LA CARES Corps is a partnership between the City and County of LA to provide small businesses with the help they need to apply for federal loans under the CARES Act.

What is the CARES Act?

The new Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides $349 billion in Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. These loans are meant to provide emergency assistance to businesses affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In addition to traditional SBA funding programs, the CARES Act established several new temporary programs to address the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), Emergency Economic Injury Grants, and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
A low-interest loan with an optional $10k advance

EIDLs are loans of up to $2 million with a 3.75% interest rate for businesses and a 2.75% interest rate for nonprofits with terms of up to 30 years. This loan offers an optional $10,000 advance as a non-repayable grant within days of a successful application.

 Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
A loan program that provides loan forgiveness for retaining employees

The PPP is a 100% federally guaranteed loan to help small businesses keep workers on payroll for a period of 8 weeks during this crisis. The loans can be up to $10 million with a 1.0% interest rate with a term of two years. It will be fully forgiven if at least 60% of the entire loan is allocated towards payroll, funds are used for eligible uses, and employment and compensation levels are maintained. Borrowers are required to expend the entirety of their PPP loans in 24 weeks or by December 21, 2020, whichever comes first.

For more details, please visit: https://ewddlacity.com/index.php/lacarescorps

Emergency assistance for eligible venues affected by the COVID pandemic.

The first step in doing business with the County of Los Angeles starts with registering as a County vendor.

Vendors who register with the County of Los Angeles can participate in:

•  Bid on over 6,900 categories of commodities and services
•  Be sought after by County Departments seeking qualified vendors
•  Potentially qualify for programs that provide bidding preferences
•  Periodically be notified by email of County Bids by specific commodities/services
•  Respond online to solicitations for commodities
•  Access your profile at any time to make updates

For more details, please visit: https://camisvr.co.la.ca.us/webven/

The Los Angeles County Development Authority will soon launch an affordable and flexible business loan program to support and help stabilize businesses in the region. Small Business Stabilization Loans range from $50,000 to $3 million, and can be used for working capital, equipment purchases, inventory, or refinancing of existing loans at higher interest rates.

Business Eligibility

• Businesses must have a physical location within Los Angeles County.
• Businesses must have been in operation for a minimum of two years at time of application.
• Click here for a list of ineligible businesses.

Interest rate:
Fixed Wall Street Journal Prime rate. (Currently at 3.25%)

Loan Term:
Working Capital – 5-7 years.
Equipment – Up to 10 years.
Real Estate Acquisition and Construction – Up to 20 years.

For more details, please visit: http://bizstabilization.lacda.org/

This loan provides economic relief to small businesses and nonprofit organizations that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue.

California small businesses are drivers of economic growth – creating two-thirds of new jobs and employing nearly half of all private sector employees. California is home to 4.1 million small businesses, representing 99.8 percent of all businesses in the state and employing 7.2 million workers in California, or 48.5 percent of the state’s total workforce.

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a significant challenge to small businesses, employers and employees. An August Small Business Majority survey data found that 44% of small businesses are at risk of shutting down. Data released through the Census Current Population Survey found that minority-owned businesses are disproportionately impacted: the number of
active businesses owned by African-Americans dropped by 41%, Latinx by 32%, Asians by 25%, and immigrants by 36%.

Small business support is critical to ensure these Californians are connected to the resources they need to pivot and adapt to the COVID-19 marketplace. Governor Newsom and the Legislature are using every tool at their disposal to support small businesses as they work to safely reopen and recover from this public health crisis.

Download the fact sheet

Wells Fargo today announced a $2.6 million small business recovery grant to Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) Pacific Coast Regional Small Business Development Corporation (PCR) and Genesis LA Economic Growth Corporation (Genesis LA) to help small businesses manage the economic effects of COVID-19 during the holiday season and beyond. Wells Fargo’s funding will help increase access to capital with low rate loans for diverse Los Angeles County small businesses that have been negatively impacted by the pandemic.

The grant is part of Wells Fargo’s Open for Business Fund (OFB) program, which launched as an approximately $400 million small business recovery effort across the U.S. to help entrepreneurs recover and rebuild. The initiative focuses on three key areas: increasing access to capital through CDFIs, technical assistance, and long-term recovery and resiliency programs for diverse small businesses.

“The Open for Business Fund enlists the care and expertise of organizations like Pacific Coast Regional and Genesis LA to urgently assist the small business community with the capital and technical assistance needed to preserve jobs throughout LA County, especially during the holidays,” said Gregg Sherkin, Senior Vice President, Wells Fargo Social Impact and Sustainability. “By working with these organizations and other CDFIs, we can ensure that local minority-owned small businesses receive the resources necessary to navigate the economic impacts of COVID-19 at this critical time.”

With $2.1M in funding from the Open For Business Fund, Pacific Coast Regional has established the People of Color Business Elevation Fund focused on helping Black and Brown small businesses across southern California recover. The People of Color Business Elevation Fund will provide low rate micro-disaster loans up to $50,000 to eligible and impacted diverse small businesses. Those interested in applying can apply now at: https://pcr.lendwithspark.com/widget/leadframe/?version=16#step2

For more details, please visit: https://www.pcrcorp.org/

The California Rebuilding Fund is a public-private partnership that is aggregating funding from private, philanthropic, and public sector sources – including a $25 million anchor commitment from IBank – to address the capital and advisory needs of California’s small businesses as they reopen and recover from the COVID-19 health and economic crisis. This program is built to serve the smallest of small businesses that make up an essential part of the California economy, and will focus on historically under-resourced communities.

Why is this needed? California small businesses employ almost 50% of the state’s workforce and are vital to restoring economic activity, retaining quality jobs, and driving development in communities most affected by COVID-19. A University of California at Santa Cruz found that by April 2020, the United States had 22 percent fewer small business owners compared to two months prior. California losses have been even greater. Yet, despite these devastating effects on small business operations, many will be able to retool, rebuild, and reopen if they can access affordable credit.

For more details, please visit: https://www.ibank.ca.gov/small-business/california-rebuilding-fund/

Need refrigerators for your small business? The Healthy Stores Refrigeration Program can help.

• Grocery and corner stores can email [email protected] to start the process and confirm eligibility
• A representative will work with you to complete an interest form and choose one to two refrigerators
• Complete a survey before and after installation
• A representative will provide resources on sourcing, marketing, and selling healthy food to be stocked in new refrigerators
• Priority is given to businesses located in Los Angeles food deserts or communities disproportionately affected by pollution

Learn more through this informational flyer (English, Spanish).

For questions and inquiries, reach out to [email protected].

Read the Full LAEDC Report

(Los Angeles, CA) – In an effort to keep small businesses open and operating safely as the flu, cold and Covid-19 seasons converge, PPE Unite is giving small businesses 30-days of free PPE including face coverings, face shields and hand sanitizer. Launching October 28, 2020, the “PPE Unite” program aims to support small business owners by distributing 5.5 million units of personal protective equipment (PPE) at no cost to businesses as they aim to re-open their doors and bring employees back to work. This unprecedented partnership between State, local, and private entities encourages PPE use for small business economic recovery and promotes general public health and safety.

Read the full press release

Additional $1.5 billion from CARES Act to support economic development grants for states and communities suffering economic injury as a result of COVID-19.

For more details, please visit: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=321695

The Southeast Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board (SELACO WDB) is pleased to announce the release of the SELACO COVID-19 Small Business Revitalization Fund (SBRF) grant process. The SBRF grants are designed to assist small employers  located in:

• Artesia
• Bellflower
• Cerritos
• Downey
• Hawaiian Gardens
• Lakewood
• Norwalk
• Paramount

The SBRF is specially designed to support employers experiencing economic stresses and in need of assistance to prevent employee layoffs or facility closures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more details, please visit: https://www.selacowdb.com/public-notices/

Schedule a FREE one-on-one appointment to learn how to sell to the government

The LA County Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) offers one-on-one technical assistance and training to help businesses in Los Angeles County that are interested in local, state, and federal government contracting.

Our PTAC Counselors can help your business with most government contracting matters, including:

• Becoming a registered vendor
• Getting certified
• Finding opportunities
• Target market analysis
• Marketing to the government

To schedule your free one-on-one counseling session, please Sign Up As a New Client and we will connect you with a small business counselor.

If you have any questions please email us at [email protected].

For more information, please click here

The Los Angeles Urban League aims to serve, educate, and empower African Americans and other minorities to secure economic self-reliance and civil rights. The organization provides targeted social programs and advocates for issues that benefit communities of color.

