand this a fluid situation that can change by the hour. We will update as things continue to change.
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Are districts required to pay contracted employees during district closure?
Assuming the employee is “ready and willing to work” but for the closure, we believe the district is required to pay the contracted employee per the contract.
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Are districts required to pay non-contracted, hourly employees during district closures?
No, the Department of Labor recently released guidance reminding employers they are only required to pay non-exempt employees for hours actually worked. This would apply to hours missed due to illness, quarantine or school closure.
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Can a district force an employee to change/cancel travel plans?
No, but there might be consequences for choosing to keep personal travel plans. Travel recommendations and restrictions are changing daily. Potential travelers should monitor the CDC’s guidelines. See the above conversation for specifics.
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Can a school district require employees to log their travel plans with the district while the district closed?
There is not currently any federal or state guidance that allows employers to force employees to share travel plans when they are not working. While the CDC has provided guidance on travel restrictions, an employer is not in charge of enforcing those guidelines. Therefore we do not believe districts have the authority to issue blanket requests for all travel. Districts probably are, however, allowed to ask specifically about travel to areas that are listed on the CDC’s website as areas of particular concern. We should require districts asking for this information to provide the legal justification for such a request.
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Can a school district require or ask employees to come in and work during a school closure (e.g. provide “child care services” for the community)?
Governor Parson issued a new order covering social distancing on March 21. As part of that order, he stated that the order “does not prohibit schools from providing child care and Food and nutritional Services for those children that qualify. Teachers and staff may enter the building as long as they follow the directives set forth in the Order.”
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Can I benefit from the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program?
CARES ACT PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (PUA) UPDATE
The PUA created within the CARES Act extends unemployment benefits to gig workers, part-time employees, independent contractors and self-employed individuals, who were previously ineligible.
While the PUA has not been fully implemented, those who are self-employed, impacted by the coronavirus, and have not already filed a claim, are encouraged to file claims online at uinteract.labor.mo.gov. Most self-employed individuals will receive a notice that they are not an insured worker. In order to be eligible for the new PUA program, a claimant must first be determined ineligible for regular state unemployment benefits.
After the PUA program is operational, the DES will contact individuals who have been determined to be ineligible for regular unemployment benefits. Such individuals will be required to provide proof of earnings and proof of employment. Please see:
https://labor.mo.gov/news/press-releases/missouri-encourages-self-employed-gig-workers-apply-unemployment-expects-begin
You can then go to https://uinteract.labor.mo.gov/benefits/home.do to create an account and submit your application for UI benefits under the PUA.
Due to a record number of unemployment applications along with these new changes, delays should be expected.
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Do non-contracted employees qualify for unemployment benefits if they are quarantined or the district closes?
We think so, but it is not clear right now. The US Department of Labor issued brand new guidance that allows (but doesn’t force) states to take measures to cover these individuals. The obvious goal is to cover as many people as possible, but Missouri has not indicated whether or not they are going to follow the guidance. The new rules would allow benefits if: (1) the district closes, (2) the employee is quarantined or (3) the employee leaves employment due to risk of infection or to care for a family member.
CARES ACT PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (PUA) UPDATE
The PUA created within the CARES Act extends unemployment benefits to gig workers, part-time employees, independent contractors and self-employed individuals, who were previously ineligible.
While the PUA has not been fully implemented, those who are self-employed, impacted by the coronavirus, and have not already filed a claim, are encouraged to file claims online at uinteract.labor.mo.gov. Most self-employed individuals will receive a notice that they are not an insured worker. In order to be eligible for the new PUA program, a claimant must first be determined ineligible for regular state unemployment benefits.
After the PUA program is operational, the DES will contact individuals who have been determined to be ineligible for regular unemployment benefits. Such individuals will be required to provide proof of earnings and proof of employment. Please see:
https://labor.mo.gov/news/press-releases/missouri-encourages-self-employed-gig-workers-apply-unemployment-expects-begin
You can then go to https://uinteract.labor.mo.gov/benefits/home.do to create an account and submit your application for UI benefits under the PUA.
Due to a record number of unemployment applications along with these new changes, delays should be expected.
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How does the CARES Act affect me?
The third aid package of $2 Trillion intended to speed the relief across the American economy.
There are seven main groups identified in the Act. The following is information on sections most germane to our Members, including $560 Billion for individuals and $43.7 Billion for Education.
