Iowans filing for unemployment insurance benefits due to COVID-19 will no longer be required to use all paid leave to be eligible for benefits. The enactment of the CARES Act puts this change into effect immediately and provides additional funding for claimants. Also, the Act expands benefit programs to those who are self-employed, independent contractors, nonprofit employees, and gig economy workers.

Senator Charles Grassley says that the CARES Act will help those facing unemployment and small businesses simultaneously, “It’s going to help in rural areas in the same way it helps in big cities, from the standpoint of people that are unemployed. There’s going to be a big increase in unemployment compensation for the next four months if you’re unemployed. For small businesses like you have there in your local community, if they’re shutdown now they may have a hard time operating, they can get loans from the Small Business Administration. And if they keep their employees employed then that’ll be a forgiven loan.”

In addition, each adult will receive $1,200 and $500 for each child.