COVID-19 Response & Resources
Our Response
This is an unprecedented time for our country. As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to evolve rapidly throughout the world and the United States, we have a heightened sense of awareness at Branch Benefits Consultants of our responsibility to our employees, clients and partners. This includes doing our part to help prevent further outbreaks.
We have taken the following precautions:
- Eliminated corporate travel
- Eliminated all external meetings
- Transitioned our staff to a rotating remote working schedule
- Increased cleaning and disinfecting of our workspaces
- Disseminated proper personal hygiene practices to our staff
- Made it safe (both financially and with job security) for our staff to stay home if they are sick
We want to assure you that Branch Benefits Consultants is, and will remain, open for business. While they may not be physically in the office, our crew will remain available during our current operating hours of Monday – Thursday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (closed 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm for lunch) and Friday from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm. All of our employees are dedicated to delivering responsive and exceptional service as we collectively adapt to a "new normal".
Resources for EMPLOYERS
Commercial Insurance Implications & Information
How Coronavirus Could Impact Your Business’s Insurance
NCCI Publishes Changes to Workers Compensation Due to COVID-19
Resource Guide for COVID-19 Cybersecurity
Why Pandemic Coverage Is Not Included In Business Interruption Insurance
Work Comp Insights - Coronavirus Considerations
Workers Compensation Related Updates
To all of our clients that are either based in California or have California operations, we are aware of the recent proposed legislation by the head of the California Division of Insurance to require reimbursement of premiums for clients that have personal and commercial policies in place with California appointed carriers. We are monitoring this legislation closely and we are in contact with those carriers. At this time there has not been any updates on when and/or how this will be processed. It is our intention to continue to monitor this situation and update effected clients as soon as we hear more specific details from the carriers or DOI. We are advising our clients to continue to make their premium payments (if they can) and if there is a financial hardship to contact the carrier directly as many have instituted a hardship forbearance during this time. We are here to assist with that communication and to offer any other policy service needs.
Financial Assistance & IRS Information
CARES Act – Small Business Loan Overview
Coronavirus - Small Business Guidance & Loans
IRS Issues Guidance on Tax Credit for Coronavirus Paid Leave
IRS Provides More Options for Unused Funds in Health FSA and DCAPs
Paycheck Protection Program FAQs for Small Businesses
PPP Guidance for Employees Refusing to Return to Work
Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act
Treasury Secretary Says More Funding Coming for Small Businesses
What to Do After Receiving a PPP Loan
Group Benefits Insurance Implications & Information
CARES Act Makes Changes for Retirement Plans
COVID-19 Scenarios and Benefits Available Table
FSA Eligible Expenses Expanded
HRA Eligible Expenses Expanded
HSA Eligible Expenses Expanded
Updating Health Plans for Coronavirus Changes
Human Resources & Compliance Information
DOL FAQs - Families First Coronavirus Response Act
DOL Guidance - Employer Paid Leave Requirements in the FFCRA
DOL Now Fully Enforcing FFCRA Paid Leave Rules for Coronavirus
EEOC Delays EEO-1, EEO-3 and EEO-5 Reports Until 2021
EEOC Updates Employer Guidance on Coronavirus and the ADA
Employee Leave Sharing Programs and Coronavirus
Employee Retention Tax Credits for Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus
FFCRA Small Employer Exemption - DOL Guidance
FFCRA Tax Credit for Self-Employed Business Owners
HR Compliance Bulletin – Coronavirus and the Workplace
HR Insights - CDC Guidance for Employees Following a COVID-19 Diagnosis or Exposure
HR Insights - Conducting a Remote Layoff
HR Insights - Furloughs and Layoffs
HR Insights - Pre-Employment Screening Amid COVID-19
HR Insights - Reopening a Business After the Coronavirus Shutdown
New Coronavirus Relief Laws Require Paid Employee Leave
Preventing Remote Employee Burnout During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Unemployment Benefits for Coronavirus under the CARES Act
Mandates - Federal & Location Information
Nevada Health Response COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Initiative
Opening Up America Again Guidelines
OSHA & Safety Information
Checklist COVID 19 and Your Workplace
CVSA Delays Annual International Roadcheck
Coronavirus Disruptions to CMV Driver Drug and Alcohol Testing
Coronavirus Recording and Reporting Under OSHA Rules
OSHA Eases Enforcement of Respiratory Protection Standards During N95 Shortage
OSHA Enforcement Priorities During the Coronavirus Pandemic
OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces
Risk Insights – Protecting Workers From Coronavirus
Risk Insights - Reopening a Business After the Coronavirus Shutdown
Templates
Coronavirus Employee Letter Template
COVID-19 Action Plan - Standard and Protocols
Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act – Leave Request Form
Employee Work From Home Guide Template
Essential Business Identification (COVID-19)
Essential Worker Employee Communications Letter
Notice Office Closure Poster Template
Resources for INDIVIDUALS
Auto, Home, & Life Insurance Implications & Information
Carrier Response to COVID-19 - Updated 4.17.20
CA Insurance Commissioner Premium Refund, Credits & Reductions Bulletin
Financial Assistance & Information
Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
CARES Act Allows Tax-free Student Loan Assistance
CCSD & Three Square Food Distribution
Eviction & Foreclosure Moratorium
IRS Section 139 Qualified Disaster Relief Payments and Coronavirus
Las Vegas Valley Water District COVID-19 Updates
Republic Services COVID-19 Updates
Southwest Gas COVID-19 Updates
T-Mobile Arena Employee Assistance
Health Insurance Implications & Information
FAQs on Essential Health Benefits Coverage for COVID 19
Silver State Health Exchange (Nevada Health Link): A one-time Exceptional Circumstance Special Enrollment Period (ECSEP) will run from March 17, 2020 through May 15, 2020 for qualified Nevadans who missed the Open Enrollment Period (OEP). For more information or to submit an application, call our office at 702-646-2082. Our licensed brokers can help you and/or your family and enroll you in the program.
Some States Require Insurance Protections Because of COVID-19
How to Help Small Businesses
10 Easy Ways to Support Small Business
List of Local Businesses Offering Carry-Out, Delivery, Gift Cards
General Health & Safety Information
Avoid Burnout While Working From Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic
CDC Guidance for Discontinuing Home Isolation
Community Service: Protect Yourself From Coronavirus Scams
Maintaining Well Being During A Quarantine
Meditation and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Special Shopping Hours - Albertsons
Staying Safe While Running Essential Errands During the COVID-19 Pandemic
General & Risk Management Information
About COVID-19
CDC Expands List of COVID-19 Symptoms
COVID-19, Flue, Cold or Allergies - Which Is It?
COVID-19 Officially a Pandemic, WHO Declares
Health & Safety Resources
CDC Recommends Wearing a Mask When You Go Out in Public
COVID19 What You Can Do High Risk
Flattening the Coronavirus Curve
Keep Surfaces Clean to Kill COVID-19
Step Away for Safety - Social Distancing
Mandate Updates - Federal
National Coronavirus Guidance for Americans
Mandate Updates - Nevada
Nevada Directives & Declarations
Medical Updates
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention Updates
Nevada Health Response - Daily Situation Report