Bishop Leeland and Cabinet Lobby for Extended Unemployment Benefits for Church Employees

The North Carolina Department of Commerce, Department of Employment Services has received guidelines in regards to church employees filing for unemployment. Typically, because churches are exempt from paying both federal and state unemployment insurance, employees, both clergy and lay, are NOT entitled to unemployment benefits.  Bishop Leeland and the cabinet have lobbied Governor Roy Cooper and others in the state to open the channels during this historic pandemic.  The CARES Act does allow for church employees to potentially qualify for the expanded unemployment benefits.  In order to qualify, the Acts does require organizations receiving receive Paycheck Protection Program loans CANNOT lay off or furlough employees.
 
Here is the link that indicates the system should be ready by April 25 to start receiving application from church employees.
 
https://des.nc.gov/need-help/covid-19-information/federal-unemployment-assistance#are-church-employees-eligible-for-federal-unemployment-assistance?