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We know that this is a difficult time for our employees, and we want to do everything possible to support you during this crisis.  Conner has been forced to make some very difficult decisions for the well-being of our employees, customers, and company.  We believe that these are decisions that will allow Conner and our employees to come back stronger than ever when this crisis is over.  We sincerely hope that you find this information helpful.

We want to make sure that you have the latest information about receiving your Coronavirus stimulus check.  Payments are set to begin in the next three weeks and will be distributed automatically with no action required for most people.  You can find the latest details about the stimulus checks at:  https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know

Who is eligible to receive a stimulus check?

Tax filers with an adjusted gross income (AGI) up to $75,000 for individuals, $112,500 for heads of household and up to $150,000 for married couples filing joint returns will receive $1,200 per individual, plus $500 per qualifying child. For filers with income above those amounts, the payment amount is reduced by $5 for each $100 above the $75,000/$112,500/$150,000 thresholds. Single filers with income exceeding $99,000 and $198,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible. A Social Security number is required to receive a stimulus check. If you’ve been claimed as a dependent on someone else’s 2019 tax return, you aren’t eligible to receive a stimulus payment.

Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or 2018 will automatically receive an economic impact payment of up to $1,200 for individuals or $2,400 for married couples and up to $500 for each qualifying child.  You can calculate the amount of your stimulus check here.

What do I need to do to get my stimulus check?

The IRS will calculate and automatically send the economic impact payment to those eligible, with no action required for most people. For people who have already filed their 2019 tax returns, the IRS will use this information to calculate and distribute the payment amount. For those who have not yet filed their return for 2019, the IRS will use information from their 2018 tax filing to calculate and distribute the payment.

If you qualify for a stimulus payment and are not required to file a tax return, and do not receive Social Security income, you can e-file your IRS registration for free with companies like TurboTax to receive your stimulus payment.  You can also complete the form here:  https://www.freefilefillableforms.com/#/fd/EconomicImpactPayment

How will the IRS know where to send my payment?

The vast majority of people do not need to take any action. The IRS will automatically calculate and send the economic impact payment to those eligible in the form of a direct deposit.

For people who have already filed their 2019 tax returns, the IRS will use this information to calculate the payment amount. If you haven’t filed for 2019 yet, the IRS will use information from your 2018 tax filing to calculate the payment. The stimulus payment will be deposited directly into the same banking account reflected on the return filed.

The IRS does not have my direct deposit information. What can I do?

It’s our understanding that there will be a web-based portal for individuals to provide their banking information to the IRS online in the coming weeks.  It’s also our understanding that if the IRS doesn’t get your banking information, they will send you a check in the mail.

I am not typically required to file a tax return. Can I still receive my payment?

If you qualify for a stimulus payment and are not required to file a tax return, and do not receive Social Security income, you can e-file your IRS registration for free with companies like TurboTax or use this form to receive your stimulus payment.

I need to file a tax return. How long are the economic impact payments available?

These economic impact payments will be available throughout the rest of 2020.

In states where it is available, Conner has applied to participate in Shared Work Programs (also called Short-Time Compensation Plans).  In essence, this means that we will be submitting a weekly file that will report the number of hours each of you has worked.  Hourly employees will have their reduced hours worked reported, and salaried employees that received a salary reduction will have that percentage of reduction applied to the normal 40 hour work week.  In either case, these reports will be sent to the states that have approved our application.

Participating in these types of programs at the state level means that the unemployment program will offset a portion of your hour or salary reduction.  It is our understanding that if you collect at least $1 in unemployment benefits, then you will be eligible for the additional $600 per week under the CARES Act.  Shared work programs have been made available as an alternative to layoffs to help employers and employees to withstand a slowdown in business.

We are continuing to apply to all the states (where we have employees) that offer these types of programs.  Each state has their own rules and we will update here as we get approved for the state programs.

Kansas

Conner has been approved to participate in the Shared Work Plan in Kansas.  Here are the employee conditions for participating in the program:

• An individual must accept all work offered by the participating employer for the claim period filed.
•  An individual is able to work and is available for full-time work with the participating employer.
• An individual is eligible for regular unemployment benefits in the state of Kansas.
• No benefits are paid to an individual who works for the participating employer more than the reduced hours specified in the plan.
• No benefits are paid to an individual whose work hours are reduced as a result of seasonal lack of work.
• If a participating employee is working for another employer, other than the Shared Work employer, and their combined hours of work for both employers are equal to or greater than the usual hours of work with you, they will not be eligible for Shared Work benefits.

