Information About COVID-19

COVID-19, the 2019 novel coronavirus, has had a significant impact on Maine businesses and workers. We know there are many concerns and want to be able to provide information as soon as we possibly can. Information related to the workplace is linked below. As changes are made, updates will be posted. To receive updates directly, please follow the Maine Department of Labor on Facebook and Twitter.

More information can be found at https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/covid-19

Unemployment

• Update! Status Update on New Federal Unemployment Programs (PDF): Thursday night the 16th, the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) payments  of $600 per week were made to those already receiving regular unemployment benefits. These were made retroactive to 4/4/2020.  State income tax was not removed from this initial distribution but will be taken from future weekly distributions of the $600.  If you were paid earlier this week, your regular weekly benefit amount, this week you will receive the $600 separately. Going forward you will receive your weekly benefit amount and your $600 together if requested.
• To review FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS, please download the Unemployment Insurance FAQs Regarding COVID-19 document (PDF)
• To file for unemployment benefits, visit: https://www.maine.gov/unemployment/
• A summary of Unemployment Programs: This is a table that summarizes state and federal unemployment programs and status of their availability. (PDF)

State and Federal Wage and Hour Guidance

• Information for employees and employers on new federal paid sick leave or federal paid family and medical leave from U.S. DOL:
  • Information about the The Families First Coronavirus Response Act - FFCRA (PDF)
  • U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Information
• Guidance for Agricultural Employers in Maine for Addressing COVID-19 (PDF)
• Guidance for Construction Employers in Maine for Addressing COVID-19 (PDF)
• Maine has leave laws that may apply to people affected by COVID-19. Please view this summary.

Other News and Information

• From Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service - Registration for Economic Impact Payments for those who don’t normally file a tax return: Visit the new web tool.
• Information relating to Workers’ Compensation Board.
• Public Sector Enforcement Guidance for N95 Respirators. (PDF)
• Interim Enforcement Guidance from OSHA for Respiratory Protection During COVID-19 designed to help combat supply shortages of disposable N95 filtering face piece respirators.
• DHHS Assistance Related to COVID-19. (PDF)
• DHHS Covers Parent Portion of Fee for Certain Subsidized Child Care. (PDF)
• Paycheck Protection Program - Information on Small Business Administration’s loan program designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.

What's New

• 4/16/2020: Maine Department of Labor Releases Initial and Weekly Unemployment Claims Data for Week Ending April 11
• 4/14/2020: Dept. of Labor: Claimants will See Additional $600 Early Next Week, Call-in Times Extended
• 4/13/2020: Dept. of Labor: Even though Schools are Remote for Rest of Year, Labor Laws Still Apply
• 4/9/2020: Maine Department of Labor Releases Initial and Weekly Unemployment Claims Data for Week Ending April 4
• 4/3/2020: Maine Department of Labor Announces Alphabetical Call-in Schedule for Unemployment Benefits
• 4/3/2020: Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act Effective April 1
• 4/2/2020: Maine Department of Labor Releases Initial Unemployment Claims Data for Week Ending March 28
• 4/1/2020: MDOL Opted in to New Temporary Federal Unemployment Programs to help Maine Workers and Employers during COVID-19 Emergency

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