In this episode of Simply Business, Barron Guss talks with Lori Rego, the Director of Benefit Services at ALTRES, to unpack what the COBRA premium subsidy means for individuals and employers in Hawaii. Listen to the podcast here: https://www.simplicityhr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Simply-Business-COBRA-Podcast.mp3 What is COBRA? The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, was passed in 1985 and requires certain employers to offer employees and their family members who lost health insurance a temporary extension of coverage. Individuals who choose continued coverage through COBRA are responsible for paying up to the full cost of the premium plus a two percent administration fee. How did COBRA benefits change due to COVID relief legislation? After the CARES Act passed in 2020, suspended certain COBRA-related deadlines, such as the deadline to elect and the deadline to make payment.  The relief continues until 60 days after…

 In this episode of Simply Business, “Navigating the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF)” we get behind the scenes with Barron Guss, Mark Spain of the SBA, and Thomas Jones of Gyotaku HI to unpack the application process and what this funding opportunity will mean for Hawaii restaurants. Listen to the podcast here: https://www.simplicityhr.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Simply-Business-RRF-Podcast.mp3 What is the Restaurant Revitalization Fund? Passed as part of the American Rescue Plan, the RRF provides restaurants, bars, caterers, and other foods service establishments funds to compensate for revenue lost during the pandemic. The program covers a broad spectrum of the food industry and was designed with a streamlined application process. For instance, applicants are not required to register with SAM.gov. “This program is really designed to reach down to the really basic food delivery needs of the islands,” Spain says. Who is eligible? A wide…