The Los Angeles Urban League’s Urban Center for Entrepreneurship has teamed-up with OmniWorks to create an 18-month incubator program that provides minority and women-owned companies with best-in-class business intelligence, one-on-one strategies for success, and a network of advisors.

For more information, please visit: https://www.laul.org/

Let’s all work together to keep our California communities healthy.

“The state is mobilizing at every level to proactively and aggressively protect the health and well-being of Californians, but we cannot fight this outbreak alone. We need the participation and support of every Californian. That is why we’re providing recent, relevant and reliable information. Californians need to know how critical it is to stay home, learn how to stay healthy and where they can get help. These actions are critical and there is no doubt our collective efforts save lives.

Help get the word out. Please share videos and social media messages about state and local resources available to support the health, safety and well-being of all Californians. We are all in this together.” Source: CA.gov

For more information, please visit: https://covid19.ca.gov/

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to California businesses and residents affected by the recent civil unrest beginning May 26, 2020.

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the SBA will establish a virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about disaster loans offered by the SBA, explain the application process, and help each individual complete their electronic loan application.

Applicants may also apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/.  Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected]gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

Paint Restoration Application
Paint Restoration Application (for non-gmail account users)

The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has compiled helpful information for employers, employees, and all Californians as it relates to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. For a complete list of resources, please visit the California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response website.

For videos, webinar, and other important resources, please visit: https://business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019/

The South Los Angeles Transit Empowerment Zone (SLATE-Z) is a place-based initiative and collective impact partnership  whose mission is to “revitalize South Los Angeles by moving residents to economic opportunity.”

SLATE-Z has compiled a list of COVID-19 grant opportunities for South LA small businesses and organizations.

For the full list, click: here

Join the State of California as they create a movement to support ALL of California’s small businesses – which define our neighborhoods and create economic vitality in California.

The website includes links to:

• Free consulting, in 31 different languages, from California’s network of small business centers
• Resources and offers from our partners to help businesses operate safely and build a digital footprint
• Latest state industry guidance and county variances
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) through SafelyMakingCA.org, California’s new PPE marketplace
• A free digital media toolkit for small businesses and partners

For more information, please visit: https://business.ca.gov/shopsafeshoplocal/

For more information about business and worker resources in Long Beach, visit the following resource pages listed below.

• Physical Distancing Protocol (Reopening Checklist) (Spanish) (Tagalog) – All essential businesses, non-essential retail, golf courses and tennis centers shall prepare and post a Physical Distancing Protocol (Reopening Checklist) at each facility in the city frequented by the public or employees.
• Overview of COVID-19 Business and Worker Resources
• Business Resources
• Worker Resources
• Employer Resources
• Damaged Property Resources
• Real Estate Development Resources
• Economic Relief Package
• Safer at Home Health Order
• City News and Press Releases

For more details, please visit: http://www.longbeach.gov/economicdevelopment/covid-19-business-support/

Inclusive Action for the City has created the Street Vendor Emergency Fund with their partners at East LA Community Corporation and Public Counsel. This fund will provide $400 in direct cash to street vendors who can’t access government resources.

For more details, please visit: https://www.inclusiveaction.org/covid19response

The L.A. County Office of Emergency Management is asking all  small business owners who  have suffered physical damage or economic injury due to recent civil unrest to register online. This will allow these small business owners to be connected to future disaster aid, as it becomes available from state and federal sources.

“Disaster recovery is a multi-layered process, but all efforts always start with clearly capturing the extent of damages and losses suffered in our County,” stated Kevin McGowan, Director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management. “We’ve developed a short online survey tool that both gathers that information and helps us create a registry of business owners so that we can directly communicate with them as future disaster aid resources become available.”

The short online survey is available online by clicking here or visiting bit.ly/SBApdpda.

The McKinsey & Company COVID Response Center builds on their insights from working closely with public and private sector leaders who are grappling with the coronavirus outbreak in North America and elsewhere.

McKinsey & Company offers webinars, a COVID tracker, reopening resources, pertinent articles, and so much more.

For more information, please visit: https://www.mckinsey.com/about-us/covid-response-center/home

Jewish Free Loan Association is offering interest-free loans up to $18,000 to all residents of Los Angeles or Ventura County. Two guarantors are required.

Funds can be used for debris cleanup, graffiti removal, construction needs, inventory replacement and more.

Please visit jfla.org to learn more and fill out our pre-loan application.

Lockheed Martin has announced a new COVID-19 relief program, along with charitable contributions to strengthen communities, supply chains, and the workforce.

For a detailed breakdown of how Lockheed Martin plans to help each of the targeted areas, please visit: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/news/statements-speeches/2020/lockheed-martin-announces-new-covid-19-relief.html

Businesses may be eligible for emergency loans of up to $10,000 from the City of Carson.

Requirements:

• For-profit businesses and non-profit organizations are eligible
• Business must be based in Carson, CA
• Employ 2-50 employees
• Demonstrate a 25% drop in revenue since January 1, 2020

For more details, please visitt: carson.cceda.com 

Under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), loans may be forgiven if borrowers use the proceeds to maintain their payrolls and pay other specified expenses. The Treasury Department and Small Business Administration recently released the application form and instructions for loan forgiveness. The forms, instructions, and worksheets can be downloaded here. The U.S. Chamber released a new step-by-step guide to calculate your loan forgiveness amount, navigate record-keeping requirements, and determine repayment terms on amounts not forgiven. For more relief and reopening resources and guidance, visit here.

The Main Street Lending Program is designed to provide support to small and medium-sized businesses and their employees across the United States during the current period of financial strain by supporting the provision of credit to such businesses. The availability of additional credit is intended to help companies that were in sound financial condition prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic maintain their operations and payroll until conditions normalize. Small and medium-sized businesses are integral to the U.S. economy and create jobs for a large share of the U.S. workforce.

Recent Updates:

• On July 23, 2020, the Federal Reserve Board published the Main Street Lending Program’s frequently asked questions for nonprofit lending. View the FAQs here.
• On July 17, 2020 the Federal Reserve Board modified the Main Street Lending Program to support greater access to credit for nonprofit organizations such as educational institutions, hospitals, and social service organizations. View the term sheets here.
• On July 15, 2020, the Main Street Lending Program’s frequently asked questions for business lending were amended to provide further guidance on a number of issues. See what changed.
• On July 8, 2020, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston published a state-by-state listing of lenders participating in the Main Street Lending Program who are currently accepting applications from new business customers and also elect to be listed. View the listing here.
• On July 6, 2020, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston announced that the Main Street Lending Program is now fully operational for business lending, ready to purchase participations in eligible loans that are submitted to the program by registered lenders. Learn more about registration or read the press release here.

For more details, please visit: https://www.bostonfed.org/supervision-and-regulation/supervision/special-facilities/main-street-lending-program.aspx

The California Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program via Ibank has $50 million in state funding and provides capital for those who do not qualify for federal funds.

– Small businesses and eligible nonprofits located in CA with 1 to 750 employees negatively impacted by COVID-19

– Loans are guaranteed up to 7 years and cover up to 95% of the loan

For more details, please visit: https://www.ibank.ca.gov/small-business-finance-center/

All student loan funds have been re-opened. Apply now.

Interest free emergency loans are available for up to $3,000.

Interest free small business loans are available for up to $18,000.

To qualify

– You are a resident of LA or Ventura County.

– You are a US citizen.

– You have 1-2 people who can sign on your loan and guarantee your loan repayment.

For more details, please visit: https://www.jfla.org/

The Save Small Business Fund is a grantmaking initiative offering short-term relief for small employers in the United States and its territories.

Qualifications:

– Employ between 3 and 20 people

– Be located in an economically vulnerable community

– Have been harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic

For more details, please visit: https://savesmallbusiness.com/

For details and terms, please visit: https://www.ureeka.biz/legal/salesforcegrantsterms

CDC Small Business Finance just launched 2 more emergency loan products.

CDC Small Business Finance is a non-profit lender providing capital to small businesses so they can expand, grow and create jobs in California, Arizona and Nevada.

Please click this link to see a PDF describing the program and requirements.

CDCSBF Emergency Relief Loan Program

If you have any questions reach out to Noe Castillo (contact information below). Hopefully more to come.

Noe Castillo <[email protected]>
Loan Officer | CDC Small Business Finance

A new micro-loan program for small businesses in City of Los Angeles is planned to being operation, with loan amounts from $5,000 to $20,000. https://ewddlacity.com/index.php/microloan-program

The newly established Small Business Emergency Microloan Program now provides financing needed to strengthen small business enterprises in this time of acute need that have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.’

