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covid-19

Five Instagram Accounts to Follow Right Now for Good COVID-19 Info

From masks to antibody tests to positivity rates, there’s a lot to keep up with to understand the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the U.S. where the virus continues to spread rapidly. Want to stay informed, but not sure where to start? Social media is a good resource

knowledge

Immigration Is About To Get A Lot More Expensive: USCIS Dramatically Increases Fees

Immigrating to the US—or becoming a citizen—is about to come with a hefty price tag. Starting this fall, immigration services of all kinds are increasing in price in the US, from work visas to naturalization. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services agency finalized a rule at the

unemployment

Was Your Unemployment Application Denied? Here's What to Do

You can (and should) appeal your claim. In this post, we’ll break down how, and some tips and tricks for a successful appeal.

knowledge

Medicaid vs Medicare: Which Program is Right for You?

In the midst of the global health crisis, health insurance is even more important than ever. Laid-off and retiring Americans are often unable to access health insurance, even with programs like COBRA [https://helloskip.com/blog/tips-for-extending-your-health-insurance-benefits-even-if-your-work-situation-has-

covid-19

Progress on the Stimulus and Small Business Funding Continues

Here is today's update on the relief package negotiations that are currently underway. Progress has been made between the White House, Democrats, and Republicans and it looks like an agreement will be reached by Friday. Below is a video recap of this news and the letter Senators wrote

financial

Support $80 Billion in New EIDL Program Funding

Bill S.4227 would ensure that all eligible EIDL applicants would receive the full $10,000 as originally intended. In addition, the EIDL loan maximum amount would also be $2 million again, instead of the $150,000 limit. As of August 1, this bill has 6 co-sponsors from Senators

financial

Ultimate Guide to the Scathing EIDL Fraud Report

On July 28th, the SBA Inspector General released a report [https://www.sba.gov/document/report-20-16-serious-concerns-potential-fraud-eidl-program-pertaining-response-covid-19] on the "serious concerns of potential fraud" in the SBA's EIDL program. It's shocking on how

covid-19

Everything You Need to Know About How COVID-19 Could Impact Social Security

About 63 million Americans, or 1 in 6, collect social security benefits [https://www.cbpp.org/research/social-security/policy-basics-top-ten-facts-about-social-security] . Most of those beneficiaries are older Americans, but some are also disabled people. The program is a vital source of income for beneficiaries,

passports

The Ultimate Guide to Renewing Your Passport

Is your passport expiring? Like most things in a pandemic, getting a new passport right now requires some patience, but it’s still possible. Although most passport offices are closed or in early stages of reopening, they are still accepting passport applications on a first come, first served basis through

covid-19

Ultimate Guide to the New Stimulus Proposal

On Monday July 27th, Republicans unveiled their proposal for the new $1 trillion stimulus bill. The focus is on jobs, healthcare, and kids and it details funding in many critical areas. This is not the final bill — but the items in this include much of the meat that is likely

covid-19

How Are Mask Orders Being Enforced Around the U.S.?

Face coverings are no longer voluntary. After months of encouraging Americans to wear masks, cities and states all over the U.S. are finally starting to punish them if they don't. More than thirty states, and many cities, have now issued mask orders in the U.S., and

covid-19 Featured

6 Months of COVID-19 News: From 60 Cases to Over 4 Million

Early on in the global pandemic our team at Skip realized that bad news was coming toward the US. Our founder, Ryder Pearce, would visit the San Francisco Passport Office (as part of Skip's passport service [https://yogov.org/passport-renewal/?ref=SkipBlog]). The staff would remark how

financial

Good News for Small Businesses - There Will Be Another PPP Loan Opportunity

Today, Republicans released the draft outline [https://int.nyt.com/data/documenttools/republican-draft-virus-aid-bill-july-23/108442ddd33342bd/full.pdf] of the latest stimulus bill. While we heard rumors in June that there would be another opportunity for businesses to take PPP loans, we're finally getting

knowledge

50 Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs Leading the Path Forward

Introducing our inaugural list of small businesses, independent businesses, and entrepreneurs that have been working hard to adapt to our new COVID world. These are all businesses or sole proprietors that have taken measures to keep a safe and healthy environment — for their storefront, their studio, their practice, or their

covid-19

Which Airlines Are the Safest to Fly During The Pandemic?

