by Kidest Beyene, Senior at The Ohio State University
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many non-essential workers to worry about how they will be able to pay bills without receiving compensation. In Ohio, workers who have been laid off due to the closure of non-essential businesses are eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Prior to Governor DeWine’s unemployment expansion plan, Ohioans could only receive unemployment benefits if they were actively seeking employment.
On March 18, Congress passed and the President signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) to provide extra funding to states. FFCRA requires employers with less than 500 employees to allow employees who have been told to quarantine or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms up to two weeks of paid sick leave. Employees who are taking care of children due to the closure of childcare services are eligible to receive paid leave at two-thirds the regular rate of pay for up to two weeks.
On March 27, Congress passed and the President signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, Fund, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) which includes a $2 trillion stimulus package.. This federal bill provides $1,200 to many eligible Americans who make $75,000 per year or less, and an additional $500 for Americans with a dependent child. Married couples are eligible to receive up to $2,400 with $500 for each dependent child under the age of 17.
Although a disproportionate number of immigrants throughout the country work at essential jobs during the pandemic, undocumented immigrants do not receive unemployment insurance or a stimulus check. However, states are able to include undocumented immigrants if they choose. For instance, states like Texas, California, Colorado, and New York have extended the eligibility for unemployment benefits to include DACA recipients.
States are also able to provide unemployment insurance to DACA recipients and immigrants with Temporary Protected States (TPS). Ohio allows individuals with an alien registration number and work authorization to apply for and receive unemployment compensation benefits. Yet many immigrants who work long-hours supporting our critical businesses and who pay taxes will not receive any unemployment compensation assistance from the State of Ohio because of their current immigration status.
It is important that states extend federal policies and make them more inclusive of underrepresented minorities, such as immigrants. We need an economic plan that includes all workers that make valuable contributions to the function of our economy.
Finally, underrepresented workers must know that employers are not able to withhold any paychecks during this pandemic. Workers who have worked the hours must receive the pay. Employers are not entitled to late payments, pandemic or not. If you believe that you are still owed money for work you have performed, please reach out to the Central Ohio Worker Center at centralohioworkercenter@gmail.com.
References
https://www.ncsl.org/ncsl-in-dc/publications-and-resources/coronavirus-stimulus-bill-states.aspx
https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hblog20200416.887086/full/