COVID-19 BUSINESS RECOVERY RESOURCES

COVID-19 BUSINESS RECOVERY RESOURCES


coronavirus-header-icon
4/13/2020:  Click here for 
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION FACT SHEET – ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS



4/3/2020: Click here for Press Release from County of Lake: Resources for Businesses Affected by COVID-19

4/3/2020: New information from the U.S. Small Business Administration and their response to small business owners impacted by the Coronavirus, including Economic Injury Disaster Loans.  

Lake County Financial Resources for Businesses – COVID-19 Relief
(Courtesy of the Lake County Economic Development Corporation)

Click the resource name to jump to the article:
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Mendocino Economic Development Finance Corporation (EDFC) Disaster Assistance Loan Program
Umpqua Bank
California Employment Development Department (EDD)
Resources for Laid-off Restaurant Workers
Miscellaneous Financial Assistance Information

 


Small Business Administration (SBA):  Federal Disaster Loans for Businesses, Private Nonprofits, Homeowners, and Renters
The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Highlights Include:

  • $2,000,000 maximum for alleviating economic injury caused by the disaster
  • Uses: pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. 
  • Interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. 
  • Interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.
  • Up to a maximum of 30-year terms.

 

Process and Required Documents:

To apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loans, click on “Apply Online” and create an account and password.  Then submit your application.  An explanation of SBA disaster application loan process is here.  The application requires submitting the following forms (copes of which are available here):

  • Business Loan Application (SBA Form 5) completed and signed by business applicant.
  • IRS Form 4506-T completed and signed by Applicant business, each principal owning 20% or more of the applicant business, each general partner or managing member and, for any owner who has more than a 50% ownership in an affiliate business. (Affiliates include business parent, subsidiaries, and/or businesses with common ownership or management).
  • Complete copies, including all schedules, of the most recent Federal income tax returns for the applicant business; an explanation if not available. 
  • Personal Financial Statement (SBA Form 413) completed, signed and dated by the applicant (if a sole proprietorship), each principal owning 20% or more of the applicant business, each general partner or managing member.
  • Schedule of Liabilities listing all fixed debts (SBA Form 2202 may be used).

       Additional information may also be necessary to process your application:

  • Complete copies, including all schedules, of the most recent Federal income tax returns for each principal owning 20% or more of the applicant business, each general partner or managing member, and each affiliate when any owner has more than a 50% ownership in the affiliate business. Affiliates include, but are not limited to, business parents, subsidiaries, and/or other businesses with common ownership or management.
  • If the most recent Federal income tax return has not been filed, a year-end profit and loss statement and balance sheet for that tax year is acceptable.
  • A current year-to-date profit and loss statement.
  • Additional Filing Requirements (SBA Form 1368) providing monthly sales figures.

 

For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit www.sba.gov/disaster

The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 16, 2020.

 For more information about Coronavirus, please visit: Coronavirus.gov.

 For more information about available SBA resources and services, please visit: SBA.gov/coronavirus.

Back to Top


Mendocino Economic Development Finance Corporation (EDFC) Disaster Assistance Loan Program

Highlights Include:

  • Maximum loan amount of $50,000
  • Interest rate as low as 3.0% APR.
  • Possibility to waive application fees and closing costs.

In order to support small businesses in Lake and Mendocino counties during events like these, the Economic Development Finance Corporation (EDFC), a lending partner of the Lake County Economic Development Corporation, has established a disaster assistance loan program.  If your business is being negatively impacted by the downturn of our economy caused by the Coronavirus-19, you may be eligible for a loan up to $50,000 with interest as low as 3.0% APR.  Also, depending on the size and location of your business, the EDFC may be able to waive application fees and closing costs. 

For more information, contact the EDFC’s Lending Relations Manager, Robert Gernert, at robert@edfc.org or (707) 234-7505. You can visit their website at edfc.org

Back to Top

Umpqua Bank

Small Business Relief Program

The economic impacts of this virus are hitting small businesses hard and we’re taking proactive measures to help you weather the storm. Like our retail consumer relief program, we’re offering these services:

  • Deferring loan payments for up to 90 days
  • Waiving fees associated with deferred payments on existing loans and lines of credit for up to 90 days
  • Waiving all ATM fees to ensure you have access to your funds
  • Actively participating in the SBA’s Disaster Relief Program

Please reach out to your banker or call our Small Business Team at (833) 898-0979 for more information.

Consumer Relief Program

If you and your family are experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19, we’re offering the following to support you:

  • Deferring loan payments for up to 90 days
  • Waiving all fees associated with deferred payments on existing loans and lines of credit for up to 90 days
  • Waiving all ATM fees to ensure you have access to your funds

Umpqua Go-To combines personal banking (with a real human) and the simplicity of digital access so you can enjoy our in-store experience without leaving the house. To get started, simply download Go-To to choose your own personal banker. Now is also a good time to download and begin using our online banking tools. Click here to get started.