In addition, the Economic Workforce Development Department in City of LA offers a variety of resources, and will help businesses apply for these loans, via telephone or email, as part of their Business Source Centers which are working virtually at this time. Take a look at this great link: https://ewddlacity.com/index.php/local-business/businesssource-centers

Businesses that meet the criteria below may apply online for a City of LA Small Business Emergency Microloan. Please read through the information below prior to application. To apply, please register through our secure log-in system.

Bet Tzedek has partnered with the City of Los Angeles on LA Represents, a new initiative that connects Los Angeles residents facing hardship due to COVID-19 with free legal services.

Small business owners should visit Bet Tzedek’s website to fill out an application and receive free legal assistance related to tax relief, government loans, alternative business models and more.

For more details, please visit: https://corona-virus.la/LARepresents

The Tory Burch Foundation has compiled a great list of resources for female-owned small businesses.

For details, please visit: http://www.toryburchfoundation.org/resources/operations/business-resources-covid-19/

• Businesses in need can contact LAEDC for quick assistance, by emailing [email protected] to receive a followup from our team.
• LAEDC’s rapid response strategic consulting helps businesses overcome major challenges, confidentially and at no-cost. Our award-winning business assistance team can help your organization overcome cost issues, evaluate alternatives to layoffs, manage utility cost issues and be a strategic partner. To engage this help, businesses can email We have helped employers in this way since the Great Recession, helping to save over 240,000 direct jobs since the program was created, and we stand ready to assist. LAEDC exists to serve all the residents of LA County, who benefit from this program when layoffs are averted and employers remain operational.
• In addition, California EDD offers a Rapid Response team to help avert layoffs, and provides onsite services to employers. EDD suggests contacting the nearest America’s Job Center.

Assess the potential impact to your business and gauge your readiness to respond

PwC provides this useful tool, the PwC COVID-19 Navigator, to help businesses and other employers understand the facts about the current and potential future impact of COVID-19, to help you make informed decisions for your people and for the business.

The Navigator is an online, interactive tool. It is free of charge to participate. It’s designed to help you and your leadership members better understand where you are on the path toward COVID-19 preparedness across these six focus areas:

• Crisis management and response
• Workforce
• Operations and supply chain
• Finance and liquidity
• Tax and trade
• Strategy and brand

Upon completion, participants will receive a customized report from PwC, based on their specific responses, with insights and recommendations. Subsequent versions will include benchmarking data to allow participants to compare their own risk/readiness with similar organizations.

Please click on the start button below to begin.

Start Here

Please note, PwC states your confidential input will be aggregated with those of your peers and neither you nor your organization’s responses will be identifiable to other participants. From within the Navigator, you will be able to share your link with others in your organization in order for them to respond to different sections of the survey.

If you have any questions on this survey or how PwC’s crisis team can help navigate through the challenges of COVID-19, email the Navigator team at [email protected] or visit PwC’s COVID-19 website.

• The Employment Development Department (EDD) provides a variety of resources for employers who anticipate a reduction of work hours or potential closure or layoffs as a result of Coronavirus. Employers experiencing a hardship as a result of Coronavirus may also 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. For question, employers may call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center at (888) 745-3886.
• Employers can receive 60-day extensions for payroll tax – via EDD eservices for business
• Employers can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) “Work Sharing Program” if reduced production, services, or other conditions cause them to seek an alternative to layoffs. The Work Sharing Program helps employees whose hours and wages have been reduced.
• If you operate a business and are planning closure or layoffs – A Rapid Response team is available to help avert layoffs, and provides onsite services to employers. EDD suggests contacting the nearest America’s Job Center. LAEDC can also help, email [email protected]

For more details on the programs listed in the bullets above: https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm

4/9 Update: Applications closed very shortly after opening, but waitlist is an opportunity

4/9/20 update: Due to tremendous demand compared to the relatively modest amount of grantmaking currently funded, County of LA is no longer accepting applications for this grant. However, businesses are encouraged to add their name to the waitlist (https://mywdacs.force.com/community/WDACSGrantManagementLogin), as it is possible more funding will be made available. LAEDC will post and update as soon as we are able.

Also, LAEDC is learning of new sources of funds on a daily basis and will continue to post them.

To help businesses during the coronavirus pandemic, Los Angeles County launched a $500,000 fund for grants to companies with two to 50 full-time employees. As of 4/9 the program is fully subscribed but a waitlist has opened up.

Here are the originally provided guidelines,:

The maximum amount a company can get is $10,000; applications will be available online starting at 8 a.m. on Wednesday and be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. https://workforce.lacounty.gov/

The presentation can be found here:
https://bos.era.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/,DanaInfo=workforce.lacounty.gov,SSL+Employer-Assistance-Grant-Fund-Application-Webinar-4.7.2020.pdf

Please see the fact sheet https://workforce.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Factsheet-Updated-Date-and-Information.gif
and the application link: https://mywdacs.force.com/community/WDACSGrantManagementLogin

For further information, please visit: https://workforce.lacounty.gov/

To learn if you qualify, click here.

Questions? E-mail [email protected]

About 25% of awards will be reserved for social enterprises that demonstrate a need and ability to serve vulnerable populations. Priority will also be given to businesses in unincorporated areas of the county.

In order to qualify, businesses must:

• Be a for-profit corporation, partnership, or nonprofit with a for-profit activity in Los Angeles County
• Have between two and 50 full-time employees
• Have less than $2 million in gross receipts or annual revenue
• Have been established on or before Dec. 4, 2019
• Be able to produce tax returns
• Demonstrate significant economic hardship as a result of COVID-19. Businesses that have demonstrated evidence of a loss of revenue of at least 20% will have met this burden.

Businesses can use the money to:

• Pay mortgages, rent or utilities
• Cover working capital costs
• Pay for inventory
• Bridge funding to other lenders, such as Small Business Administration Payroll Protection
• Pay down other debt incurred before the covered period

The grants may not be used to pay outstanding taxes, legal judgments, employee payroll or benefits, or for lobbying.

Called the Employer Assistance Grant Fund, the state-funded program is the result of a collaboration between the L.A. County Board of Supervisors, Department of Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services and the California Employment Development Department.

Google has created a dedicated website of resources for small businesses to help business owners navigate some of the challenges presented by COVID-19 and the need for physical distancing. Easy-to-use tools are there to help businesses communicate with customers and their employees, create efficient systems for working remotely and modify advertising if necessary. Google is also helping educators, students and employees teach, learn and work from anywhere through Grow with Google. And, as more workers are required to stay at home to help slow the spread of COVID-19, more people are using the premium features of Meet, Google’s video conferencing app, which is now available to all G Suite customers at no cost until July 1, 2020. Google is also providing $340 million in Google Ad credits to businesses so they can stay in touch with customers.

Social distancing is key

LAEDC presents the following recommendations to help businesses weather the slowdown caused by coronavirus. As with any recommendations, we ask readers to evaluate the merit of each, based on their own organization’s needs.

New City of LA Business Resilience Toolkit

The City of LA Mayor’s Office has published a solid collection of resources and recommendations for employers.

Download Now

LAEDC provides the following detail on business / employer relief in the federal Cares Act. Here are the details:

Information is still being analyzed, and while LAEDC is making reasonable efforts to verify accuracy, it is important that readers source information from official sources before making decisions.

Coronavirus: Q&A related to businesses

Q&A for businesses (pdf)

o Small businesses

o Small Business Debt Relief Program

o Economic Injury Disaster Loans & Emergency Economic Injury Grants

o Counseling and training

o Airlines

SMALL BUSINESSES

What support is there for small businesses?

Refundable tax credits are available for private-sector employers that are required to offer coronavirus related paid leave to employees. IRS will be posting information soon on these credits on its website (www.irs.gov), including information on how to obtain advance payment of these credits.

The employer side of certain payroll taxes are deferred through the end of 2020. Deferred taxes will not become due until end of 2021 and end of 2022, with 50% of the liability being paid at each date. Any business that does not have a loan forgiven under the new SBA Paycheck Protection Program is eligible for the payroll tax deferral.

An employee retention tax credit is available for struggling businesses that are not eligible or choose not to participate in the new SBA Paycheck Protection Program. Any business that has been forced to fully or partially suspend operations, or that has seen a significant drop in revenues is eligible for a 50-percent credit for wages paid to furloughed or reduced-hour employees. For businesses with 100 employees or less, the credit is based on all wages paid, regardless of whether an employee is furloughed. There is an overall limit on wages per employee of $10,000. The credit can be claimed against the business’s quarterly payroll tax liability and is fully refundable to the extent of excess. There will also be options to receive advance payments. Small business owners should lookout for information at IRS.gov and talk to their payroll service provider, as applicable.

