COVID-19 FAQs for Parishes

The individual should be paid either scheduled hours as stated in the payroll system or regular hours up to 40 per week through the April 3rd pay date.

The guidance provided applies to all employees, whether they are part time, full time or paid according to a per diem rate such as per Mass for some organists and cantors. They should be paid either scheduled hours as stated in your payroll system or regular hours up to 40 per week. What the employee would have “normally” been paid. Is the expectation that part-time employees such as those in Afterschool programs and cafe workers continue to be paid even though these employees are not able to work remotely due to their job functions. RCAB is asking that we pay all employees through the April 3, 2020 payroll.

If you do not have the funds available to meet payroll or operating expenses, please contact your Parish Services Consultant as soon as possible. We will be working through each parish and school situation on a case-by-case basis to evaluate options for addressing cash shortfalls.

We are also looking at options to lower the monthly charges associated with lay benefits and insurances (workers’ compensation, property, auto, etc.) to reduce costs for parishes, schools and employees to help alleviate the financial hardship our parishes and schools are facing. We are actively working with our Boards of Trustees on the necessary steps to move these options forward. The billing for insurance and benefits will continue to occur. The benefit and insurance trusts need to be able to continue to provide coverage for employees (such as medical coverage if they contract the Corona virus, prescriptions to control diabetes and high blood pressure, or if family members need surgery, etc.) and coverage to protect physical property (such as fire and flood insurance for parish and school buildings and vehicles). Without the funds being paid into the trusts, there will be insufficient resources to pay claims to hospitals, doctors, and pharmacies, and to pay premiums to protect parishes and schools from devastating losses related to weather-related damage, for example. For the medical and dental plans, most employees are contributing to the coverage through payroll deductions. These contributions must be forwarded to the applicable benefit trust to maintain compliance with Massachusetts law.

Funds will be available the next business day. The restriction to have your transfer request in by 11:00 a.m. has been temporarily lifted. A reply email will be sent after the account has been verified.

Yes, you can list multiple accounts in a single request.

We are trying to set up a system to handle all requests in the event we are not in the office. Please send your request to revolvingloan@rcab.org.

Please call your Parish Services Consultant.

Unfortunately, the guidelines need to remain unchanged. The finance department needs this time to access the funds in the various investments. I would encourage using any unrestricted funds in RCAB savings first.