| Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave Ending Early!
Massachusetts employers are required to make paid leave time available to employees for COVID-related illnesses, quarantine, and vaccinations, and then may apply for reimbursement from the state. This benefit was originally slated to end on April 1, 2022 (or until program funds ran out). The Commonwealth of Massachusetts announced that the program will be ending early on March 15, 2022.
Employers may seek reimbursement for qualifying leave costs taken between May 28, 2021 and March 15, 2022. Applications for reimbursement must be submitted by April 29, 2022.
How to submit for reimbursement:
Click Here: VIDEO TUTORIAL ON HOW TO SUBMIT FOR REIMBURSEMENT
Background:
Massachusetts COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave (MEPSL) was created in May, 2021, to assure that Massachusetts workers had access to paid sick leave in connection with COVID-19. While the program is in effect, employers must offer up to a week’s leave for qualifying reasons to their Massachusetts workforce, and may seek reimbursement from the Commonwealth, up to $850 per employee.
Under the terms of the MEPSL law, as amended, A&F is authorized to end the program with 15-days’ notice when $85 million in applications have been submitted, or the program is on track to hit its $100 million budget. Applications totaling $85 million have now been submitted.
Employers may continue to submit applications for reimbursement after the program has closed. A&F has determined that claims will be accepted for approximately 6 weeks after the program ends, until April 29, 2022.
For further information, including details on the mandate and on how to secure reimbursement, see https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-temporary-emergency-paid-sick-leave-program |