$350 billion is made available for a new Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The program would provide cash-flow assistance through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans to employers who maintain their payroll during this emergency. If employers maintain their payroll, the loans would be forgiven, which would help workers remain employed, as well as help affected small businesses and our economy to snap-back quicker after the crisis. PPP has a host of attractive features, such as forgiveness of up to 8 weeks of payroll based on employee retention and salary levels, no SBA fees and at least six months of deferral with maximum deferrals of up to a year. Small businesses and other eligible entities will be able to apply if they were harmed by COVID-19 between February 15, 2020 and June 30, 2020. This program is would be retroactive to February 15, 2020, in order to help bring workers who may have already been laid off back onto payrolls. Loans are available through June 30, 2020.

$17 billion is available for immediate relief to small businesses with non-disaster SBA loans, in particular 7(a), 504, and microloans. Under it, SBA will cover all loan payments on these SBA loans, including principal, interest, and fees, for six months. This relief will also be available to new borrowers who take out loans within six months of the President signing the bill into law.

The CARES Act creates a new SBA Economic Injury Emergency Grant Program. These grants provide an emergency advance of up to $10,000 to small businesses and private non-profits harmed by COVID-19 within three days of applying for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). To access the advance, you must first apply for an EIDL and then request the advance. The advance does not need to be repaid under any circumstance, and may be used to keep employees on payroll, to pay for sick leave, meet increased production costs due to supply chain disruptions, or pay business obligations, including debts, rent and mortgage payments.

What type of assistance will independent contractors be eligible for?

Refundable tax credits are available for independent contractors who would have qualified for coronavirus related paid leave if they were employees. IRS will be posting information soon on these credits on its website (www.irs.gov), including information on how to claim these credits.

50 percent of certain self-employment taxes are deferred through the end of 2020. Deferred taxes will not become due until end of 2021 and end of 2022, with 50% of the liability being paid at each date.

Independent contractors are also eligible for assistance through the Small Business Administration’s new Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Emergency Grant Program.

What assistance is there for nonprofits?

The employer side of certain payroll taxes are deferred through the end of 2020. Deferred taxes will not become due until end of 2021 and end of 2022, with 50% of the liability being paid at each date. Any business that does not have a loan forgiven under the new SBA Paycheck Protection Program is eligible for the payroll tax deferral.

Certain tax-exempt organizations that have been forced to fully or partially suspend operations, or that have seen a significant drop in revenues are eligible for a 50-percent credit for wages paid to furloughed or reduced-hour employees. Organizations that participate in the SBA Paycheck Protection Loan Program are not eligible for the credit. For organizations with 100 employees or less, the credit is based on all wages paid, regardless of whether an employee is furloughed. There is an overall limit on wages per employee of $10,000. The credit can be claimed against the organization’s quarterly payroll tax liability and is fully refundable to the extent of excess. There will also be options to receive advance payments.

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, along with small businesses, 501(c)(19) veterans organizations, and tribal businesses, are eligible to apply for the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. Through this program, a nonprofit organization can apply to an SBA-approved lender for a loan of up to 250% of your average monthly payroll costs to cover eight weeks of payroll as well as help with other expenses like rent, mortgage payments, and utilities. The maximum loan amount is $10 million. This loan can be forgiven based on maintaining employee and salary levels. For any portion of the loan that is not forgiven, the terms include a maximum term of 10 years, a maximum interest rate of 4 percent. Nonprofit organizations will be able to apply if they were harmed by COVID-19 between February 15, 2020 and June 30, 2020. To be eligible, nonprofit organizations must have fewer than 500 employees, or more if SBA’s size standards for the non-profit allows, and comply with the SBA’s affiliation rules for nonprofits. This program is retroactive to February 15, 2020, in order to help bring workers who may have already been laid off back onto payrolls. Loans are available through June 30, 2020.

A provision in the CARES package would authorize a program to allow any mid-sized nonprofit between 500 and 10,000 employees to get access to quick, low cost, government guaranteed credit through their local lender or financial institution. These organizations need cash now and so this program is set up to get money quickly in the hands of those who need it in order to preserve workforce during the COVID-19 health emergency.

The Treasury Department and Federal Reserve will have a degree of flexibility in designing the new program, but the expectation is for loan terms to last for no more than five years and to cover up to 100% of payroll over the previous 180 days, or 50% of revenues for the past year, for eligible organizations. Underwriting requirements should be kept simple, based on employer size, creditworthiness as of January 2020, and the ability to produce recent tax returns or audited financial statements. The legislation prescribes that the loans must carry an interest rate of no greater than 2% and to provide forbearance on principal and interest for at least the first 6 months. Borrowers will also be required to protect workers. Any loan recipient will have to attest that they’ll use the money to keep workers employed — at least to 90% of their payroll — and keep workers paid at close to full compensation and benefits. Borrowers will also commit to rehiring their workforce back to preexisting levels upon the end of the COVID-19 health emergency.

The most efficient way to deliver fast credit to eligible organizations is through existing relationships with local lenders. Under the program, any qualified organization should be able to receive financing at a local bank, credit union, CDFI, or qualified nonbank lender.

What types of businesses and entities are eligible for a PPP loan?

• Businesses and entities must have been in operation on February 15, 2020.

• Small business concerns, as well as any business concern, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a 501(c)(19) veterans organization, or Tribal business concern described in section 31(b)(2)(C) that has fewer than 500 employees, or the applicable size standard in number of employees for the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) industry as provided by SBA, if higher.

• Individuals who operate a sole proprietorship or as an independent contractor and eligible self-employed individuals.

• Any business concern that employs not more than 500 employees per physical location of the business concern and that is assigned a North American Industry Classification System code beginning with 72, for which the affiliation rules are waived.

• Affiliation rules are also waived for any business concern operating as a franchise that is assigned a franchise identifier code by the Administration, and company that receives funding through a Small Business Investment Company

What are SBA affiliation rules?

Affiliation rules become important when SBA is deciding whether a business’s affiliations preclude them from being considered “small.” Generally, affiliation exists when one business controls or has the power to control another or when a third party (or parties) controls or has the power to control both businesses. Please see this resource for more on these rules and how they can impact your business’s eligibility.

What types of non-profits are eligible for the SBA PPP assistance?

In general, 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(19) non-profits with 500 employees or fewer as most non-profit SBA size standards are based on employee count, not revenue. You can check here.

How is the PPP loan size determined?

Depending on your business’s situation, the loan size will be calculated in different ways (see below). The maximum loan size is always $10 million.

• If you were in business February 15, 2019 — June 30, 2019: Your max loan is equal to 250 percent of your average monthly payroll costs during that time period. If your business employs seasonal workers, you can opt to choose March 1, 2019 as your time period start date.

• If you were not in business between February 15, 2019 — June 30, 2019: Your max loan is equal to 250 percent of your average monthly payroll costs between January 1, 2020 and February 29, 2020.

• If you took out an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) between February 15, 2020 and June 30, 2020 and you want to refinance that loan into a PPP loan, you would add the outstanding loan amount to the payroll sum.

What costs are eligible for payroll under the PPP?

• Compensation (salary, wage, commission, or similar compensation, payment of cash tip or equivalent)

• Payment for vacation, parental, family, medical, or sick leave

• Allowance for dismissal or separation

• Payment required for the provisions of group health care benefits, including insurance premiums

• Payment of any retirement benefit

• Payment of State or local tax assessed on the compensation of employees

What costs are not eligible for payroll under the PPP?

• Employee/owner compensation over $100,000

• Taxes imposed or withheld under chapters 21, 22, and 24 of the IRS code

• Compensation of employees whose principal place of residence is outside of the U.S

• Qualified sick and family leave for which a credit is allowed under sections 7001 and 7003 of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

What are allowable uses of loan proceeds with a PPP loan?

• Payroll costs (as noted above)

• Costs related to the continuation of group health care benefits during periods of paid sick, medical, or family leave, and insurance premiums

• Employee salaries, commissions, or similar compensations (see exclusions above)

• Payments of interest on any mortgage obligation (which shall not include any prepayment of or payment of principal on a mortgage obligation)

• Rent (including rent under a lease agreement)

• Utilities

• Interest on any other debt obligations that were incurred before the covered period

What are the loan term, interest rate, and fees for a PPP loan?

For any amounts not forgiven, the maximum term is 10 years, the maximum interest rate is 4 percent, zero loan fees, zero prepayment fee (SBA will establish application fees caps for lenders that charge).

How is the forgiveness amount calculated under PPP?

