What the CARES Act Means for Churches and Church Staff

The 900-page, $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act became law on March 27, 2020. It is the third package enacted by Congress in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. It follows:

1. The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act (March 6, 2020), which provided $8.3 billion in emergency funding for federal agencies to respond to the coronavirus outbreak.
2. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (March 18, 2020), which requires certain employers, including churches, to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions, which can be fully reimbursed by the government, will apply from April 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020.

Key point. Some members of Congress are suggesting that a fourth package may be necessary.

Here is a summary ...