Families First Coronavirus Response Act

March 18, 2020 | H.R. 6201

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic left families across the country devastated and in need of support to combat the public health and economic emergencies taking place. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (H.R. 6201) provides flexible leave, extended unemployment benefits, coronavirus testing, and expanded social assistance for families. Namely it:

• Includes two weeks of paid leave for both public and private sector workers
• Requires employers to provide two weeks of paid sick leave and up to 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave for employees affected by the coronavirus 
• Provides emergency leave for workers who are unable to work or telework but have children under 18 whose school or place of care is closed, or their child care provider is unavailable because of a public health emergency
• Ensures that states that see their unemployment rates rise by at least 10% are eligible for interest free loans to extend unemployment payments. 
• Suspends the work requirements for SNAP benefits
• Allocates $250 million in funding for home-delivery meals to seniors, $400 million for food banks, and $500 million to help feed families.
• Allow schools that provide free to go breakfasts and lunches to low income students to distribute.