Forgiveness on a covered loan is equal to the sum of the following payroll costs incurred during the covered 8 week period compared to the previous year or time period, proportionate to maintaining employees and wages (excluding compensation over $100,000):

Payroll costs plus any payment of interest on any covered mortgage obligation (not including any prepayment or payment of principal on a covered mortgage obligation) plus any payment on any covered rent obligation plus and any covered utility payment.

How do I get forgiveness on my PPP loan?

You must apply through your lender for forgiveness on your loan. In this application, you must include:

• Documentation verifying the number of employees on payroll and pay rates, including IRS payroll tax filings and State income, payroll and unemployment insurance filings

• Documentation verifying payments on covered mortgage obligations, lease obligations, and utilities.

• Certification from a representative of your business or organization that is authorized to certify that the documentation provided is true and that the amount that is being forgiven was used in accordance with the program’s guidelines for use.

What happens after the forgiveness period for a PPP loan?

Any loan amounts not forgiven is carried forward as an ongoing loan with max terms of 10 years, at 4% max interest. Principal and interest will continue to be deferred, for a total of 6 months to a year after disbursement of the loan. The clock does not start again.

Can I get more than one PPP loan?

No, an entity is limited to one PPP loan. Each loan will be registered under a Taxpayer Identification Number at SBA to prevent multiple loans to the same entity.

What kind of lender can I get a PPP loan from?

All current SBA 7(a) lenders are eligible lenders for PPP. The Department of Treasury will also be in charge of authorizing new lenders, including non-bank lenders, to help meet the needs of small business owners.

How does the PPP loan coordinate with SBA’s existing loans?

Borrowers may apply for PPP loans and other SBA financial assistance, including Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs), 7(a) loans, 504 loans, and microloans, and also receive investment capital from Small Business Investment Corporations (SBICs).

How does the PPP loan work with the temporary Emergency Economic Injury Grants and the Small Business Debt Relief program?

Emergency Economic Injury Grant recipients and those who receive loan payment relief through the Small Business Debt Relief Program may apply for and take out a PPP loan. Refer to those sections for more information.

SMALL BUSINESS DEBT RELIEF PROGRAM

Which SBA loans are eligible for debt relief under this program?

7(a) loans not made under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), 504 loans, and microloans. Disaster loans are not eligible.

How does debt relief under this program work with a PPP loan?

Borrowers may separately apply for and take out a PPP loan, but debt relief under this program will not apply to a PPP loan.

How do I know if I’m eligible for a 7(a), 504, or microloan?

In general, businesses must meet size standards, be based in the U.S., be able to repay, and have a sound business purpose. To check whether your business is considered small, you will need your business’s 6-digit North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code and 3-year average annual revenue. Each program has different requirements, see https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans for more details.

What is a 7(a) loan and how do I apply?

7(a) loans are an affordable loan product of up to $5 million for borrowers who lack credit elsewhere and need access to versatile financing, providing short-term or long-term working capital and to purchase an existing business, refinance current business debt, or purchase furniture, fixtures and supplies. In the program, banks share a portion of the risk of the loan with SBA. There are many different types of 7(a) loans, you can visit this site to find the one that’s best for you. You apply for a 7(a) loan with a bank or a mission-based lender. SBA has a free referral service tool called Lender Match to help find a lender near you.

What is a 504 loan and how do I apply?

The 504 Loan Program provides loans of up to $5.5 million to approved small businesses with long-term, fixed-rate financing used to acquire fixed assets for expansion or modernization. It is a good option if you need to purchase real estate, buildings, and machinery. You apply through a Certified Development Company, which is a nonprofit corporation that promotes economic development. SBA has a free referral service tool called Lender Match to help find a lender near you.

What is a microloan and how do I apply?

The Microloan Program provides loans up to $50,000 to help small businesses and certain not-for-profit childcare centers to start up and expand. The average microloan is about $13,000. These loans are delivered through mission-based lenders who are also able to provide business counseling. SBA has a free referral service tool called Lender Match to help find a microlender near you.

I am unfamiliar with SBA loans, can anyone help me apply?

Yes, SBA resource partners are available to help guide you through the loan application process. You can find your nearest Small Business Development Center (SBDC) or Women’s Business Center here.

ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS & EMERGENCY ECONOMIC INJURY GRANTS

Are businesses and private non-profits in my state eligible for an EIDL related to COVID-19?

Yes, those suffering substantial economic injury in all 50 states, DC, and the territories may apply for an EIDL.

What is an EIDL and what is it used for?

EIDLs are lower interest loans of up to $2 million, with principal and interest deferment available for up to 4 years that are available to pay for expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred, including payroll and other operating expenses.

Who is eligible for an EIDL?

• Small business concerns (including sole proprietorships, with or without employees)

• Independent contractors

• Cooperatives and employee owned businesses

• Private non-profits

• Tribal small businesses

Small business concerns and small agricultural cooperatives that meet the applicable size standard for SBA are also eligible, as well as most private non-profits of any size. See below for more info on size standards.

My private non-profit is not a 501(c)(3). Is it still eligible for an EIDL and a grant?

Yes, if you are a private non-profit with an effective ruling letter from the IRS, granting tax exemption under sections 501(c), (d), or (e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, or if you can provide satisfactory evidence from the State that the non-revenue producing organization or entity is a non-profit one organized or doing business under State law. However, a recipient that is principally engaged in teaching, instructing, counseling, or indoctrinating religion or religious beliefs, whether in a religious or secular setting, or primarily engaged in political or lobbying activities is not eligible to receive an EIDL. If you are uncertain whether you qualify, please consult with legal counsel to determine whether your organization meets program criteria.

Who is eligible for an Emergency Economic Injury Grant?

Those eligible for an EIDL and who have been in operation since January 31, 2020, when the public health crisis was announced.

How long are Emergency Economic Injury Grants available?

January 31, 2020 — December 31, 2020. The grants are backdated to January 31, 2020 to allow those who have already applied for EIDLs to be eligible to also receive a grant.

If I get an EIDL and/or an Emergency Economic Injury Grant, can I get a PPP loan?

Whether you’ve already received an EIDL unrelated to COVID-19 or you receive a COVID-19 related EIDL and/or Emergency Grant between January 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, you may also apply for a PPP loan. If you ultimately receive a PPP loan or refinance an EIDL into a PPP loan, any advance amount received under the Emergency Economic Injury Grant Program would be subtracted from the amount forgiven in the PPP. However, you cannot use your EIDL for the same purpose as your PPP loan. For example, if you use your EIDL to cover payroll for certain workers in April, you cannot use PPP for payroll for those same workers in April, although you could use it for payroll in March or for different workers in April.

How do I know if my business is a small business?

Please visit https://www.sba.gov/size-standards/ to find out if your business meets SBA’s small business size standards. You will need the 6-digit North American Industry Classification Code for your business and your business’ 3-year average annual revenue.

How do I apply for an economic injury disaster loan?

To apply for an EIDL online, please visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. Your SBA District Office is an important resource when applying for SBA assistance.

I am unfamiliar with the EIDL process, can anyone help me apply?

Yes, SBA resource partners are available to help guide you through the EIDL application process. You can find the nearest Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Women’s Business Center, or SCORE mentorship chapter at https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/find/.

COUNSELING AND TRAINING

Do I have to pay for counseling and training through SBDCs, WBCs, and MBDCs?

Counseling is free and training is low-cost with these partners. The additional funds that Congress provided will help keep this possible. Mentorship through SCORE is always free.

What is a SBDC?

SBDCs are a national network of nearly 1,000 centers that are located at leading universities, colleges, state economic development agencies and private partners. They provide counseling and training to new and existing businesses. Each state has a lead center that coordinates services specifically for that state, which you can find by clicking the link above. To find out more about SBDCs, visit https://americassbdc.org/about-us/.

What is a WBC; is it only for women?

WBCs are a national network of more than 100 centers that offer one-on-one counseling, training, networking, workshops, technical assistance and mentoring to entrepreneurs on numerous business development topics. In addition to women, WBCs are mandated to serve the needs of underserved entrepreneurs, including low-income entrepreneurs. They often offer flexible hours to meet the needs of their diverse clientele. To find out more about WBCs, visit https://www.awbc.org/.

What is SCORE?

SCORE provides free, confidential business advice through our volunteer network of 10,000+ business experts. You can meet with a mentor online. Find out more here

Who do MBDCs serve?

MBDCs are a good option for minority-owned businesses (including those owned by Black, Hispanic, Asian American/Pacific Islander, and American Indian business owners), especially those seeking to penetrate new markets — domestic & global — and grow in size and scale

AIRLINES

Why will airlines receive $29 billion in grants?

