Operation and Services Update from the MassHire South Shore Workforce Team
Update 3/30/2020
Sign up for a town hall presentation on applying for unemployment assistance.
Due to the State of Emergency declared by Governor Baker regarding the Coronavirus the MassHire South Shore Career Centers in Quincy and Plymouth and the MassHire South Shore Workforce Board offices in Quincy are closed to the public until further notice. The organization is in the process of establishing an on-line and remote platform to continue to provide as many services and resources as possible to our valued customers. We hope to be operational in this regard in the coming week. To obtain the latest information and announcements please visit our organization websites at www.masshiresouthshorecc.com or www.masshiresouthshorewb.com. To stay up to date on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts guidance and response regarding COVID-19 visit www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-the-outbreak-of-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19.
General Announcements and Resource Links
Jobseeker and Unemployment Information:
- If you have an appointment scheduled with a staff member of the organization you will be contacted to reschedule and discuss next steps.
- If you wish to file a new Unemployment Claim or have a question on an existing claim please visit www.mass.gov/unemployment-insurance-ui-online and/or www.Mass.Gov/Topics/Unemployment or call by phone at (877) 626-6800 Monday – Friday from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
- To continue your Career Development visit https://portal.masscis.intocareers.org/ to access a variety of online resources and services.
- If you are a Veteran seeking services please contact visit the following link for a listing of services and contact information: https://www.masshiresouthshorecc.com/veteran-services/
Business Services and Resources:
The MassHire South Shore Business Engagement Team remains available to assist businesses in the region remotely. Please visit the following link to find a list of services and contact information to receive assistance. https://www.masshiresouthshorecc.com/employers/
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is providing a variety of resources and services to assist businesses during this difficult time. In addition to the list below please visit the following link for a complete and updated list of resources: www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-resources-and-guidance-for-businesses
- $10M Small Business Recovery Fund Announced by Governor Baker
The program is open to small businesses with less than 50 employees who can demonstrate an adverse impact on revenues resulting from the coronavirus outbreak. Loans are up to $75,000, with an annual interest rate of 3%; there are no payments for the first six months, followed 30-months of principal and interest payments. Visit the Mass Growth Capital Corporations (MGCC) website for details:
www.empoweringsmallbusiness.org.
- Small Business Administration’s Economic Disaster Loan Program
Massachusetts small businesses can now access and apply for Economic Impact Disaster Loans at www.sba.gov/disaster.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has established a toll-free line to answer questions at 1-800-659-2955.
- The Baker-Polito Administration announced administrative tax relief measures for small local businesses impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, especially in the restaurant and hospitality sectors. The collection of regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes that would be due in March, April and May are now due on June 20, 2020. Additionally, all penalties and interest that would otherwise apply will be waived.Businesses that paid less than $150,000 in regular sales plus meals taxes in the year ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief for sales and meals taxes, and business that paid less than $150,000 in room occupancy taxes in the year ending February 29, 2020 will be eligible for relief with respect to room occupancy taxes.The Department of Revenue is currently drafting emergency regulations to implement these administrative relief measures, and they are expected to be finalized before Friday, March 20, 2020.
- Governor’s Emergency Order announced on Sunday, March 15th, 2020.
The Governor’s announcement on Sunday, March 15th bans gatherings of over 25 people, as well as prohibits the on-site consumption of food and drink at restaurants and bars. Please find dedicated guidance for businesses and employers at
https://www.mass.gov/doc/march-15-2020-assemblage-guidance/.This order is became effective March 17th. - Unemployment Assistance Resources for Businesses
Read about steps the Baker-Polito Administration is taking to ensure that unemployment assistance is available to those who need it at
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-guidance-and-directives#businesses-&-employers-.The WorkShare program can an alternative to layoffs where employees have their hours reduced while still collecting unemployment benefits. Visit (https://www.mass.gov/workshare-for-employers) or contact WorkShare staff directly for assistance at (617) 626 5521.The Rapid Response Program provides a variety of services to help businesses considering a staff layoff. Visit https://www.mass.gov/prevent-layoffs-with-rapid-response or call (617) 626-5703 for assistance.