Chatoya Duarte, Author at FFGA

New Enrollment Assistance Center Keeps Customers and Employees Safe

Summer is the time of year that First Financial holds Open Enrollment – a period of time that a majority of customers enroll in their benefits. During enrollment, our representatives typically conduct one-on-one meetings with customers to discuss benefit options and answer questions. However, because COVID-19 continues to run rampant in our communities, First Financial …

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IRS Okays Mid-Year Changes to Health, FSA and Dependent Care Elections

Blog / By Chatoya Duarte

To assist with the nation’s response to COVID-19, the IRS recently announced increased flexibility during calendar year 2020 for employers to allow new types of mid-year election changes under Section 125 “cafeteria” plans and extend claims reimbursement periods for Flexible Spending Arrangements. Under IRS Notice 2020-29, employers can amend their Section 125 plan documents to …

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Where to find COVID-19 resources and law updates

Blog / By Chatoya Duarte

First Financial Group of America is staying on top of current COVID-19 laws and regulations and how changes might affect our customers. The general public is bombarded with information daily, and some of it can be hard to understand. We often hear questions such as: Are my employees entitled to leave? How does emergency paid …

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Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Summary

Blog / By Chatoya Duarte

In the face of economic damage from the COVID-19 pandemic, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) into law on March 27, 2020. This comprehensive legislative relief package is designed to help stabilize fragile industries and to provide tax credits and loans to businesses to help them retain their …

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Over-the-Counter Items and Feminine Care Products Now Eligible for Reimbursement

Blog / By Chatoya Duarte

Effective March 2020, Congress passed the CARES Act, which means two big changes for those with a Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), or Health Reimbursement Account. What does this mean? Here is an overview to help you understand and prepare for these changes. Over-the-counter Eligibility Changes The CARES Act allows HSA, FSA, …

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American flag waving with the Capitol Hill

Congress Expands Paid Leave in Response to COVID-19

Blog / By Chatoya Duarte

President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act on March 18, 2020, expanding paid leave and unemployment benefits to Americans impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The Act: Requires all government employers and private employers with fewer than 500 employees to offer two weeks of paid leave to employees (see Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act, …

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How First Financial is Supporting Our Customers During COVID-19

Blog / By Chatoya Duarte

First Financial Group of America understands the coronavirus has had a major impact on the daily lives of our customers. We are actively monitoring the situation and have taken a series of steps to help keep our staff and work environments safe. The safety and well-being of our customers and team are always our top …

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Protect Yourself from Coronavirus

Blog / By Chatoya Duarte

The Coronavirus (COVID-19), declared “a public health emergency of international concern” by the World Health Organization, has people on high alert and taking extra precautions to protect themselves and their families. As you take steps to protect yourself from Coronavirus, consider the following everyday preventive measures you can do to help prevent the spread of …

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First Financial Group of America – A Partner in Your Community

Blog / By Chatoya Duarte

At First Financial Group of America, we strive to be a partner in your community. We believe that customers should have benefits they actually need. Every workplace has unique needs, much like the people who are employed there. Our goal is to identify those needs and design a benefits package that works for you – …

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Q&A: Alternative Medical Plan Options and How It Affects You

Blog / By Chatoya Duarte

A hot topic of conversation lately has been Texas school Districts of Innovation (DOI) researching alternative options to TRS ActiveCare. Many of these districts are looking for guidance from a knowledgeable insurance provider to understand requirements and the implementation process. It can be a confusing subject, so we are here to simplify it and answer …

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Chatoya Duarte

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