COVID-19 UPDATES

4-20-2020 Cares Act Guidance for Small Businesses


4-16-2020 Amid COVID-19, VA Benefits Change Will Harm Wisconsin Veterans - Donald J. Lynch, State Commander


4-7-2020 Update to travel ban for essential/non-essential travel.


4-3-2020 Important Notice from Donald Lynch, VFW State Commander, Department of Wisconsin


4-1-20 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act -
Overview of some of the relief granted to small businesses

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans

This may be the section of the relief that could benefit the VFW and Auxiliaries the most. This is a program that can provide a 100% federally guaranteed loan to businesses with less than 500 employees. The loan amount is based on average payroll costs and the loan proceeds can be used for payroll costs, utilities, rent, mortgage insurance, and other debt obligations incurred before February 15, 2020. Eligibility rules for nonprofits taking advantage of this program are limited to 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) organizations. Those organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(4) or another category of the Internal Revenue Code are not eligible. However, it would also cover our members that operate a sole proprietorship or as an independent contractor, and eligible self-employed individuals. The great benefit of this program is the forgiveness feature. If employers maintain their payroll, the loans would be forgiven, and ultimately become a grant to the applying organization. The attached guidance provides more detail on how the loan program works. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is expected to release more details soon on this program.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) & Emergency Economic Injury Grants

This program provides an emergency advance of up to $10,000 to small business and most non-profits harmed by COVID-19. An organization must first apply for an EIDL and then request the advance. The advance does not need to be repaid under any circumstances. The maximum available under this program to an employer is $2 million. Any additional amount received above the advance amount under this program is treated as a loan, and will need to be repaid to the SBA at a low interest rate with maturity terms determined by the SBA.

Small Business Tax Provisions

For organizations subject to closure or experiencing economic hardship, this provision provides for payroll tax credits. These tax credits are not available to employers receiving assistance through the Paycheck Protection Program noted above.


4-1-2020 U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) COVID-19 Response Plan


3-24-2020 Analysis of Gov. Evers’ Emergency Order #12 "Safer at Home" Order - Prepared By: SVC Jason E. Johns


3-24-2020 Memorandum - Cease all Buddy Poppy Assembly and Distribution - Daniela Garcia


3-21-2020 COVID-19 Guidance - William "Doc” Schmitz, Commander-in-Chief


3-20-2020 VFW HQs and Service Office - COVID-19 Precautionary Measures - Donald J. Lynch, State Commander


3-17-2020 COVID-19 Precautionary Measures - Adam Wallace, VFW State Surgeon