COVID-19: The Law and Your Legal Rights During the Coronavirus Outbreak
The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is disrupting almost every part of life in the U.S. (and around the globe). In addition to fears for your health and loved ones, you may have critical questions about your rights to paid sick leave, medical leave, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, or disability benefits. Below you will find legal updates and information on emergency orders, government policies, and laws that have been enacted in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
For available self-help forms, see COVID-19 Self-Help Legal Forms in Nolo's store.
If you are already in communication with a lawyer, or are wondering how to contact one during this time, see our article on safely communicating with a lawyer during the stay-in orders.
- For Employees
- For Employers
- Business and Taxes
- Disability Benefits
- Evictions and Landlord-Tenant Law
- Foreclosures
- Debt Management and Bankruptcy
- Personal Injury
- Immigration
- Criminal Law
- Driving Laws
- Family Law and Divorce
- Real Estate
- Estate Planning
- Social Security and Retirement
- Nonprofit
- Consumer Protection
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Employment Law for Employees
In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, many businesses around the country have laid off workers or drastically reduced their hours. In addition, millions of people have been forced to stop working—or to request extended leave—to perform childcare, to care for family members who have contracted coronavirus, or to deal with their own medical issues related to the disease.
If you're a worker who has been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, you might qualify for unemployment benefits, workers' compensation benefits, or a period of paid or unpaid leave. Learn more about your rights and benefits here.
The Post-COVID Workplace: How Will Work Change After the Coronavirus?
The CARES Act: What Does the $2 Trillion Stimulus Bill Mean for Workers?
Employee Rights
Coronavirus: Your Rights in the Workplace
Can My Employer Ask Me to Sign a COVID-19 Waiver?
PPE FAQs: What Are Your Rights in the Workplace?
Coronavirus (COVID-19), Disasters, Emergencies, and Price Gouging in California
Taking Family and Medical Leave
Coronavirus: Returning to Work FAQs
Coronavirus: Can I Be Forced to Work in Unsafe Conditions?
Can My Employer Require Me to Get a COVID-19 Vaccination?
Employment Information by Industry & Job
Uber Drivers: Your Legal Options During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Filing for Unemployment In Your State
Collecting Unemployment Benefits in Your State
Collecting Unemployment
Basic Unemployment Information
How to Appeal an Unemployment Denial
Unemployment Benefits: How Much Will You Get -- and For How Long?
Unemployment Benefits: What If You're Fired?
Denied Unemployment Benefits: The Appeal Process
Do You Need a Lawyer to File for Unemployment Benefits?
Partial Unemployment Benefits During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak
Terminations, Layoffs, RFI's, and Furlough
Leaving Your Job: Layoffs, Furlough, and RFI's
Furloughs: What Are My Rights If My Employer Laid Me Off Temporarily or Cut My Hours?
Do Employees Have Any Protections From Being Laid Off?
Reduction-In-Force or Layoff: What Difference Does it Make?
Union Employees: Are You Protected From Layoffs?
Your Rights When You Leave a Job
State Layoff Laws and Protections
Plant Closings
Workers' Compensation
Can I Get Workers' Compensation Benefits for Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Getting Workers' Compensation Benefits in California for COVID-19
Can You Sue Your Employer If You Were Exposed to COVID-19 at Work?
How Can Healthcare Professionals Get Compensated for Contracting COVID-19 Due to Inadequate PPE in Medical Settings?
Workers' Comp: Can I Get Wage-Loss Benefits While in Quarantine for Coronavirus Exposure?
Workers' Compensation Benefits for Coronavirus
State Specific Articles on Workers' Comp Benefits
Injuries and Illnesses Covered by Workers' Compensation
FAQ on Workers' Compensation Claims and Benefits in California
What If I'm Injured While Working From Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic?
Wage and Hour laws
Your Rights Under Wage and Hour laws
Unpaid Wages: Do You Need a Lawyer?
Your Right to Time Off Work During the Coronavirus
Emergency Coronavirus Law Provides Paid Sick Leave and Expands FMLA Rights
State Laws Protecting Your Right to Time Off Work
State Laws Protecting Your Right to Time Off Work
State Family and Medical Leave Laws
Were You Fired Illegally?
Fired During the Coronavirus Pandemic: Was I Wrongfully Terminated?
Coronavirus: Can You Be Fired for Complaining About Lack of PPE?
Wrongful Termination: Was Your Firing Illegal?