INDIVIDUALS:
• Cash payments of $1200 per adult earning up to $75,000. Married couples would each receive a check and families would get $500 per child. That means a family of four earning less than $150,000 can expect $3,400. These checks are non-taxable.
o Amounts will be decreased by $5 for every $100 over $75,000 earned by an individual (Based on 2018 or 2019 tax return). The cut-off is slightly higher for individuals filing as heads of households.
o Those on SS retirement or disability are also eligible for the aid check.
o See irs.gov/coronavirus for more information.
• Expanded unemployment eligibility and benefits
o $600 weekly benefit in addition to state unemployment benefits until July 31, 2020.
o Freelancers, contractors, gig, and self-employed workers, directly impacted by this public health emergency, will now be eligible for unemployment through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, available until December 31, 2020. This could impact those who supplement their income with part-time work such as driving an Uber.
o 13 weeks of unemployment insurance will be available for people nearing the end of state unemployment to get an extension. New filers will also be allowed to collect the benefits for the longer period.
EDUCATION:
• Student Loan and interest payment deferral
o Many borrowers will be temporarily relieved of payments-including principal and interest-on most federally held student loans through September 30, 2020. This temporary pause does NOT apply to private student loans, Perkins loans or FFEL loans.
o This temporary pause in payments is automatic. If someone contacts you to fill out paperwork or asks for money, it is a scam and you should report the party to the Federal Trade Commission.
o Borrowers get six months towards Loan Forgiveness and Loan Rehabilitation Programs such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Missouri has not yet implemented the PUA, which is the program in the CARES Act that expands eligibility to individuals not eligible for unemployment under existing state rules. Such as gig workers, independent contractors, the self-employed, etc.
The Missouri Department of Labor has updated the Q&A section of the unemployment page as well the relevant federal legislation tab.
Please see https://labor.mo.gov/coronavirus#mini-panel-coronavirus-tabs2 and https://labor.mo.gov/coronavirus#mini-panel-coronavirus-tabs1
Our best understanding, at this point, is that Missouri is ready to start accepting unemployment claims and process the FPUC ($600 additional federal benefit for those eligible for regular state unemployment benefits). If the individual is eligible to receive at least one dollar ($1) of underlying benefits for the claimed week, pursuant to Missouri guidelines, the claimant will receive the full $600 FPUC.
To check if you are eligible, please see https://labor.mo.gov/DES/Claims/eligibility_web
If you do NOT qualify for traditional unemployment benefits in Missouri, but think you may qualify for the PUA, please check the Missouri Department of Labor website daily for updates on the implementation of the PUA program
CARES ACT PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (PUA) UPDATE
The PUA created within the CARES Act extends unemployment benefits to gig workers, part-time employees, independent contractors and self-employed individuals, who were previously ineligible.
While the PUA has not been fully implemented, those who are self-employed, impacted by the coronavirus, and have not already filed a claim, are encouraged to file claims online at uinteract.labor.mo.gov. Most self-employed individuals will receive a notice that they are not an insured worker. In order to be eligible for the new PUA program, a claimant must first be determined ineligible for regular state unemployment benefits.
After the PUA program is operational, the DES will contact individuals who have been determined to be ineligible for regular unemployment benefits. Such individuals will be required to provide proof of earnings and proof of employment. Please see:
https://labor.mo.gov/news/press-releases/missouri-encourages-self-employed-gig-workers-apply-unemployment-expects-begin
You can then go to https://uinteract.labor.mo.gov/benefits/home.do to create an account and submit your application for UI benefits under the PUA.
Due to a record number of unemployment applications along with these new changes, delays should be expected.
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Q. Are employees required to notify their district if they are feeling symptomatic or test positive for COVID-19?
There may not be a legal requirement, but there is certainly an ethical obligation to do so.
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What changes to sick leave were included in the law passed?
You can learn more about the changes to the law in the blog post from staff attorney Scott Smith.
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What changes to sick leave were included in the law passed?
You can learn more about the changes to the law in the blog post from staff attorney Scott Smith.
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What steps are districts required to take to clean/disinfect schools to protect teachers and employees?
Most districts have policy language that includes a requirement to provide safe working environments (Policy GBE). That requirement is very nebulous, so there isn’t much actual direction. The CDC has guidance regarding how to clean and disinfect schools to help slow the spread of viruses. OSHA also has COVID-19 specific guidance for employers. School districts should obviously take as many preventative measures as possible and follow guidance from federal, state and local health officials. Here
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