The aviation industry accounts for more than 5 percent of America’s GDP, contributing $1.6 million in economic activity and supporting nearly 11 million jobs. Aerospace manufacturing employs 2.5 million highly-trained and skilled workers nationwide. Airline traffic has fallen significantly as the American public has made the smart decision to stop traveling to avoid catching and spreading the virus. We need to ensure that those businesses that, through no fault of their own, are impacted by the coronavirus are able to retain their highly skilled workforces and not drive them to find new jobs. The $29 billion in grants will go directly towards employees’ wages, salaries and benefits. Additionally, $3 billion in grants will go towards wages, salaries, and benefits of airline contractors, like catering and ground support staff.

What other financial assistance is available to airlines and the aerospace industry?

A total of $29 billion is available in loans and loan guarantees for airlines, including $25 billion for passenger airlines, aircraft repair companies, and ticket agents. $4 billion is available in loans for cargo airlines. An additional $17 billion is available in loans and loan guarantees for businesses critical to national security, including businesses in the crucial aerospace manufacturing supply chain.

What protections are included for workers and taxpayers?

Grants dedicated to sustaining payroll for workers will be immediately available. The bill provides additional protections for workers and taxpayers by including prohibitions on stock buybacks and dividends, and limitations on executive compensation. Collective bargaining agreements will be protected and businesses will be required to retain employees. The government will also receive warrants or equity in publicly traded companies to make sure the taxpayers are protected in the event of a loan or loan guarantee default.

Do the grants and loans account for impacted small and rural communities?

The Secretary of Transportation will make decisions about scheduled air transportation service deemed necessary and is directed to consider needs of small and remote communities and the need to maintain the health care and pharmaceutical supply chains. These provisions ensure that air carriers that get grants and loans are still subject to the Secretary’s requirements to serve communities.

Small business aid outlined in federal Cares Act

Business tax cuts outlined in federal Cares Act

LAEDC supports bill H.R.6040 to reduce the interest rate to zero on Small Business Administration emergency loans to businesses. Here is LAEDC’s support letter to local Congresswoman Judy Chu, a coauthor of H.R.6040. Thank you, Representative Chu for your leadership on this issue.

March 5, 2020

The Honorable Judy Chu
United States House of Representatives
2423 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515

Re: H.R.6040 — SUPPORT

Dear Representative Chu:

On behalf of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), an organization whose purpose is to advance opportunity and prosperity for all the residents of Los Angeles County, I am pleased to support House of Representatives bill 6040 (H.R.6040), titled: “Small Business Relief from Communicable Disease Induced Economic Hardship Act of 2020”, which would amend the Small Business Act(1) to ensure that small businesses affected by the onset of communicable diseases, such as COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”), are eligible for disaster relief.
Enacted more than 65 years ago, the Small Business Act affirms and carries out the long-standing declared policy of the Congress “to aid, counsel, assist, and protect, insofar as is possible, the interests of small business concerns.”(2) Unfortunately, not since the financial crisis of 2008 have the interests of small businesses been more at-risk and in need of federal aid, assistance and protection than now.

Similar to the other parts of the nation and across the globe in Asia and Europe, here in Los Angeles, our 489,618 (mostly small) business establishments, which support more than 3.87 million payroll workers, are likely to experience a number of maleficent and perhaps irreversible financial damages, ranging from lost revenue and operating losses, to credit defaults and business failures, to temporary and permanent layoffs, as a result of the forecasted global economic slowdown due to the Coronavirus. From customers who stay home to workers who call in sick, small business owners, many of whom are not well-positioned financially to weather a long downturn, will no doubt be grievously hurt as the Coronavirus impacts expand from a few sporadic outbreaks to a global pandemic, which Anne Schuchat, principal Deputy Director of the Centers for Disease Control, said will not be “a question of if this will happen, but rather more a question of when this will happen.”

On macro level, the Coronavirus is already having a negative industrial impact here in Los Angeles. The twin (“San Pedro”) ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, responsible for about 40 percent of all waterborne freight into the United States and the centerpiece of our region’s trade and logistics industries, supporting thousands of warehousing, transportation and freight forward businesses and over 580,000 workers across Southern California (2017), are seeing slowdowns as Chinese and Korean factories struggle to sustain production. In fact, container operators have recently canceled nearly 60 trans-Pacific sailings to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.(3)

In Los Angeles’s tourism and hospitality industries, which support more than 530,000 workers and serve and accommodate an estimated 50 million visitors annually (2018),4 businesses that depend on travelers are already experiencing fewer reservations and numerous visitor cancellations, reducing revenue and income for those businesses. And finally, in our manufacturing industries, which support more than 364,000 payroll employees (2019), many businesses are unable to get needed parts from overseas suppliers, making it difficult to keep some manufacturing lines running and meet the needs of their wholesale and retail clients, which will be further exacerbated and compounded by the upstream (i.e. supplier) and downstream (i.e. customers) losses and broken linkages subsidizing and benefiting these businesses.

In light of current events and the near-inevitable future risks to small business solvency, the LAEDC firmly believes that federal emergency assistance must be made available to mitigate the above mentioned outcomes in the form of emergency Small Business Administration zero-interest loans that are made available to small businesses. For these reasons, the LAEDC strongly supports H.R.6040.

Sincerely,
Stephen Cheung
Executive Vice President
Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC)

1 Public Law 85-536, as amended
2 Ibid., see e.g., §2(a)
3 The Wall Street Journal, Jennifer Smith and Costas Paris, dated: March 3, 2020

California IBank has low-interest and state-guaranteed business loans and microloans for small business borrowers who have been impacted by regional disasters and who need term loans or lines of credit for working capital.

The California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) for Small Business encourages banks and other financial institutions to make loans to small businesses that have difficulty obtaining financing. If you own a small business and need a loan for start-up, expansion or working capital, you may eligible for this program. CalCAP is a loan loss reserve program which may provide up to 100% coverage on losses as a result of certain loan defaults. Loans are available up to $5 million.

JFLA Free Loan is here to help you or someone you know with a no fee and interest-free loan of up to $10,000 to cover: Small business losses; Lost wages because you can’t go in to work; Child care costs when schools are closed; Funds lost due to cancelled travel plans and more. To apply visit jfla.org and fill out a pre-loan application.

The SBA Paycheck Protection Program will help you keep employees on the payroll! SBA will forgive the portion of the loans used for payroll, rent, utilities. APPLICATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE. LAEDC urges you to apply quickly.
Small businesses are eligible if program size standards (under 500 employees) are met. SBA will forgive the portion of the loans used for payroll, rent, utilities, etc., if all employees are kept on payroll for eight weeks.

PPP loan forgiveness requirements: Notice – For businesses now receiving their SBA PPP funding, please be mindful that there are 8 weeks to comply to receive the full amount of loan forgiveness.  Guidance is that the loan amounts will be forgiven as long as- 1) You bring back your employees within 8 weeks (not 2 1/2 months), 2) The loan proceeds are used to cover payroll costs (75% of payroll – check payroll amount required), and most mortgage interest, rent, and utility costs over the 8 week period after the loan is made; and 3) Employee and compensation levels are maintained. Refer to full guidance here:  https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/PPP–Fact-Sheet.pdf
Top-line overview of the program
Information for borrowers
To visit the SBA website: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/paycheck-protection-program-ppp

List of CA Lenders

Updates:

• PPP FAQs updated 5/13/2020 view: here
  
• New interim final rule updated 5/13/2020 relating to loan increases view: here
• View the PPP second round of approvals here

Extended Deadline – August 8th

Low-interest federal disaster loans are available to California businesses and residents affected by the recent civil unrest beginning May 26, 2020.

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

The disaster declaration makes SBA assistance available in Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the SBA will establish a virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Center to answer questions about disaster loans offered by the SBA, explain the application process, and help each individual complete their electronic loan application.

Applicants may also apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/.  Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected]gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

“The $3 million dollar Recovery Fund, established as a joint effort by the County of Los Angeles, who have contributed $2 million dollars, and the City of Los Angeles, who have contributed $1 million dollars, as well as additional support from philanthropic partners, aims to assist small businesses, nonprofits, and microentrepreneurs that have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, providing $5,000 grants to microentrepreneurs, and $15,000 grants to non-profits and small businesses. To ensure equitable access to capital across various demographics throughout the region, grants will be distributed through an equitable lottery system.”