Damages in a Wrongful Termination Case
Wrongful Termination: Retaliation & Whistleblowing
What Will It Cost to Hire a Lawyer for Your Wrongful Termination Case?
For Employers
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a major impact on every business and industry around the globe in expected and unexpected ways. Read below to learn how to adapt to the current national crisis, and manage your business, employees, and possible layoffs during the coronavirus outbreak.
Coronavirus: A Guide for Employers
What Employers Need to Know About Contact Tracing
Enforcement of Business Closure Orders During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Coronavirus-Related Amendments to Your Commercial Lease
Contact Tracing: Guidelines for Employers
What Employers Need to Know About Contact Tracing
Managing Your Employees During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Illegal Reasons for Firing Employees
Keeping Your Remaining Employees After Layoffs
Managing Your Business Finances During the Coronavirus Outbreak
How to Cut Costs and Spend Less in a Cash-Strapped Business
Business and Taxes
The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is wreaking havoc on just about every aspect of peoples’ lives, including work, business operations, personal finances, and more. Below you will find updates on government responses to the COVID-19 crisis--like the IRS extending income tax payment deadlines--and general information to help you through this crisis. Whether you own a business, are an independent contractor, or have general questions or concerns on things like deducting stock losses, we will provide information and legal updates to help keep you informed.
Taxes
The CARES Act
What to Do If You Haven't Received Your Stimulus Check or It's for the Wrong Amount
CARES Act: Learn About the Key New Tax Provisions
Retirement Tax Changes in the Cares Act
New Rules for Charitable Contribution Deductions Under the CARES Act
Personal and Business Tax Deductions
Employer Reimbursement and Deduction Options for Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses Related to COVID-19
Deducting Business Losses Related to the Coronavirus Outbreak
How to Claim a Tax Deduction for Stock Losses
Special Tax Deduction for Employer Disaster Relief Payments to Employees
Paying Taxes
IRS Makes Changes to Estimated Taxes for the Self-Employed in Response to Coronavirus
IRS Eases Enforcement Efforts During Coronavirus Pandemic
IRS Extends 2019 Income Tax Payment Deadline in Response to Coronavirus
File a Superseding Tax Return to Get a Refund for Estimated Tax Overpayments
Business
Relief for Small Businesses
What Assistance is Available for My Small Business Shut Down by the Coronavirus Pandemic?
The CARES Act: Emergency Financial Relief Through SBA Loan Programs
The Advantages of Employee Retention Credit Versus PPP Loans
Getting COVID-19 Relief Through the Main Street Lending Program
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Does My Business Qualify for a PPP Loan?
How Much Money Can Your Business Get From the Paycheck Protection Program?
How Paycheck Protection Program's Loan Forgiveness Works
A Borrower's Guide to the PPP Loan Forgiveness Application
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Gets $310 Billion Second Round Funding
Contracts
Coronavirus and Business Contracts: When Performance Becomes Impossible or Impracticable
Force Majeure Contract Provisions During the Coronavirus Outbreak
How to Negotiate a Force Majeure Clause in Your Contract
Business Interruption Insurance Disputes During Coronavirus Outbreak
Managing Your Business During the Outbreak
Small Business Owner's Survival Guide During COVID-19
What Businesses Qualify as an "Essential Service" During the Coronavirus Outbreak
How to Get Health Insurance Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) During the Coronavirus Outbreak
How Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Can Help Small Businesses During Coronavirus Outbreak
What Happens When Your Event is Cancelled Due to Coronavirus
Short-Term Disability for Business Owners Affected by COVID-19
Coronavirus-Related Amendments to Your Commercial Lease
AirBNB and the Coronavirus Outbreak
Preparing Your Business to Reopen After Coronavirus Outbreak
Steps to Close Your Business During the Coronaviurs Outbreak
Independent Contractors
Relief Available to Independent Contractors During Coronavirus Outbreak
Can I Get Unemployment If I Am an Independent Contractor?
Starting a Business
Benefits of Starting an LLC During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Disability
In response to COVID-19, states are changing their short-term disability programs and Social Security has changed the way it's handling applications and appeals. Find out how to keep your claim on track.
Stimulus for Disability Recipients: When to Use the IRS's Non-Filer Page and Get My Payment Tool
Are Workers Laid Off During the COVID-19 Outbreak Eligible for Disability?