Nebraska

Conner has been approved to participate in the Short Time Compensation (STC) Program in Kansas.  Here are the employee conditions for participating in the program:

• Must be available for all your usual hours of work with your STC employer, and are not required to look for other work.
• Your employer submits a weekly claim for benefits, reporting the number of hours of work offered, hours worked + any approved leave for the prior week.  Employees do not need to file weekly claims.
• Your benefits will be paid based on a percentage equal to the percentage by which your hours have been reduced.

Texas

Conner has been approved to participate in the Shared Work Plan in Texas.  Each employee should to the the Unemployment Benefit Services page below to file their reduced hours claim if they wish to participate in the plan.  Your claim will not be effective until Conner Industries files the weekly reduced hours report, effective on April 5, 2020.

https://apps.twc.state.tx.us/UBS/security/logon.do

The Texas Shared Work Program allows employers to supplement their employees’ wages lost because of reduced work hours with partial unemployment benefits. Under the program employers can reduce normal weekly work hours for employees in an affected unit by at least 10 percent but not more than 40 percent. Shared Work unemployment benefits are payable to employees who qualify for and participate in an approved Shared Work Plan. Workers may choose not to participate. Employees who qualify will receive both wages and Shared Work unemployment benefits.

Florida – Application Pending

What is a furlough?

A furlough is a mandatory time off from work with no pay.  They are generally implemented by employers during tough economic times where there isn’t enough work to pay employees.  Here at Conner, we’ve seen a decline in customer orders at some of our plants, and that means that we’ve had to furlough some people until our business picks back up.  It is temporary.

Is this a termination?

A furlough is NOT a termination.  We want furloughed employees to come back to work as soon as business rebounds and it’s safe to bring them back in.  Furloughed employees can also file for unemployment benefits to make up for the lost income while they are on furlough.

Will I lose my Conner benefits while on furlough?

Your Conner benefits will remain in place while on furlough.  The company will cover the cost of the employee’s share of your medical coverage.  Your other benefit deductions (non-medical) will be caught up when you return to work.

Will I lose my  PTO while on furlough?

While on furlough, your PTO will continue to accrue, but it’s not available for payout while you’re furloughed.

What payments or benefits may I be entitled to receive?

In an effort to ease things for you during this difficult time, the company will provide you with the following:

• Payment for hours worked, or PTO time taken prior to the effective date of the furlough. Payment will be made on the regularly scheduled pay date, via direct deposit.
• Any company benefits that you are currently enrolled in, will continue. The Company will cover the employee deduction for your medical.  Any other benefits will also continue, but deductions will be caught up through payroll upon your return. Depending on the length of the furlough, and the dollar amount of the arrears, those catchup deductions may be spread over the first month of returned employment.

How will I know when I can come back to work?

You must provide complete contact information on your furlough letter.  Once we’re ready for you to come back to work, we’ll contact you using the information you provide.

I have a garnishment or child support, what about that?

Conner Industries will not continue to submit payments to any garnishing entities while the furlough is in place. You will be responsible for directly making payments, during your furlough. We will notify the garnishing entities that you are not currently working.

What do I do now?

Employees should contact your state unemployment office. You may contact them by telephone, or internet. File a claim, stating that you have had your hours reduced. Your claim will not be denied.

What if I choose not to come back to work?

Employees that do not return to work as agreed, will be considered a voluntary quit and forfeit any payout of their unused PTO balance. Unemployment benefits will then cease, as your employment will change from an active furloughed employee, to an employee that voluntarily decided to end their employment with the Company, when there was work available for them to do.

The federal government is allowing new options for states to amend their laws to provide unemployment insurance benefits related to COVID-19. For example, federal law allows states to pay benefits where:

• An employer temporarily ceases operations due to COVID-19, preventing employees from coming to work
• An individual is quarantined with the expectation of returning to work after the quarantine is over
• An individual leaves employment due to infection or to care for a family member

Federal law allows unemployment benefits for those who have had their hours reduced, but are still working, at a proportionate amount of the weekly benefit.  The waiting period should be waived as well.  Below is some information on the weekly benefit that each state pays out, and the duration of the benefit. While this doesn’t illustrate exactly what you might receive, it does give you an idea of the range.