Read the full media release

 Next Round: TBA

For more information, please visit: https://www.lacovidfund.org/

This fund, created by The Soze Foundation, TaskForce and Invisible Hand, supports artists + activists whose work has been impacted by COVID-19. They have received 6,148 applications and have distributed $241,250 in grants to 817 artists + activists.

Who is eligible to apply?

Anyone who identifies as an artist or activist can apply, who is above the age of 16.

How much is the grant?

The applicants who are selected receive an unrestricted grant of $250-$750.

How much money has been dispersed and to how many artists + activists?

As of April 1, The Fund has distributed $90,000 to 274 artists + activists. 

For more information, please visit: https://www.wearesoze.com/relief-fund

CCF endeavors to be the destination foundation for donors and nonprofits that are passionately committed to creating systemic change in Los Angeles County. They aim to address the root causes of L.A.’s most pressing issues by supporting the nonprofit organizations on the front lines whose innovation and dedication continue to make this a better place for all of us.

Their goal is to make the process simple so that potential grantees can easily explore opportunities, review instructions, monitor deadlines and access tools and other non-grant support – including vital convening support for nonprofits across Los Angeles through the Joan Palevsky Center for the Future of Los Angeles.

CCF’s open grants portal connects organizations to current funding opportunities in all of our priority areas, providing specific information on eligibility, deadlines and application requirements. For general eligibility questions, see: How to Apply.

For more information, please visit: https://www.calfund.org/nonprofits/

Let’s all work together to keep our California communities healthy.

“The state is mobilizing at every level to proactively and aggressively protect the health and well-being of Californians, but we cannot fight this outbreak alone. We need the participation and support of every Californian. That is why we’re providing recent, relevant and reliable information. Californians need to know how critical it is to stay home, learn how to stay healthy and where they can get help. These actions are critical and there is no doubt our collective efforts save lives.

Help get the word out. Please share videos and social media messages about state and local resources available to support the health, safety and well-being of all Californians. We are all in this together.” Source: CA.gov

For more information, please visit: https://covid19.ca.gov/

The Center for Nonprofit Management Resource Center has compiled a list of trusted resources to aid nonprofits who have been negatively impacted due to COVID-19.

CNM will continue to update this page with opportunities and information that emerge regarding government funding, employee assistance, pooled funding through local funder collaboratives, and strategies for leading your organization over the next several months.

For more details, please visit: https://www.cnmsocal.org/covid19#other-nonprofit-resource-centers

The fund is focused on providing:

• Support for an increasing volume of services being provided to clients as a result of the pandemic (e.g., meals for homebound seniors; meals or other supplies for those who are sheltering in place due to age or medical conditions; medical or other necessary supplies for those servicing increasing volumes of sick people, etc.)
• Support for the unexpected expenses associated with fulfilling these services (e.g., the hiring of additional workers or drivers; the increased purchasing of meal ingredients or necessary medical supplies); and/or
• Support to help sustain basic services to people and families impacted by COVID-19 amid the pandemic-related cancellation of major fundraisers that would have otherwise sustained operations.

Guidelines

In order to qualify, organizations must:

• Have a charitable status under section 501(c)(3) and be in good standing with the IRS
• Be currently providing critical services to individuals and families significantly affected by COVID-19; and
• Be providing health, education, welfare or social services in response to COVID-19 in the areas of the U.S. where Sempra Energy and its family of companies operate, including California, Texas and Louisiana.

Exclusions

The Sempra Energy Foundation Nonprofit Hardship Fund will not provide funding to:

• Individuals
• Private foundations, endowment funds or for-profit organizations;
• Large community foundations, nonprofit organizations or institutions that have established their own COVID-19 related response funds;
• Groups that practice discrimination based on age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, physical or mental disabilities, race, color, religion, national origin, or ancestry;
• Sectarian or denominational religious groups, except for programs that are broadly promoted, available to anyone and free from religious orientation;
• Political parties, candidates or partisan groups; or
• Groups that don’t meet the giving policies and guidelines of Sempra Energy or the Sempra Energy Foundation.

For more details, please visit: https://www.sempraenergyfoundation.org/pages/areas-of-giving/health-and-safety.shtml

Businesses may be eligible for emergency loans of up to $10,000 from the City of Carson.

Requirements:

• For-profit businesses and non-profit organizations are eligible
• Business must be based in Carson, CA
• Employ 2-50 employees
• Demonstrate a 25% drop in revenue since January 1, 2020

For more details, please visitt: carson.cceda.com 

Philanthropy California is an alliance of Northern California, Southern California, and San Diego Grantmakers.

Philanthropy California’s disaster resilience team is coordinating with state agencies and partners to respond to the threat and potential negative impacts caused by COVID-19.

They will be vetting funds, providing recommendations, and supporting our community with safety tips.

For more details, please visit: https://www.cnmsocal.org/covid19#other-nonprofit-resource-centers

The Cares Act provides significant relief for nonprofit (not-for-profit) organizations. Read how to apply for relief funds at the website of Independent Sector, the national membership organization that brings together the charitable community.

https://independentsector.org/resource/caresact/

additional link:

https://www.venable.com/insights/publications/2020/03/cares-act-provides-financial-relief-for-nonprofit

EDD Mass Hiring Effort for 4,500 New Staff:

• Will be trained in call center operations, processing UI claims, analyzing documents from claimants and employers to make wage determination benefits
• Includes teleworking and in-office options
• Applicants who possess bilingual skills including Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Mandarin are encouraged to apply.

Application packages may be submitted electronically through: CalCareers.ca.gov

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Download Flyer (Spanish Version)

The City of Long Beach has announced three state grants totaling almost $2 million that will help Pacific Gateway–a federally designated workforce development area administered by the City of Long Beach– to expand assistance to residents whose employment has been impacted by COVID-19.

Read the full press release here (6/26/20)

Let’s all work together to keep our California communities healthy.

“The state is mobilizing at every level to proactively and aggressively protect the health and well-being of Californians, but we cannot fight this outbreak alone. We need the participation and support of every Californian. That is why we’re providing recent, relevant and reliable information. Californians need to know how critical it is to stay home, learn how to stay healthy and where they can get help. These actions are critical and there is no doubt our collective efforts save lives.

Help get the word out. Please share videos and social media messages about state and local resources available to support the health, safety and well-being of all Californians. We are all in this together.” Source: CA.gov

For more information, please visit: https://covid19.ca.gov/

StayHousedLA.org is a website connecting tenants with useful information about their rights, workshops for residents who need legal assistance, and other support. Stay Housed L.A. County is a partnership between the County of Los Angeles, legal aid groups and community-based organizations to provide emergency support to tenants in need.

Virtual Know Your Rights workshops will also be offered by participating community organizations to provide L.A. County residents with critical information about permanent and emergency tenant protections that can help tenants facing eviction or other challenges related to their rental housing. Community organizations will provide targeted ongoing support to help tenants with case management support.

For more details, please visit: https://www.stayhousedla.org/

Tenants who wish to apply for this financial aid must meet the following requirements:

• Have an income of less than $63,100 for a single person and up to $92,950.00 for a family of four.
• Demonstrate financial hardship due to COVID-19, such as job loss, reduced work hours, or reduced wages.

Financial assistance is available for a maximum of $1,000 per month for up to three months and is based on actual need for monthly rent and does not have to be repaid.

To read the full article, please visit: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/city-of-carson-offers-financial-assistance-to-struggling-renters/ar-BB18cbFZ?ocid=hplocalnews

LA Represents is an unprecedented legal assistance initiative to help thousands of Angelenos who are facing extreme hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I need a lawyer to help me with:

My landlord

My safety

My employment

My debt

Other legal questions

Changing lives, transforming communities

Neighborhood Legal Services is a steadfast advocate for individuals, families and communities throughout Los Angeles County. Through a combination of individual representation, high impact litigation and public policy advocacy, NLSLA combats the immediate and long-lasting effects of poverty and expands access to health, opportunity, and justice in Los Angeles’ diverse neighborhoods.

