NEW EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY I-9 FORM REQUIRED BY NOVEMBER 1ST

All employers in the United States are required by federal law to fill out an I-9 Form on newly hired employees to verify that the employee is legally eligible to work in the United States. 

The employee must attest to their employment eligibility by completing Section 1 of the form no later than their first day of work. 

Within three days of the employee’s start date, the employee must show the employer specific documents that prove the employee’s identity and employment authorization. For example, the employee can show the employer their US Passport or their driver’s license and a social security card. The list of acceptable documents is found on page 2 of the I-9 Form.

After viewing the employee’s documents, the employer must fill out Section 2 of the form. Employers do not file I-9 Forms with the government, but they must keep them on file and make them available if asked to do so by a government official. Completed forms should be retained for current employees as long as they remain employed. Forms for employees who leave should be kept for a year after the employee’s last day of work. 

A new version of the I-9 Form has just been released with a revision date of 8/1/23. The new form is now only one page instead of two, and there are fewer fields. The new version of the form can be filled out on mobile phones and computers instead of by hand. 

Employers can keep using the current version of the I-9 Form dated 10/19/2019 through the end of October or can begin using the new version immediately. The new version of the form must be used for all new hires beginning November 1, 2023. 

If you have an older version of the I-9 Form for your current employees, you do not need to fill out a new form on them. The new version of the form is for newly hired employees. 

The Spanish version of the I-9 Form has also been updated with a revision date of 8/1/23. However, the Spanish version of the form can only be used by employers located in Puerto Rico. It cannot be used by employers in Florida. If a Spanish-speaking employee uses someone to help him or her fill out the employee’s part of the form, the translator will then need to fill out Supplement A, Preparer and/or Translator Certification for Section 1. 

The new form and its instructions are available from the US Department of Homeland Security’s website. Because the form can be difficult to understand, it is recommended that you read the form’s instructions. 

Special note to employers with 25 or more employees:  You have an extra requirement in addition to completing an I-9 Form for new employees. Starting July 1, 2023, the State of Florida requires employers with 25 or more employees to run new employees through the E-verify system within three business days of their hire date to make sure they can legally work in the United States.

INSURANCE POLICIES PROTECTED FROM CANCELLATION

Due to Hurricane Idalia, insurance companies are not allowed to cancel insurance policies from 8/22/23 through 11/1/23 in the following counties:  Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Pasco, Pinellas, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, and Wakulla.

Insurance policies in these 25 counties must remain active, even if the policyholder is not current on premium payments, unless the insured requests cancellation of the policy. The protection applies to most types of insurance like workers’ comp, general liability, health insurance, property insurance, and auto insurance. Policyholders have until 11/1/23 to make any past due and current premium payments before cancellations resume.

LOANS AVAILABLE FOR BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY HURRICANE IDALIA

Insurance policies in these 25 counties must remain active, even if the policyholder is not current on premium payments, unless the insured requests cancellation of the policy. The protection applies to most types of insurance like workers’ comp, general liability, health insurance, property insurance, and auto insurance. Policyholders have until 11/1/23 to make any past due and current premium payments before cancellations resume.

  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are for businesses in a declared disaster area that have suffered substantial economic injury and are unable to pay ordinary and necessary operating expenses. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on the applicant’s financial condition.
     
  • Physical Disaster Loans help businesses located in a declared disaster area replace or restore damaged business property including inventory, supplies, machinery, and equipment.

Businesses may qualify for both types of loans. The maximum combined loan amount is $2 million.

Businesses in the following counties can apply for both types of SBA loans:  Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, and Taylor.

Businesses in the following counties can apply for an EIDL loan only:  Alachua, Baker, Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Hillsborough, Leon, Marion, Polk, Sumter, Union, and Wakulla. 

Businesses can apply for these loans using the SBA’s secure website. You can also call the SBA at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information.

FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS EMERGENCY BRIDGE LOAN PROGRAM

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program provides short-term, no-interest loans of up to $50,000 to Florida businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to Hurricane Idalia. These loans are intended to bridge the gap until the business receives longer-term recovery funding, such as insurance proceeds or the federal loans described above.

The deadline to apply for an Emergency Bridge Loan is October 25, 2023. Visit the Florida Commerce website to learn more, view the lending guidelines and required documentation, and to file an application.