COVID-19 Emergency Business Resources

‍COVID-19 Crisis Management‍

• The California Department of Public Health issued new guidance on its website including information for businesses and employers.

• The Santa Clara County Public Health Department COVID-19 website is frequently updated with guidance for workplaces, travel, schools, high risk populations, and gatherings. Check the County website for more information. Health Department updates are also available through Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

• The City of San Jose is issuing twice daily flash reports at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Subscribe on the City’s website.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• County Services Going Online- most County Services will be available online, see here for more info: https://www.sccgov.org/sites/opa/opa/covid19/Pages/home.aspx

• Unemployment Insurance and Disability Insurance Claims

The County of Santa Clara Office of Labor Standards Enforcement and the Fair Workplace Collaborative offers free attorney-staffed advice lines at 1 (866) 870-7725 to help workers determine eligibility and apply for Unemployment Insurance and Disability Insurance claims.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• Need help? Have questions? The City of San Jose Small Business Email: If you have any questions, concerns about your business regarding COVID-19 The City of San Jose has created a new email for you to get the help you need: covid19sjbusiness@sanjoseca.gov. You can send the email in English, Spanish or Vietnamese and someone from the City of San Jose will get back to you.

• Small Business Assistance FAQ's‍

There's a lot of interest in Small Business Administration loans to help small companies and nonprofits weather the storm of COVID-19. Office of Economic Development,Vic Farlie put together a handy FAQ on the subject.  

• San Jose Water Suspending Water Shutoffs due to Non-Payment

During this time, San Jose Water is also suspending water shutoffs for non-payment and offering additional protections to customers who may be impacted by COVID-19.  Further information is available at www.sjwater.com.
‍

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• Free Business Coaching

Avoid layoffs and closures here: https://www.edd.ca.gov/pdf_pub_ctr/de8714rrb.pdf

• Health & Safety of your Workplace

Read CAL/OSHA Guidelines on protecting your workers in the workplace from COVID-19: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/coronavirus/Health-Care-General-Industry.html

• Tax Assistance

Governor Newsom has extended State & Local taxes deadline, providing a 90 day extension in state and local taxes, including sales taxlicensing deadlines and requirements for a number of industries

Employers may request a 60 day-extension of time from the Employment Development Department (EDD) within 60 days of any delinquent payment

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

• Unemployment Insurance

Employers can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing Program if reduced production, services or other conditions cause layoffs:

https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/Work_Sharing_Program.htm

• 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. 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. 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.

• 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. 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. 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.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: Congress recently approved an additional $310 billion in funding to restore the PPP Program, which had run out of money.

‍

• Paycheck Protection Program

Here is the United States Senate Committee On Small Business & Entrepreneurship’s FAQs explaining the new SBA loans available to you.  

These FAQs include invaluable information to assist you in understanding how to apply for an SBA loan, how the funds may be used, and which uses of the funds will result in the loan being forgiven. You can find the FAQs here.

• SBA Economic Injury Loans

As many of you are aware, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn.  Known as the “Paycheck Protection Program,” the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses who maintain their payroll during this emergency.  Importantly, these loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward.

Please find attached and at this link the U.S. Chamber’s Coronavirus Emergency Loans Small Business Guide and Checklist.  This is the first of a number of resources we are developing to help you connect your members with the resources recently approved by Congress to respond to the ongoing pandemic.

• Small Business Loans

The Small Business Administration has announced that California small businesses are eligible to apply for direct SBA loans.  Congress is considering providing a special loan program through the banks; however, that is not yet finalized.  For now, all businesses seeking a loan need to apply directly to the SBA.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.‍

‍ Businessownerspace.com is partnering with AnewAmerica, MBDA, SBDC, and SCORE to help prepare loan paperwork. Additional information about the loans is available from the SBA. 

• Free Business Counseling: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/find/

• Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA)‍

The FFCRA requires certain employers to provide employees with expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. Click here to see if this applies to your business.

• IRS Resources for Employers

The IRS has set up a special section to help taxpayers and businesses affected by COVID-19. The page will be updated as new programs are made available. Learn more here.

‍