Get Help With Social Security Disability Claims During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Getting California Short-Term Disability Benefits During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Video Mediation During the Coronavirus Pandemic: How Online Dispute Resolution Works
Special Education
COVID-19-Related Special Education Rules for Fall 2020
How COVID-19 and School Closures Affect Special Education and Children With IEPs
Evictions and Landlord-Tenant Law
The economic impact of COVID-19 has been extreme for so many Americans, tenants among them. People who are renting want to know what their rights are and whether any relief is available in light of the coronavirus (it is). At the same time, many landlords face financial stress as well, and also need to know what their rights and options are. See below for information on these critical issues.
Also, if you are trying to avoid an eviction and meet certain requirements, you can submit a CDC eviction ban declaration to your landlord to get protection under the CDC eviction ban for COVID-19.
COVID-19: Eviction Bans by State
Emergency Bans on Evictions and Other Tenant Protections Related to Coronavirus
Coronavirus-Related Eviction Bans and Tenant Resources In Florida
Coronavirus-Related Eviction Bans and Tenant Resources In New York
Coronavirus-Related Eviction Bans and Tenant Resources In Ohio
Coronavirus-Related Eviction Bans and Tenant Resources In Texas
Information for Landlords
Evicting a Tenant or Ending a Lease
How to Evict a Tenant by State
Coronavirus-Related Amendments to Your Residential Lease
Form: Coronavirus-Related Amendment to Residential Lease
How to Conduct California HOA Board Meetings Safely During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Information for Renters and Tenants
Statewide Rent Control Has Arrived: California’s Tenant Protection Act of 2019
Emergency Bans on Evictions and Other Tenant Protections Related to Coronavirus
How Evictions Work: What Renters Need to Know
How Renters Can Protect Their Credit If They Can't Pay Rent Due to the Coronavirus Crisis
Foreclosures
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the federal government, as well as and some states, counties, and courts, have imposed a foreclosure moratorium—a temporary halt to the initiation or continuation of foreclosure procedures—for specific kinds of loans and in particular areas of the country.
Also, if the coronavirus outbreak has impacted your ability to make mortgage payments, you might qualify short-term payment relief, like a forbearance or a waiver of late fees, or a more permanent solution, like a loan modification. Learn more about whether you’re protected from foreclosure due to a moratorium, and how to apply for mortgage relief, here.
Foreclosure Moratoriums and Mortgage Relief Options During the Coronavirus
Coronavirus: Foreclosure Relief
Mortgage Payment Deferral for Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Mortgages
Do I Have to Make a Lump-Sum Forbearance Payment When My CARES Act Forbearance Ends?
Mortgage Help During the Coronavirus Crisis for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Loans
What You Should Do If Your Foreclosure Continues During a Moratorium During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Getting Mortgage Relief During the Coronavirus Outbreak If You Have a FHA Loan
Coronavirus: Mortgage Relief If You Have an FHA-Insured Loan
Coronavirus Mortgage and Foreclosure Relief Under the Federal CARES Act
Moratorium on Reverse Mortgage Foreclosures Due to Coronavirus Outbreak
What Happens to Court Deadlines and Statutes of Limitations During the Coronavirus Outbreak?
Foreclosures During The Coronavirus Outbreak
How to Find, Hire, and Communicate With a Foreclosure Lawyer During the Coronavirus Crisis
Beware of Foreclosure Rescue Scams During the Coronavirus Crisis
How the Coronavirus Outbreak Is Affecting Property Taxes, Tax Sales, and Tax Foreclosures
Do I Have to Make Escrow Payments If I'm in a CARES Act Forbearance?
Can I Stop a Reverse Mortgage Foreclosure During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
Foreclosure Basics
State Foreclosure Relief and Laws
California Judicial Council Postpones Decision on Resuming Foreclosures and Evictions
South Carolina Foreclosure Procedures Now Require a CARES Act Certification
Mortgage-Payment Relief for District of Columbia Homeowners Affected By Coronavirus
Alaska Passes New Law Prohibiting Foreclosures During the Coronavirus Crisis
Mortgage Payment Assistance Program for Iowa Homeowners Affected By Coronavirus
Massachusetts Legislature Passes a Bill Prohibiting Foreclosures During the Coronavirus Crisis
Coronavirus Foreclosure Protections and Mortgage-Payment Relief for Michigan Homeowners
COVID-19 Foreclosure Avoidance Program in Nevada
Mortgage Payment Assistance Program for New Hampshire Homeowners Affected By Coronavirus
New York Passes Residential Mortgage Forbearance Law
Vermont Passes New Law Prohibiting Foreclosures During the Coronavirus Crisis
Virginia Passes New Law Prohibiting Foreclosures During the Coronavirus Crisis
Debt Management and Bankruptcy
While each day of a pandemic or national emergency brings with it unpredictable events, the financial hurdles most people face are surprisingly universal. Find out how planning for both best-case and worst-case scenarios will help you make sound decisions for you and your family.
