April 3, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought swift and massive changes to our landscape in just the past few weeks, yielding continuous updates from our federal, state and local governments. In this issue of your monthly policy brief, we’re sharing a compilation of the latest resources for REALTORS® to help you navigate through how these new laws and policies affect you and your business.
Update on Maryland unemployment insurance benefits under the CARES Act

The federal government recently passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), which includes an expansion of unemployment insurance benefits. Marylanders will be offered Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).

Maryland’s IT system is not yet set up to process these expanded benefits; however, if you plan to file for PUA benefits, you can sign up on the Department of Labor’s website to receive an email letting you know when you can file. For FPUC and PEUC, your benefits will be automatically updated if you qualify, are currently receiving benefits and once DLR’s technical systems are modified.

 
Guidance is yet to come regarding how the District of Columbia will implement unemployment assistance under the CARES Act.
NAR provisions for REALTORS® and their consumers

This comprehensive guide is aimed at helping REALTORS®, homeowners and renters understand the provisions of the CARES Act on helping navigate through the pandemic’s effects.

Maryland REALTORS® chart: Federal and state COVID-19 assistance programs 

These charts provide real estate agents and brokers with details on available programs and assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.  
OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19

This guide is to help employers and workers identify risk levels in their workplace and determine appropriate measures to implement to protect against COVID-19.
District of Columbia-specific resources