Updates On The Coronavirus Aid, Relief And Economic Security Act

Words: Dan Kamys

Stimulus Checks
Good news! Those on Social Security who don’t file tax returns (because their income is too low) will indeed get stimulus checks. 

  • How much money will you get? Use this simple calculator to find out. 
  • On disability or getting veteran's benefits? As of now, if you didn't file in 2018/2019 because your income from SSDI or veteran's benefits was too low to owe income tax, you should file for 2019 right now in order to get a check. You obviously won't owe money in taxes, and it's a one-page form for most people in that situation. 

SBA Paycheck Protection Loans
Today is the day to apply! Last night, we received the new SBA guidance for their Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). That guidance is 31 pages long and hopefully helps move some loans out the door today. But we’ve heard your concerns about the program.

Know that the goal of PPP is for the government to pay for your business’s key expenses till June 30th, so long as you qualify and keep your payroll intact. The notion is that if the government is going to pay, better to keep people attached to their current employers and keep those employers solvent.

  • All of the PPP docs can be accessed through this link. Forms for both lenders and borrowers are attached. 

Unemployment Insurance Changes

Here is an overview of who is now eligible, how much they'll receive, and for how long. 

Lake Erie Brick Listing Highlights The Long-Term Value Of Well-Maintained Masonry
February 2026

A Cleveland.com “House of the Week” feature spotlights a 1932 brick home near Lake Erie with a $1.59 million asking price. For mason contractors, it is another reminder that brick exteriors can be a premium selling point, but only when the masonry is care

Stone Cladding Panels Forecast Signals More Stone Veneer Work For US Mason Contractors
February 2026

A new IndexBox market update says demand for stone cladding panels is expected to accelerate through 2035, fueled by a broader construction upswing. For US mason contractors who install stone veneer, that points to more opportunity, but also more pressure

New Cavity Fire Barrier Guidance Puts Masonry Wall Safety In The Spotlight
February 2026

A masonry trade group has launched a new Technical Committee and released its first guidance focused on cavity fire barriers. For mason contractors, it is a timely reminder that fire performance details in cavity wall construction deserve the same attenti

The Practicality Behind Cavity Walls
February 2026

The construction industry tends to chase certainty. We want walls that never leak, materials that never move, and systems that behave the same in the field as they do on paper. Every generation pushes for a tighter envelope, a thinner assembly, or a smart