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
How Much Will My COVID-19 Stimulus Check Be, and Am I Eligible?
Student Loan Relief Under the Federal CARES Act
Credit Protections Under the Coronavirus CARES Act
How to Identify and Avoid Coronavirus Scams
Managing Debt in a Crisis
Coronavirus: Dealing With Debt
Dealing With Loans and Credit Card Debt You Can't Pay After COVID-19
How to Manage Your Credit During the Coronavirus Outbreak
How Renters Can Protect Their Credit If They Can't Pay Rent Due to the Coronavirus Crisis
Managing Your Mortgage During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Mortgage Payment Relief During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Coronavirus: Mortgage Relief If You Have a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac Loan
Coronavirus Mortgage and Foreclosure Relief Under the Federal CARES Act
DeVos and Department of Education Sued for Garnishing Wages During COVID-19 Pandemic
Private Student Loan Relief During the Coronavirus Outbreak in the District of Columbia
Managing Student Loans During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Relief for Private Student Loans During the Coronavirus Crisis
How to Manage Your Federal Student Loans During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Private Student Loan Relief Announced for Borrowers in New York During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Bankruptcy During The Coronavirus Pandemic
Protecting Your CARES Act Stimulus Check From Debt Collectors and Bankruptcy
What to Do If You Can’t Pay Bills Due to the Coronavirus
How to Protect Your CARES Act Stimulus Check and Bank Accounts in California
Laid Off Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)? Bankruptcy Can Help.
Can I File for Bankruptcy If I Can't Leave the House Due to Coronavirus?
CARES Act: Filers Must Use New Official Bankruptcy Forms
Bankruptcy Procedures Change Due to Coronavirus Outbreak
Coronavirus Pushes Back Deadline for Bankruptcy Filers to Get REAL ID
CARES Act Stimulus Payments Don’t Affect Bankruptcy Qualification
In-Person 341 Meetings Forbidden in Bankruptcy During Coronavirus Outbreak
Small Business Bankruptcy and Relief Options During the Coronavirus
Choosing the Right Small Business Bankruptcy Option During the Coronavirus Outbreak
How Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Can Help Small Businesses During Coronavirus Outbreak
Small Business Closed Due to Coronavirus? How Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Can Help.
Why Most Small Businesses Won't File for Chapter 7 During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Save Your Business During the Coronavirus Outbreak by Filing Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Personally
2020 New Louisiana COVID-19 Bankruptcy Exemption
State Bankruptcy Court Closures
California Northern District Bankruptcy Court Closes Physical Location Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Washington Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District Closes Physical Locations Due to Coronavirus
New Jersey Bankruptcy Court Closes Physical Locations Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Florida Southern District Bankruptcy Court Closes Physical Locations Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Personal Injury & Medical Malpractice
The fallout from the coronavirus has reached all corners of the legal system, including personal injury and medical malpractice cases. What happens to cases that were in progress? What are the rules for the cases that emerge in the midst of the pandemic?
Coronavirus: Can I Be Liable for Getting Someone Else Sick?
How Might Coronavirus Affect Your Personal Injury Case?
States Allow Doctors to Practice Across State Lines During COVID-19 Crisis
Coronavirus Outbreak: What Can I Do With My Car Insurance?
Will Medical Workers' Families Have Wrongful Death Claims for Lack of PPE?
Nursing Home Liability (and Immunity) Over COVID-19 Infections and Deaths
Immigration
Whether you're a U.S. citizen abroad or an immigrant hoping to come to the United States, you'll want to keep track of any new restrictions and daily changes in U.S. government policies and procedures.
Navigating the U.S. Immigration System During Coronavirus Outbreak
How Health Issues Can Make You Inadmissible to the U.S.
Can You Get a U.S. Green Card or Visa During Coronavirus Outbreak?
Granted a Temporary Visa Before Coronavirus Outbreak, Can I Still Come to the U.S.?
Now, During COVID-19, Is Not the Time to Get a U.S. Passport, Unless You Can Prove an Emergency Need
Received RFE, NOID, or NOIS From USCIS in March 2020? You Might Have Extra Time to Reply
Reentry Issues for Green Card Holders Stuck Outside the U.S. During COVID-19
Traveling to the U.S.
