The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), passed in March 2020, aimed to support individuals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. A key provision of the Act was to ensure that self-employed individuals could receive benefits similar to the paid sick time and paid medical leave provided to W2 employees at traditional companies.
By including self-employed individuals, the FFCRA recognized the potential financial hardship they may face if they become ill or need to care for family members impacted by COVID-19, and aimed to provide crucial financial assistance during this challenging time.