JIC RELEASE NO. 47 - Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program; GHC Information - GHS OCD

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program
The Government of Guam, along with the Guam Department of Labor (GDOL), is currently working with the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) to create the guidelines and application process for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program.

Authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the program will provide weekly benefit payments to workers who traditionally would not qualify for unemployment benefits, and who are unable to work as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency. This includes those who are self-employed, independent contractors, workers with limited work experience, and those living in areas without an unemployment benefits program, such as Guam.

Information on the CARES Act, the Guam Economic Development Authority provided the CARES Act Selected Programs Presentation, which can be found on their website under Economic Relief Initiatives, http://www.investguam.com/coronavirus/.

The weekly benefits will be available for up to 39 weeks, between January 27, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The exact amount will be calculated in the same manner as the federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program under the Stafford Act, which is the model for the PUA program.

PUA will have a minimum benefit that is equal to one-half of the state’s average weekly Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefit. Because Guam doesn't currently have a UI program, the amount will be determined by USDOL. It will then be issued through an Unemployment Insurance Program Letter (UIPL). The GDOL expects to receive this letter shortly.

The process for applying also is currently being created by both the USDOL and GDOL. Mandatory quarantine procedures are also taken into consideration to ensure the safety of everyone and to create the best possible option.

Currently, GDOL is collecting information that will be used to estimate how much assistance Guam will need from the federal government, and help maximize the funds Guam can request for PUA and other future funding opportunities.

Interested applicants can email their information to rapidresponse@dol.guam.gov. Please follow these instructions when sending information:

For individual employees:

● Name of employer that issued furlough or layoff

For business owners or managers:

● Employer name and location

● Number of employees laid off or are anticipated to be laid off

● Anticipated date and length of layoffs (e.g. 1 to 2 weeks, 3 to 4 weeks, or unknown at this time)

● Number of employees with reduced work hours or anticipated number of employees with reduced work hours

● When hours were reduced or anticipated date to implement reduced hours

● Specifics on reduced work week imposed (e.g. reduce to 32 hours per week, 20 hours per week, 10 hours per week, or unknown at this time)

● Duration of reduced hours (e.g. 1 to 2 weeks, 3 to 4 weeks, or unknown at this time)

Guam Housing Corporation Updates
The Guam Housing Corporation (GHC) will remain closed through April 13, 2020. Pursuant to Executive Order No. 2020-07, relative to establishing a moratorium on evictions, and in accordance with Administrative Order ADM20-210 issued by the Supreme Court of Guam, the GHC will not be evicting rental tenants nor foreclosing on mortgage holders whose employment situation was impacted by the current COVID-19 health crisis, nor will they be assessing late fees for the duration of this public health emergency.

All tenants and loan holders are encouraged to continue to make their payments and keep their obligation current. Although GHC offices are currently closed, payments can be mailed to P.O. Box 3457, Hagatna, Guam 96932. If any GHC clients experience a change in employment as a result of the COVID-19 health crisis, they can email alice.taijeron@ghc.guam.gov with any inquiries.

Pursuant to item 2b of EO 2020-07, GHC will require supporting documents for any request for deferment of mortgage or rental payments as a result of COVID-19. Supporting documents could include furlough notices, a letter from the employer indicating reduction in hours, lay-off notices, etc., indicating the change of employment status was due to the COVID-19 crisis. Every individual has a different financial situation so the GHC team will work with their clients to determine the best course of action.

Presidential Disaster Declaration
On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, Governor Leon Guerrero submitted a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Guam in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The request was based on the direct, detrimental economic impact of the COVID-19 events beginning February 2020 to present. On March 27, 2020, President Trump approved the request for Public Assistance, Category B, Emergency Protective Measures, which is assistance for local government of Guam agencies and certain private non-profit organizations. The requests for Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation are still under review and have not been awarded at this time.

For inquiries on COVID-19, local numbers can call 311 or contact the Joint Information Center at (671) 478-0208/09/10 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

X Flooding is a temporary overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. There are many possible causes of floods including heavy rain, coastal storms and storm surge, waterway overflow from being blocked with debris, or overflow of levees, dams, or waste water systems. Flooding can occur slowly over many days or happen very quickly with little or no warning, called flash floods.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/floods

Wildfire

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.

Fire Weather

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Drought

Conserve water

Take shorter showers.

Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
Run the washer less frequently and only when you have a full load.
Water your lawn less frequently and do so when the temperature is cooler in the early morning or late evening.
When you run the tap to heat or cool water, keep a pitcher to store the water and use it to water plants.
Avoid washing your car.

Practice fire prevention

Don't set off fireworks when conditions are dry.
Deposit cigarette butts in the proper receptacle to avoid starting a
Pour water over camp fires and backyard fire pits to ensure they are completely out before leaving them unattended.

Follow directions from local officials. If there are restrictions on water usage, be sure to heed them.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/wildfires and https://www.ready.gov/drought

X
Typhoons/Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from typhoons/hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, and rip currents.

“Hurricanes” form in the Atlantic Northeast Pacific region and “Typhoons” form in the Northwest Pacific Region. These large storms are call cyclones in other parts of the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.

JIC RELEASE NO. 47 - Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program; GHC Information