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ARPA and COBRA SubsidiesARPA and COBRA Subsidies. What All Employers Need to Know

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) established a 100% COBRA premium subsidy for assistance eligible individuals (AEI) for the period April 1st, 2021 through September 30th, 2021.

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return to school paid leaveBack to School 2020 & Paid Leave

New rules require and modify Federally-Mandated paid leave for employees with children How the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) applies to the new 2020-2021 School Year When are employees eligible for paid leave? When are they not?

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return to work checklistChecklist: Return to Work

What do you need to do to ensure compliance? 4 things every employer must do as business re-opens and employees return to the work premises.

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New Pre-Tax Reimbursement Rules Require Employer AttentionNew Pre-Tax Reimbursement Rules Require Employer Attention

Should Employers Implement the New Pre-Tax Reimbursement Rules? In response to COVID-19, significant pre-tax reimbursement rule changes have been implemented in the benefits landscape.  How should employers respond?

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COBRA fees waived for the next 6 monthsCOBRA Admin Fees Waived by VantagePoint

VantagePoint Waives New COBRA Administration Fees for 6 Months* Furloughs, layoffs, and COBRA rules Did you know? When the carriers revert to their eligibility minimum this creates a COBRA event. If a furloughed employee is ultimately discharged this creates a COBRA event. If a full-time employee returns on a part-time basis, this creates a COBRA …

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cobra and health insurance major rule changesMajor Changes to Health Insurance and COBRA Rules

The Departments of Treasury and Labor, along with the IRS has created a time-frame extension affecting group health and welfare, disability, and pension plans due to COVID-19. These new rules apply for 60 days after the announced end of the declared National Emergency. This 60-day period is now called the ‘Outbreak Period’.

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health insurance premiumNew York State Extends Health Insurance Premium Payment Grace Period

A recent Executive Order issued by Governor Cuomo extends health insurance premium payment grace periods for individual and small group plans provided you demonstrate financial hardship as a result of the novel coronavirus (“COVID‑19”) pandemic.

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new tax-free programs for employees affected by the COVID-19 shutdownNew Tax-Free Benefit Programs for Employees: Living Expenses and Student Loans

In our continuing efforts to help employers and their employees, we have launched two little-known but very effective tax-deductible reimbursement programs.

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small business grants and loansNewly Announced Small-Business Support and Financing

Alternative Avenues for Business Support Current & Newly Announced Grants & Loans

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how does the cares act enhances my benefitsHow Does the CARES Act Enhances My Benefits?

Benefit Enhancements OTC Pre-Tax Reimbursement Over-the-Counter Prescriptions (OTC) no longer need a physician’s prescription. This applies to Flexible Spending plans (FSA) or Health Saving Accounts (HSA). It can be retroactively applied on 1/1/2020. Adopting this will require adjustments to your Section 125 plan documents. If you are not familiar with a Section 125 document (they …

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