Back to Top

California Employment Development Department (EDD)
Resources for Employees and Employers

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit Coronavirus 2019 FAQs for answers to specific questions you may have about COVID-19 and what programs and benefits may be available to you.

https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/faqs.htm

While investigations to learn more about the virus are ongoing, workers and employers should review their health and safety procedures to help prevent exposure to the virus.

The EDD provides a variety of support services to individuals affected by COVID-19 in California. For faster and more convenient access to those services, we encourage the use of our online options.

https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm

Workers

Sick or Quarantined

If you’re unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim. DI provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week.

The Governor’s Executive Order waives the one-week unpaid waiting period, so you can collect DI benefits for the first week you are out of work. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.

For guidance on the disease, visit the California Department of Public Health website.

Caregiving

If you’re unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim. PFL provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member or to bond with a new child. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.

School Closures

If your child’s school is closed, and you have to miss work to be there for them, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits. Eligibility considerations include if you have no other care options and if you are unable to continue working your normal hours remotely. File an Unemployment Insurance claim and our EDD representatives will decide if you are eligible.

Reduced Work Hours

If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim. UI provides partial wage replacement benefit payments to workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced, through no fault of their own. Workers who are temporarily unemployed due to COVID-19 and expected to return to work with their employer within a few weeks are not required to actively seek work each week. However, they must remain able and available and ready to work during their unemployment for each week of benefits claimed and meet all other eligibility criteria. Eligible individuals can receive benefits that range from $40-$450 per week.

The Governor’s Executive Order waives the one-week unpaid waiting period, so you can collect UI benefits for the first week you are out of work. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.

Self-Employed

The available benefits are insurance programs. To be eligible, either you or an employer had to make contributions in the past 5 to 18 months. It is possible these contributions were made at a prior job, or if you were misclassified as an independent contractor instead of an employee. We encourage you to apply for the benefit program that is most appropriate for your situation. Visit Self-Employed/Independent Contractor to learn more.

Employers

Workplace Health and Safety

For information on protecting workers from COVID-19, refer to the Cal/OSHA Guidance on Coronavirus.

Businesses and employers can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for help with planning and responding to COVID-19.

Reduced Work Hours

Employers experiencing a slowdown in their businesses or services as a result of the coronavirus impact on the economy may apply for the UI Work Sharing Program. This program allows employers to seek an alternative to layoffs — retaining their trained employees by reducing their hours and wages that can be partially offset with UI benefits. Workers of employers who are approved to participate in the Work Sharing Program receive the percentage of their weekly UI benefit amount based on the percentage of hours and wages reduced, not to exceed 60 percent.

Visit Work Sharing Program to learn more about its benefits for employers and employees, and how to apply.

Potential Closure or Layoffs

Employers planning a closure or major layoffs as a result of the coronavirus can get help through the Rapid Response program. Rapid Response teams will meet with you to discuss your needs, help avert potential layoffs, and provide immediate on-site services to assist workers facing job losses. For more information, refer to the Rapid Response Services for Businesses Fact Sheet (DE 87144RRB) (PDF) or contact your local America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM.

Tax Assistance

Employers experiencing a hardship as a result of COVID-19 may request up to a 60-day extension of time from the EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. A written request for extension must be received within 60 days from the original delinquent date of the payment or return.

For questions, employers may call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center.

  • Toll-free from the U.S. or Canada: 1-888-745-3886
  • Hearing impaired (TTY): 1-800-547-9565
  • Outside the U.S. or Canada: 1-916-464-3502

Resources

Employment Resources

Health Resources


Back to Top

Resources for Laid-off Restaurant Workers

One Fair Wage Offers Cash Assistance

On Monday, March 16, One Fair Wage launched an emergency fund to support tipped workers and service workers affected by the coronavirus and the economic downturn. The organization is raising funds to provide free emergency cash assistance to restaurant workers, delivery drivers, and other tipped and service workers impacted by the crisis.

The organization hopes to be able to give each worker $213, an amount that nods to $2.13, the federal minimum wage for tipped workers. The organization is also calling on Americans to demand the federal government and every state end the sub-minimum wage and adopt One Fair Wage—not just in this crisis, but permanently. 

Eligible workers will be screened in phone interviews with One Fair Wage staff, and any additional unused funds will be spent on tipped-worker organizing and advocacy. The One Fair Wage campaign is a fiscally sponsored project of the Seattle-based Alliance for a Just Society, which is administering the tax-deductible 501(c)3 donations.

