Coronavirus: Tips and Help for Individuals

The coronavirus pandemic is affecting everyone; we hope these resources and this information will be relevant and helpful to you and your family.

Reopening Connecticut

• Phase 3 Reopen - October 8 (hair salons, barber shops and libraries will also be allowed 75% capacity, up from 50% currently; places of worship will be allowed up to 50% capacity indoors capped at 200 people, up from 25% capped at 100 people; maximum capacity at outdoor event venues such as racetracks and amphitheaters will increase from 25% to 50%; private outdoor gatherings will now be capped at 150 attendees, up from 100)
• Governor Lamont has issued an executive order addressing the rebuttable presumption regarding workers’ compensation benefits related to contraction of Covid-19. 
• Governor Lamont's Roadmap for Reopening Connecticut
• Phase 2 Reopen - June 17 (affects amusement parks; hotels/lodging; restaurants; museums, zoos, and aquariums; indoor recreation including movie theaters and bowling alleys; libraries; outdoor events; personal services including nail salons and tattoo parlors, sports and fitness facilities including gyms, fitness centers, and pools)
• Phase 1 Reopen - May 20 (affects outdoor dining, offices, retail and malls, museums and zoos, and outdoor recreation businesses)
• All businesses subject to these guidelines are required to self-certify they are following strict safety standards to keep employees and customers safe prior to opening. The certification system can be accessed here. The certification system can be accessed on the state website.

Maintaining Your CPA and CPA Exam 

• CPE Deadline Extended to December 31, 2020 - In March, CTCPA reached out to the State Board of Accountancy to request an extension of the CPE credit deadline; we surveyed our members to determine whether Connecticut CPAs wanted additional time to earn their 40 hours of CPE, and if yes, how much additional time. We shared the information with the State Board of Accountancy, and they voted to extend the CPE deadline until December 31, 2020. Accordingly, CTCPA Professional Development Director Lisa Bugryn is reworking the education schedule to ensure that members have a selection of classes throughout the remaining calendar year that will address time and learning demands.
• Prometric Testing Sites Reopened June 1 - Prometric resumed all testing for June 1; you can learn more about the restrictions and policies here.
• CPA Exam Testing Window Extended for Candidates - Prometric resumed testing for the CPA Examination on May 1, 2020. Per the federal government, the CPA profession falls under “essential services.” NASBA had recommended State Boards of Accountancy extend NTS expiring between April 1 to June 30, 2020 with a blanket extension until September 30, 2020. The Connecticut State Board of Accountancy agreed with that proposal and approved that extension. They did word the vote in a manner to permit that extension to automatically get pushed back further, should NASBA modify its recommendation at a later date.
• CPA Exam Credit Extension - All Connecticut Exam candidates with credit expiring April 1, 2020 - December 30, 2020 will be extended until December 31, 2020. 
• NASBA Invokes Emergency Testing Period - The emergency testing period extends the 20Q2 CPA Exam testing window from June 10, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

Unemployment

If this has affected your employment and you need to file for unemployment, the Connecticut Department of Labor has extensive frequently asked questions here.

Legislation

• Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)
  • DOL Frequently Asked Questions
• Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act 
  • Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Frequently Asked Questions 
  • PPP resources for CPAs    

Relief

• Relief for Connecticut Homeowners and Renters
  • Lamont Offers Rental Assistance, Extends Eviction Moratorium Until Aug. 25
  • Mortgage Relief Program for Connecticut Residents (extended to July 30, 2020)
  • Emergency Provisions for Renters and Landlords (landlords cannot issue an eviction notice before July 1, 2020)
• Student Loans
  • Federal Loans (The CARES Act automatically suspended monthly payments and reduced interest to 0% through Sept. 30, 2020.)
  • Private Loans/Federal Loans Not Covered by the CARES Act (A new state initiative provides additional relief for Connecticut residents with student loans not covered by the CARES Act.)

Insurance​

• Frequently Asked Questions from Connecticut's Insurance Department (includes information on the special Access Health CT enrollment period, travel insurance, health insurance, car insurance premiums, and more)