UW–Madison has established an emergency loan program to provide assistance to those employees who are experiencing financial hardship because they have been placed on Position-Specific Furlough or are working reduced hours in a Work-Share program. The loans are available at zero percent interest. For employees paid biweekly, the maximum amount of the loan is equal to their take home pay for two pay periods. For employees paid monthly, the maximum amount of the loan is equal to their take home pay for one pay period.     Although all aspects of the loan process can be completed online, employees can also arrange to pick up a paper application, drop off a completed application, or pick up a check for the loan amount. Important information, including the application form and promissory note, will be made available in multiple languages. Employees on voluntary leave without pay, voluntary reduction of hours, or Campus-Wide, Intermittent Furlough are not eligible for an emergency loan. Additional details and the application form are available at go.wisc.edu/i5t2kj.

All UW–Madison employees who are on Campus-wide, Intermittent Furlough are required to report their furlough time used. Reporting requirements vary depending on your employee classification. Detailed instructions are now available online on how to report furlough time. Furlough time will be reported under the Time and Absence module in MyUW. Employees are encouraged to report furlough time used as promptly as possible after their furlough days or partial days. If you have questions about this information, you can contact the Human Resources (HR) department for your school, college, or division. The Office of Human Resources also offers assistance at (608) 265-2257 or furlough@hr.wisc.edu. Furlough information is available at hr.wisc.edu/covid19/furlough.

The UW Tax-Sheltered Annuity (TSA) 403(b) Program is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows employees to invest a portion of their income for retirement on either a pre-tax basis, an after-tax basis (Roth), or a combination of both. Participation in the UW TSA Program is voluntary, with employees making the entire contribution; there is no employer match. Live webinars scheduled for May and June will provide information about the TSA Program and other topics related to budgeting, investing, and planning for retirement. A basic introduction to the TSA program is scheduled for Thursday, May 28, at 2 p.m. and Friday, June 19, at 11 a.m. The webinars are free, and registration is required.