 

The Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation 

The Restaurant Worker’s Community Foundation has formed a COVID-19 Crisis Relief Fund for restaurant workers. The organization will focus on supporting “an industry in crisis,” including both workers and small-business owners. The Fund will provide aid by direct money to those organizations that are doing on-the-ground work, use its impact investing budget to provide zero-interest loans so restaurants can maintain payroll or reopen, and provide relief for individuals facing economic hardship or a health crisis due to coronavirus. The RWCF is also creating a list of resources related to the coronavirus crisis and plans to collect data from workers and restaurant owners who have been affected.

 

Bartender Relief

The USBG National Charity Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing the stability and wellbeing of service industry professionals through education and charity, has launched a Bartender Emergency Assistance Program available to any bartender or the spouse or child of a bartender. Applications are being taken now. 

 

Next Gen Chef

Next Gen Chef, a San Francisco-based culinary platform that allows Foodpreneurs to connect with advisors, is providing free access to its community so people can connect, collaborate and innovate. “We’re hoping that by providing access to our community, food entrepreneurs will access mentors, resources and community members to support each other in this time of uncertainty,” said Justine Reichman, Founder and CEO, who adds that they will also be launching online classes for everyone, forums and will continue offering virtual mentor office hours.

Back to Top


Miscellaneous Financial Assistance Information
(For informational purposes only, individuals should contact entities listed below to discuss each circumstance and verify program accuracy)


US Treasury Secretary Income Tax Deadline Extension

On March 17, 2020, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin released a statement that the federal government will postpone the April 15 tax payment deadline giving Americans another 90 days to pay their 2019 income tax bills. The U.S. government will postpone the April 15 tax-payment deadline for millions of individuals, giving Americans an additional 90 days to pay their 2019 income-tax bills in an unprecedented move intended to ease the economic pain inflicted by the Coronavirus. As part of its coronavirus response, the federal government will give filers 90 days to pay income taxes due on up to $1 million in tax owed, Mnuchin said in Washington. The reprieve on that amount would cover many pass-through entities and small businesses, he said.

California is granting a 60-day delay for affected individuals and businesses unable to file on time

Department of Education Temporary Interest Rate Reduction

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education has announced that all federally held student loans (including Parent PLUS loans) will receive a temporary 0.00% interest rate effective 03/13/20. We expect this to be implemented within the coming weeks and backdated to begin 03/13/20. This interest rate will remain in effect until further notice. Any unpaid interest that accrued prior to 03/13/20 will remain on the account. This interest rate reduction will not change the monthly payment amount. No action will be required from you to receive this interest rate reduction.

PG&E

To help protect the health and safety of our customers and employees in our communities and to mitigate potential disruption to our business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, PG&E has taken a number of precautions:

For Customers:

  • We have implemented a series of billing and service modifications to support customers who have been impacted by the pandemic:
    1. Suspending service disconnections for non-payment and waiving security deposits;
    2. Implementing flexible payment plan options; and
    3. Providing additional support for low-income and medical baseline customers.
  • Go to pge.com/covid19consumerprotections to learn more about our support for customers during these difficult times.
  • Customers are advised to be aware of scammers taking advantage of the current situation with calls and emails threatening to shut off power if a payment is not made. Anyone who has received such a call can report it immediately by calling PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 or visit pge.com/scams.
  • As of Tuesday, March 17, PG&E decided to temporarily close all customer service offices across our service territory to protect the health and safety of our employees and customers. We understand that customers will need support during these challenging times and will continue to provide alternate means to conduct the transactions that occur at the customer service offices through PG&E’s 565 neighborhood payment centers, by phone, online, or through the mail. Signage has been posted with PG&E’s 800 number and the location of the closest neighborhood payment centers at these local offices.

AT&T

As of March 13, 2020, and for the next 60 days, we will waive domestic wireless plan overage charges for data, voice or text for residential or small business wireless customers incurred because of economic hardship related to the coronavirus pandemic. https://about.att.com/pages/COVID-19.html

Verizon

When a Verizon customer is experiencing hardships because of COVID-19, Verizon will waive late fees for 60 days from March 16, 2020 to May 13, 2020, and will not terminate service to a customer who's been impacted by the events involving the Coronavirus. If our customers are experiencing a hardship, they should call our customer service team to discuss their situation and available options. Customer support contact numbers, an online chat feature and support content can be found on the following pages:

Wireless: https://www.verizonwireless.com/support/

Business: https://www.verizon.com/business/gateway/

In Home: https://www.verizon.com/support/residential/home

https://www.verizon.com/about/news/our-response-coronavirus

 

United states Department of Agriculture (USDA)

In connection with the Presidentially declared COVID-19 National Emergency, USDA’s Rural Development has placed a foreclosure and eviction moratorium on all USDA Single Family Housing Direct (SFHD) loans for 60 days effective 3/19/2020.

Under the moratorium, foreclosures on borrowers with USDA SFHD loans will be completely suspended. USDA will not initiate, process, or complete any foreclosures during this time. Similarly, evictions of persons from properties secured by USDA SFHD loans are also suspended for a period of 60 days.

Back to Top