Coronavirus Travel Ban: Who is Blocked From Entering the U.S.?
What If My U.S. Visa Will Expire Before COVID-19 Travel Ban Lifts?
At the U.S. Border or Airport During COVID-19 Pandemic: What to Expect When Entering
Ban Imposed on Travelers From Europe Due to Coronavirus Threat
Temporary Ban and Quarantine Affects Travel to the U.S. From China, Due to Coronavirus
Trump Expands Ban on Entry Due to Coronavirus to U.S. to Travelers From Iran
H-1B Visa Holders
H-1B Employers and Coronavirus: Obligations Your Business May Have to Workers
How H-1B Workers Can Maintain Legal Status During Coronavirus Pandemic
How Long an H-1B Worker Can Stay in the United States
Just Got Laid Off From H-1B Job—Do I Have Any Grace Period or Can I Get Another Visa to Jobhunt?
Public Benefits for Immigrants and the Public Charge Rule
Can Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Workers Qualify for Unemployment Benefits?
Are Immigrants Eligible for Coronavirus Stimulus Checks?
Which Immigrant Workers Qualify for Unemployment Under the CARES Act?
Will Collecting Unemployment During Coronavirus Outbreak Make Me a Public Charge?
What Public Benefits Can a Green Card Holder Receive?
Criminal Law
The U.S. Constitution and state constitutions protect citizens' fundamental rights--the right to travel, the right to due process, and the right to a fair trial, among others. How will emergency police powers (such as curfews and quarantines) and court closings impact these rights?
Emergency Powers and Citizen Rights During the Coronavirus Public Health Crisis
Coronavirus (COVID-19), Disasters, Emergencies, and Criminal Price Gouging in California
Is Violating a Shelter-in-Place Order a Crime?
Criminal Courts and Procedures
How Is the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Impacting Criminal Cases?
Impact of Coronavirus Outbreak on Jails
Impact of Coronavirus Outbreak on Prisons
Resources for Domestic Violence Victims During COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place Orders
How Every State's Legal System Is Responding to COVID-19
Dealing With Court Fines and Fees During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Driving Laws
Can I Still Renew My License or Registration at the DMV During Coronavirus Shutdowns? | DrivingLaws.org
How Traffic Courts Are Operating During the Coronavirus Outbreak | DrivingLaws.org
Coronavirus-Related Driving Restrictions | DrivingLaws.org
Can Police Pull Me Over for Violating a Coronavirus Stay-at-Home Order? | DrivingLaws.org
Family Law and Divorce
The global Coronavirus pandemic is upending every aspect of our lives. To reduce the spread of this virus, local and state governments are ordering businesses and courts to close, and asking people to stay home and practice social distancing. How will the social and economic impacts of this pandemic affect family law issues, such as divorce cases, custody arrangements, and support orders?
How to Handle Child Custody and Visitation During the COVID-19 Outbreak
Modifying Child Support During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Divorce and Dividing Property During the Coronavirus Outbreak
How Family Law Attorneys and Courts are Operating During the Coronavirus Outbreak
California Allows You to Get Married Online During COVID-19 Outbreak
Real Estate
All markets are being affected by the pandemic, and real estate is no exception. Learn more about what to consider regarding buying, selling, or owning a home during this unstable time.
Can You Buy a House During Coronavirus Pandemic?
Selling a House During Coronavirus Pandemic
Is Now a Good Time to Refinance My Home Mortgage?
Estate Planning
In the face of coronavirus uncertainty, wills, powers of attorney, living wills, and other documents can help you be prepared for the unexpected. Social distancing and commerce restrictions may complicate finalizing some of these documents, but there’s still a lot you can do—even from quarantine-- to safeguard your assets, protect your family, and explain your final wishes.
Estate Planning and Coronavirus (COVID-19): Crisis Planning from Home
Using WillMaker During the Coronavirus Outbreak
How the Coronavirus Pandemic May Affect DNR Orders
Coronavirus Preparation: Now is the Time to Make a Living Will & Medical Power of Attorney
Notarizing and Witnessing Legal Documents During the Coronavirus Crisis
Creating a Financial Power of Attorney While in Coronavirus Quarantine
Social Security and Retirement
New Retirement Rules for COVID-19 Relief
Nonprofit
More Legal Topics