General Information about the Unemployment Insurance Program:
http://www.labor.alabama.gov/uc/

To file a UI claim online:
https://labor.alabama.gov/uc/ICCS/

To file a claim by telephone number:
https://labor.alabama.gov/uc/phone.aspx

To check the status or get information on your claim:
https://labor.alabama.gov/uc/ICCS/PG000_Revised_LoginUser.aspx

General Information about the Unemployment Insurance Program:
http://www.floridajobs.org/job-seekers-community-services

To file a UI claim online:
https://connect.myflorida.com/Claimant/Core/Login.ASPX

To file a claim by telephone number:
1-800-204-2418

General Information about the Unemployment Insurance Program:
https://dol.georgia.gov/unemployment-benefits

To file a UI claim online:
https://www.dol.state.ga.us/WS4-MW5/cics.jsp?TRANSID=UCI1&FRMNAME=UCI1S

To file a claim by telephone number:
404-232-3180

General Information about the Unemployment Insurance Program:
https://www.getkansasbenefits.gov/Home.aspx

To file a UI claim online:
https://www.getkansasbenefits.gov/Home.aspx

To file a claim by telephone number:
https://www.getkansasbenefits.gov/Home.aspx

To check the status or get information on your claim:
http://www.getkansasbenefits.gov/

Coronavirus update: Kansas is providing updates on Unemployment Insurance changes related to COVID-19 here:
https://www.dol.ks.gov/covid19response

General Information about the Unemployment Insurance Program:
https://dol.nebraska.gov/UIBenefits

To file a UI claim online:
https://neworks.nebraska.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx

To file a claim by telephone number:
https://uibenefits.nwd.ne.gov/BPSWeb/jsp/BPSTelephone.jsp

To check the status or get information on your claim:
https://uibenefits.nwd.ne.gov/BPSWeb/jsp/BPSClaimantLogin.jsp

Coronavirus update: Nebraska is providing updates on Unemployment Insurance changes related to COVID-19 here:
http://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Coronavirus.aspx

General Information about the Unemployment Insurance Program:
https://www.ok.gov/oesc/Claimants/

To file a UI claim online:
https://unemployment.state.ok.us/W2.aspx

To file a claim by telephone number:
https://unemployment.state.ok.us/

General Information about the Unemployment Insurance Program:
https://dew.sc.gov/individuals/apply-for-benefits/claims-process

To file a UI claim online:
https://dew.sc.gov/individuals/apply-for-benefits/claims-process

To file a claim by telephone number:
To File an Out of State claim by phone, residents should call the Interstate Unit at 1-800-529-8339.

To check the status or get information on your claim:
https://dew.sc.gov/individuals/manage-your-benefits/payment-status

Coronavirus update: South Carolina is providing updates on Unemployment Insurance changes related to COVID-19 here:
https://dew.sc.gov/docs/default-source/default-document-library/coronavirus-and-unemployement-benefits.pdf

General Information about the Unemployment Insurance Program:
https://www.tn.gov/workforce/unemployment.html

To file a UI claim online:
https://www.tn.gov/workforce/unemployment.html

To file a claim by telephone number:
Telephone Support for Unemployment Insurance Filing: 844-224-5818

Coronavirus update: Tennessee is providing updates on Unemployment Insurance changes related to COVID-19 here:
https://www.tn.gov/workforce/general-resources/news/2020/3/11/information-about-tn-ui-benefits-and-coronavirus.html

They are currently asking that Texans to use their area code to find their proposed call and website access times.  Texans will not be penalized for a delay due to call or user volume, and claims for individuals affected by COVID-19 are eligible to be backdated.  Get your call or access time here: https://www.twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services#staggeredAccessTimes

General Information about the Unemployment Insurance Program:
http://www.twc.state.tx.us/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits

To file a UI claim online:
http://www.twc.state.tx.us/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services

To file a claim by telephone number:
http://www.twc.state.tx.us/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-contact-information-claimants#teleCenterPhoneNumberAndHours

Coronavirus update: Texas is providing updates on Unemployment Insurance changes related to COVID-19 here:
https://twc.texas.gov/news/unemployment-news

General Information about the Unemployment Insurance Program:
http://www.vec.virginia.gov/unemployed

To file a UI claim online:
http://www.vec.virginia.gov/unemployed/online-services/apply-for-unemployment-benefits

To file a claim by telephone number:
1-866-832-2363

Coronavirus update: Virginia is providing updates on Unemployment Insurance changes related to COVID-19 here:
http://www.vec.virginia.gov/qa-coronavirus