We rate the major US airlines and what they're doing to ensure your health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic Fewer people are traveling in the US than ever before. Airlines have been heavily impacted by the pandemic; United Airlines is reporting a 90% drop in revenue,

covid-19

Unemployment Expiring? Here's How to Get an Extra 13 Weeks

With coronavirus cases all over the US surging and many cities reimposing restrictions [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa/with-us-under-coronavirus-siege-chicago-cracks-down-florida-cases-soar-idUSKCN24L24J] , the United States job crisis seems to be far from over. Each week, over a million

covid-19 Featured

Details on the next $1 trillion stimulus package are emerging

Talks resumed today in Congress on the next stimulus and relief package and important early details have emerged. Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin met with President Trump at the White House today to discuss the core inclusions in the bill, and here is the latest, including if there will be a

covid-19

Small Biz Corner: How are Small Businesses Pivoting in the Face of COVID-19?

The COVID-19 crisis is causing unprecedented economic strife across the US and beyond, leaving many small businesses at risk of permanent closure. [https://helloskip.com/blog/half-of-small-businesses-are-in-survival-mode-heres-what-you-can-do-to-help/] But entrepreneurs are not accepting defeat easily. We

knowledge

Millions More People Are Now Eligible for TSA Precheck

TSA Precheck is a gamechanger for busy travelers. The average Precheck member waits less than ten minutes in line for airport security [https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/advice/2017/11/19/tsa-precheck-lines/873940001/] , while those without wait a half an hour or more. The program saves time

financial

SBA EIDL vs SBA 7(a) Loans: What's the difference and should I apply for either loan?

Are you a small business looking for more financial assistance options as you navigate the COVID-19 pandemic? This is another post in our coverage of financial grants, loans, and assistance to help you. In particular, this post will discuss the less talked about SBA 7(a) loan option which

covid-19

States Are Reimposing Job Search Requirements: Here's What You Need to Know to Keep Your Benefits

There are now more Americans dependent on unemployment [https://helloskip.com/blog/unemployment-is-still-high-and-probably-even-higher-than-the-data-is-showing/] than there have been in years; as of this week, a staggering 31 million people are receiving UI benefits. At the start of the coronavirus

covid-19

Why 156 Economists Just Called for Recurring Stimulus Payments

With US unemployment still at record highs and layoffs and closures continuing unabated ahead of the expiring of many relief programs, calls for a second stimulus package are louder than ever. This week, a group of 156 economists signed a lette [https://www.economicsecurityproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/

covid-19

The SBA Has Ended the EIDL Advance Program

Friday July 24 UPDATE: Correct Link to the new Stimulus, EIDL, PPP news [https://helloskip.com/blog/good-news-for-small-businesses-there-will-be-another-ppp-loan-opportunity/] . _________________________ Over the weekend, the SBA issued a press release that it had ended its EIDL Advance program. According to the release

covid-19

2019 Taxes Are Finally Due this Week: Here's What You Need to Know About the Extended Deadline

After being extended for months due to COVID-19, federal taxes for 2019 are finally due this week, on July 15th. Most state taxes are also due this week. Despite the ongoing crisis, the IRS has made it clear they are not considering a further extension of the filing deadline

covid-19

Unemployment is Still High—and Probably Even Higher Than The Data Is Showing

For months, millions of Americans have been unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And the tide of unemployment claims shows no signs of slowing down; today’s numbers [https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/09/weekly-jobless-claims.html] show 1.3 million claims filed in the US last