ACR 60480 – USPS System Changes Related to FFCRA
Effective May 3, 2021

Introduction

Application Change Request (ACR) 60480 migrated in the Uniform Statewide Payroll/Personnel System (USPS) on May 3, 2021, to allow employees additional leave time and extend the eligibility period to take paid sick leave and receive paid Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave in response to the global coronavirus pandemic. The original federal legislation became effective April 1, 2020.

Issue

Effective April 1, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319) amended the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by extending certain employers’ ability to voluntarily offer paid leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) for the period April 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2021. This legislation allows employers to provide an additional 80 hours of paid sick leave for COVID-19 related absences in this new period.

In addition, the provision allowing a credit on the employer-paid portion of the Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI) tax has been eliminated. Effective April 1, 2021, employers must claim payroll tax credits with their quarterly filing to recoup the costs of providing the leave.

Solution

Effective May 3, 2021, this ACR:

• Adds an additional 80 hours to agency maximums for special pay numbers 31 and 35 on HMAU1.
• Updates USPS to allow for normal calculation for employer-paid OASDI.

Screen/Report/Process/Transaction

USPS payroll has been modified to accept all new time reporting codes and special pay numbers with dates between April 1, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2021.

For more information

Contact your USPS representative.