HELP FOR EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYERS – COVID-19 (Novel Corona Virus)

RE-OPENING GUIDELINES – CLICK HERE

Hello Everyone,

First of all, I want to start with, I am so sorry we are all going through this right now.

As if you all do not have enough stress you are dealing with, I am sure you are all being inundated with questions regarding unemployment.

I finally got through to the department of labor and the Governor’s office and would like to share what I learned in case you have not had the time to research.

This will be something you can reference as well as forward onto your employees.

EMPLOYEES:

  • Can file at any time at dol.nebraska.gov. If an employee knows for sure they will be laid off (meaning there is a job waiting for you when this is all over) or has been fired or let go (there is no job in the future), they should start the process now.
  • The waiting week to receive benefits have been waived during this time
  • The job search requirement has been waived during this time
  • Benefits are typically 50% of average pay
  • You will need the following to file: Social security #, complete home mailing address with zipcode and country, phone #, Email Address, drivers license # or state ID, if you want direct deposit then your routing and account #s, the company names of all employers from the past 18 months as they appear on paycheck stubs or W-2 forms, complete mailing addresses of employers including zips and city, start and end dates with each employer including month/day/yr, reason for leaving employer, employer authorization # and expiration date if you are a non-citizen, if served in the military in the past 18 month then a DD 214 #4 form.
  • The processing typically takes 21 days and they are hoping to keep close to that amount of time with the influx of claims filed
  • See attached sheet for workers for more information
  • If you would like to mail your form in: Department of Labor, PO BOX 94600, Lincoln, NE 68509
  • If you would like to take the form in person: Department of Labor, 500 South 16th Street, Lincoln, NE 68509
  • Filing on line is preferred

EMPLOYERS:

  • You must determine if each employee filing is permanently terminated or temporarily laid off
  • You must be the one who files for Short Time Compensation (employee can still work but their hours are cut drastically). To file visit dol.nebraska.gov. and scroll through the middle banner until Short Time Compensation comes up and hit learn more. See attached sheet for more information. Currently the maximum lay off period is 112 days and they are suggesting you put 112 days on the form in this situation. You will not be penalized for a shorter term.
  • If you do not have a program that can quickly report their average hours worked, you will need that information.
  • You will be required to report hours worked by employees weekly.

They are updating their website as often as possible!

GOVERNOR’S OFFICE:

Working feverishly with the President for Federal Resources and Emergency Funds

This information will be provided through press conferences and on tv news channels

Keep your heads up and let’s get through this!!!

If you are looking for ways to distribute your fresh foods please keep these in mind:

                Food Bank for the Heartland       402-331-1213

                Saving Grace                                      402-215-6718

                Employees in need

Sincerely,

The Board of the Omaha Restaurant Association and the Executive Director, Jennie Warren

FACT SHEETS – State of Nebraska

Employee Information Download

Employer Information Download