DES MOINES, IOWA (March 25, 2020) — The number of initial claims filed between Sunday, March 15, and Saturday, March 21 (the first time period that reflects the increased number of claims filed related to COVID-19, including the broader group of individuals eligible for claims due to the virus) was 40,952. The number of continuing weekly unemployment claims as a result of COVID-19 will be available in next Thursday's release.

WASHINGTON DC (March 26, 2020) — The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working to be as flexible as possible to get food out to the people who need it during the COVID-19 National Emergency. On Wednesday, March 18, President Donald J. Trump signed into law the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which includes billions of dollars in nutrition assistance for children and families.

DES MOINES, IOWA (March 25, 2020) — The Iowa Credit Union Foundation (ICUF) has launched a new Emergency Relief Fund to assist Iowans in need during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused a major disruption to the state’s economy, the income of many Iowans, and the health of small businesses across the state.

WASHINGTON DC (March 24, 2020) — Negotiators continue to work on a third response bill to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with legislation proposed today by House Democrats and last Thursday by Senate Republicans. Both bills include important provisions to strengthen public health, aid those most affected by the crisis, support the economy, and address the current emergency.

DES MOINES, IOWA (March 24, 2020) — On March 23, Governor Kim Reynolds announced that first quarter unemployment tax payments that are due April 30 will be delayed till the end of the second quarter, July 31, 2020. Eligible employers include those employers with 50 or fewer employees. Eligible employers also must be in good standing with no delinquencies in quarterly payments. 

WASHINGTON DC (March 22, 2020) — Policymakers are currently drafting legislation to mitigate the economic damage caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. An effective response should be enacted quickly and will likely widen budget deficits dramatically. The must-pass nature of this agreement should not be used as an excuse for politicians to incorporate tax or spending provisions that are unrelated to the virus response.

DES MOINES, IOWA (March 20, 2020) — The Iowa Restaurant Association has been working with the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Department of Revenue. Because of pressing deadlines, they have given us permission to share the following information with members of Iowa’s hospitality industry. 

They are creating a financial relief grant program for hospitality operators. The plan is to have the application online on Monday.

DES MOINES, IOWA (March 19, 2020) — Iowa credit unions, which have long been a safety net for Iowans in times of need, have activated to help members navigate the COVID-19 pandemic.

WASHINGTON DC (March 19, 2020) — Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced a partnership between the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Department of Labor (DOL) to help facilitate the identification of foreign and domestic workers that may be available and eligible to transfer to other US agricultural sector employers to fulfill critical workforce needs within the US under existing regulatory authority during the COVID-19 pandemic.

DES MOINES, IOWA (March 19, 2020) — The Iowa Department of Revenue today extended one income tax withholding deposit due date for certain tax-payers. The change, prompted by COVID-19, is designed to provide flexibility to disrupted businesses. The extension is a result of an order signed earlier today by Director of Revenue Kraig Paulsen.

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