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JUST A FEW DAYS AGO, ANNE STAPLES NEVER WOULD HAVE EXPECTED TO BE IN THE PREDICAMENT SHE HAS FOUND HERSELF IN TODAY. LIKE MANY GRANITE STATERS CAUGHT UP IN THE EFFECTS OF COVID-19, SHE’S OUT OF WORK AND HER KIDS ARE OUT OF SCHOOL. >> IT’S SCARY. IT’S -- I MEAN, I HAVE THREE KIDS AT HOME. IT’S -- IT’S A LITTLE NERVE-RACKING. TIM: STAPLES SAYS HER JOB TOLD HER SHE WOULD NOT BE FIRED FOR MISSING WORK DURING THIS TIME, BUT THEY ALSO SAID SHE WOULD NOT BE PAID. >> THE BIGGEST WORRIES ARE JUST MONEY-WISE. TIM: AND SHE’S NOT ALONE. GOVERNOR SUNUNU HAS EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS TO ANYONE LOSING INCOME FROM A CLOSURE OR CUTBACK OF HOURS. THAT INCLUDES LOSING PAY BY STAYING HOME FOR CHILDCARE DUE TO SCHOOL CLOSURES, A MOVE STAPLES SAYS SHE’S THANKFUL FOR. >> I’M REALLY GLAD, BECAUSE IF NOT I THINK THE WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES WOULD HAVE A REALLY BAD TIME. TIM: BUT WHEN SHE TRIED TO FILE FOR THOSE BENEFITS, STAPLES SAYS SHE RAN INTO ROADBLOCKS. >> THE SERVER IS BOGGED DOWN. THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE TRYING TO DO IT AT ONCE. EVERYONE IS TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING NOW BECAUSE THEY DON’T WANT TO BE WITHOUT A CHECK. TIM: AN ISSUE THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER FOR UNEMPLOYMENT SAID ON NEWS 9 AT 5:00 IT IS ADDRESSING. >> IT IS REALLY A BAND WITH ISSUE THAT WAS RESOLVED IMMEDIATELY. AND AS I CHECKED THROUGHOUT THE DAY, AS I WAS TESTING THE SYSTEM MYSELF, I WAS ABLE TO GET ONTO THE WEBSITE, GET ON THE CLAIM APPLICATION. TIM: SO IF YOU FIND YOU HAVE SOME ISSUES, YOU CAN CALL THE STATE’S HOTLINE FOR HELP. THAT NUMBER IS RUNNING AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN, 2

Advertisement New emergency orders ban utility disconnections, evictions; unemployment extended State offers protections to those who lose income during COVID-19 outbreak Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Gov. Chris Sununu announced Tuesday new emergency orders intended to help people who are struggling financially during work slowdowns.>> Download the FREE WMUR appEffective immediately, utilities in the state are prohibited from disconnecting any homes or businesses throughout the duration of the emergency. The order applies to electricity, gas, any other fuels, phones, internet, cable and water.>> COVID-19 coronavirus in New Hampshire: What you need to knowEvictions and foreclosures are temporarily prohibited. Immediate unemployment benefits are also being extended.>> Latest coronavirus coverage from WMURAnyone in the following situations will now be eligible for state unemployment: If your employer temporarily closes due to COVID-19;Individuals that need to self-quarantine or are directed to quarantine at the instruction of a health care provider, employer or government official;Individuals that need to care for a family member that has COVID-19 or is under quarantine;Individuals that need to care for a dependent because of school closures, child care facility closures or other similar types of care programs;Self-employed individuals that are temporarily unable to operate their business because of any of the above listed situations will also be eligible.>> WATCH: Part 1 and Part 2 <-- Deputy NH employment security commissioner answers your questions"We are confident that by the governor taking these actions in order to provide replacement income through the unemployment system, that this will help to facilitate effective quarantining for those who feel they are unable to quarantine for fear of a loss of income," said Richard Lavers, deputy commissioner of Unemployment Security.>> How to get help: Visit www.nhes.nh.gov or call 603-271-7700State officials said the unemployment trust fund can handle the demand. The state will file for federal financial assistance."When Granite Staters come together, we truly set an example for the rest of the country," Sununu said. "These actions will help provide the necessary relief for individuals and businesses that are being affected by COVID-19."Just a few days ago, Anne Staples never would have expected to be in the predicament she has found herself in on Tuesday. Like many Granite Staters caught up in the effects of the spread of COVID-19, she's out of work and her kids are out of school. "It's scary. I mean, I have three kids at home. It's a little nerve-wracking,” Staples said.Staples said her employer told her she would not be fired for missing work during this time, but they also said she would not be paid. "Biggest worries, I guess, are just money-wise," Staples said.Staples said she was thankful for the expansion of unemployment benefits."I'm really glad because if not, I think the working class families would have a really bad time," Staples said.Shortly after the new unemployment rules were announced, many people, including Staples, reported having problems accessing the website. State officials urged them to keep trying as they tried to address the issues. They said the phone lines were up and running."It was really a bandwidth issue that was resolved immediately. As I checked throughout the day, as I was testing the system myself, I was able to get on the application," Lavers said.PGRpdiBjbGFzcz0iaW5mb2dyYW0tZW1iZWQiIGRhdGEtaWQ9Il8va2I1OW5tSmpubGlPTUt4M1lpd1YiIGRhdGEtdHlwZT0iaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUiIGRhdGEtdGl0bGU9Ik5IIENvcm9uYXZpcnVzIENPVklELTE5Ij48L2Rpdj48c2NyaXB0PiFmdW5jdGlvbihlLGksbixzKXt2YXIgdD0iSW5mb2dyYW1FbWJlZHMiLGQ9ZS5nZXRFbGVtZW50c0J5VGFnTmFtZSgic2NyaXB0IilbMF07aWYod2luZG93W3RdJiZ3aW5kb3dbdF0uaW5pdGlhbGl6ZWQpd2luZG93W3RdLnByb2Nlc3MmJndpbmRvd1t0XS5wcm9jZXNzKCk7ZWxzZSBpZighZS5nZXRFbGVtZW50QnlJZChuKSl7dmFyIG89ZS5jcmVhdGVFbGVtZW50KCJzY3JpcHQiKTtvLmFzeW5jPTEsby5pZD1uLG8uc3JjPSJodHRwczovL2UuaW5mb2dyYW0uY29tL2pzL2Rpc3QvZW1iZWQtbG9hZGVyLW1pbi5qcyIsZC5wYXJlbnROb2RlLmluc2VydEJlZm9yZShvLGQpfX0oZG9jdW1lbnQsMCwiaW5mb2dyYW0tYXN5bmMiKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=According to officials, a request was officially submitted to the administrator of the United States Small Business Administration to provide SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans to small businesses across New Hampshire.>> DHHS information: Coronavirus in New HampshireIndividuals will need to file for each week of temporary unemployment. This can be done online at www.nhes.nh.gov or by phone at 603-271-7700.