Apply for Legal Services Here

For more information, please visit: https://www.nlsla.org/covid-19-legal-changes/

The Actors Fund
With a focus on support and education, the Entertainment Assistance program services include: One-on-one counseling and resources and emergency financial assistance for basic living expenses such as rent or medical expenses. For more details, please visit: https://actorsfund.org/

Carnegie Fund for Authors
This fund assists American authors who have published at least one full length work. For more details, please visit: https://www.carnegiefundforauthors.org/

Professional Beauty Association
This fund will assist licensed beauty professionals who are unable to work due to COVID19. For details, please visit: https://www.probeauty.org/

Virtue
This fund provides financial assistance to stylists and salon workers in the Virtue community.
For more details, please visit: https://www.virtuelabs.com/en/virtue-salon-relief-fund

1. L.A. Controller – Ron Galperine COVID-19 Dashboard: 

• Updated daily
• Map of stimulus checks
• Food bank resources for food insecurity: by city, county, state 
• Microloan tracker map of small businesses who received resources
• LGBTQ youth resource map
•  Data stories and maps: https://lacontroller.org/data-stories-and-maps/

                                                            1.      Job Losses

                                                           2.      Free tax prep

                                                           3.      Homeless Housing

                                                           4.      Latinx Heritage

                                                           5.        Youth Programs

                                                           6.      Property Panel Map – a guide to publicly-owned properties in the City of LA

For details, please visit: https://lacontroller.org/covid19resourcehub/

As part of the CARES Act, the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program offers aid to unemployed Californians who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular state UI benefits who are out of business or services are significantly reduced as a direct result of the pandemic. The provisions of the program include:

– Up to 39 weeks of benefits starting with weeks of unemployment beginning February 2, 2020, through the week ending December 26, 2020, depending on when you became directly impacted by the pandemic.

– A new 13-week federal extension for those who run out of their regular state-provided UI benefits (maximum 26 weeks). File a PUA claim and you may be converted to the federal extension once it is available.

For more details, please visit: https://edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/pandemic-unemployment-assistance.htm

In California, there is a huge need for more Spanish-speaking healthcare workers to care for our diverse population. But to become a Medical Assistant, aspiring caregivers need to be able to communicate clearly and accurately with co-workers and patients in English. This course is designed to improve the English language skills of Spanish speakers who:

• can communicate for simple tasks but may make mistakes or struggle to maintain a conversation AND/OR
• those who can hold a conversation about familiar topics but don’t have the vocabulary appropriate for a healthcare setting.

This course will provide learners with the relevant English vocabulary and practice needed to be successful in future healthcare programs and their career. After completing the course, students may be eligible for the Jump Start for Medical Assistant courses and the Medical Assistant Program.

Benefits:

• Personalized course content offers up-to-date, real-world lessons.
• Study whenever you can with short lessons, or on-the-go with the mobile app.
• Improve your speaking with a teacher and learners from around the world.
• Frequent assessments mean your content is suited specifically for your level.
• A personalized learning experience tailored to your interests and personal goals.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the roles and responsibilities of allied healthcare workers such as Medical Assistants.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the healthcare field by watching healthcare professionals in a range of daily tasks and responsibilities.
• Understand the day-in-the-life of a healthcare worker by listening to conversations between workers and patients.
• Enhance your English fluency.

Topics Include:

• Introduction to Allied Health Care
• Scheduling and Billing
• Medical History
• Basic Nursing Skills
• Examination Procedures
• Medical Charts
• Diagnosis and Treatments
• Laboratory Procedures
• Radiology
• Social Work and Mental Health
• Legal and Ethical Standards
• Safety and Infection Control

For more details, please visit: https://futurohealth.org/allied-health-programs/english-readiness-english/

For more information about business and worker resources in Long Beach, visit the following resource pages listed below.

• Physical Distancing Protocol (Reopening Checklist) (Spanish) (Tagalog) – All essential businesses, non-essential retail, golf courses and tennis centers shall prepare and post a Physical Distancing Protocol (Reopening Checklist) at each facility in the city frequented by the public or employees.
• Overview of COVID-19 Business and Worker Resources
• Business Resources
• Worker Resources
• Employer Resources
• Damaged Property Resources
• Real Estate Development Resources
• Economic Relief Package
• Safer at Home Health Order
• City News and Press Releases

For more details, please visit: http://www.longbeach.gov/economicdevelopment/covid-19-business-support/

HIRE L.A.’s Youth will help you prepare for a summer or year round job. HIRE L.A. will help you write your resume, practice interviews, and learn how to manage the money you will be earning.

For more information, please visit: https://hirelayouth.com/

If you are an undocumented adult living in California who is experiencing hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic and is not eligible for other forms of assistance (such as the CARES Act stimulus payment or the pandemic unemployment benefits), you may qualify for financial assistance from the State of California’s Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants (DRAI) Project. This assistance is being distributed by immigrant- serving nonprofit organizations selected by the CA Department of Social Services.

Download the flyer

LAEDC has received the following information about the CARES Act relief for Americans in the federal package. Here are the details:

Coronavirus: Q&A related to individuals

CASH PAYMENTS TO AMERICANS

Who qualifies to receive a check and how much will an individual receive?

Anyone who filed a tax return this year or last year. Individuals receive $1,200, married couples receive $2,400, and child dependents (under 17) receive $500.

What are qualified income levels based off of?

There is no qualified income threshold or requirement to receive the rebate. However, the rebate phases out at a 5 percent rate above adjusted gross incomes of $75,000 for single filers, $112,500 for heads of household, and $150,000 for joint filers.

Can those collecting Social Security or disability receive a check?

Yes, if they filed a tax return this year or last year, or received a form SSA-1099. Otherwise, they need to file a tax return.

How does an individual claim their check?

They do not need to claim their checks (unless they have not either filed a tax return this year or last year) — IRS will send out rebates automatically to their direct deposit or to the address provided on the last tax return submitted.

How long will it take for this check to be delivered?

Rebates sent via direct deposit will take a few weeks. Rebates sent via checks may take a few months.

Will I be taxed on this check?

No, rebates are not taxable.

Will I be eligible if I haven’t finished filing my 2018 taxes?

You need to have filed either a 2018 tax return or a 2019 tax return. If you have not filed either, you will not be eligible. You can file a 2019 tax return now to claim the rebate.

Will I be eligible if I have a lien against me, but I am in non-collect status?

Yes. Rebates will not be subject to garnishment, except if back child support is owed.

I withdrew my retirement in 2018- so my income that year was inflated. Is there any waiver for one time sources of income?

In this case, the taxpayer should file a 2019 tax return.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

How much can I get from Unemployment Insurance?

The exact amount you can receive through Unemployment depends on your state and your previous earnings. Between now and July 31, an additional $600 will be added to every unemployment compensation check, so no one will receive less than $600 per week.

What if I’m not eligible for traditional Unemployment Insurance?

The CARES Act temporarily expands unemployment insurance to cover individuals who are not traditionally covered, including the self-employed, gig-workers, independent contractors, and workers with irregular work history. It also expands the list of allowable criteria for claiming unemployment compensation to include many reasons related to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Contact the unemployment office in the state where you worked to determine your eligibility.

What if I’ve been out of work because of COVID-19 for several weeks already?

If you exhaust the weeks of unemployment compensation available to you through your state’s laws, you will be eligible for an additional 13 weeks of benefits. These benefits will be federally-funded, but you will still receive them through your state.

How long will the expanded benefits be in place?

Expanded eligibility for unemployment insurance will be in effect until December 31, 2020. A $600 additional benefit will be added to unemployment compensation received for weeks between when the bill is enacted and July 31, 2020.

Is there a waiting period?

The CARES Act includes incentives for states to waive the waiting week between applying for unemployment compensation and receiving it. Contact the unemployment office in the state where you worked to determine whether there will be a waiting week.

How do I file for unemployment insurance?

You can apply for unemployment compensation through the unemployment office in the state where you worked. In most states, you can apply online.

EMERGENCY LEAVE

Who is a covered employer?

In general, a private employer with fewer than 500 employees is a “covered employer” for both the paid sick leave and paid family leave requirements. However, the Secretary of Labor has additional authority to exempt employers with fewer than 50 employees from the requirement to provide leave for caring for children due to closures of schools or child care, both in the paid sick leave and paid family leave context. Additionally, employers of Health Care Providers or Emergency Responders have authority to unilaterally exclude their employees from all of the paid sick leave and paid family leave requirements. Finally, while most public employers with 1 or more employees are covered by the paid sick leave requirements and most public employers with fewer than 500 employees are covered by the paid family leave requirements, most federal employers are excluded from the paid family leave requirements–and OMB has the authority to exclude any federal employers from both the paid sick leave and paid family leave requirements.

Who is a covered employee?

To be a “covered employee,” an individual must first be working for a “covered employer” explained above. In general, an individual who is employed by a covered employer is covered by both the paid sick leave and paid family leave; the definition of “employee” is based in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and is broad and intended to capture most people. However, paid family leave has an additional requirement that an individual has been employed by the employer for at least 30 days to qualify; if an individual was laid off by their employer after March 1, 2020, had worked for that employer for 30 of the 60 calendar days before being laid-off, and is re-hired by the employer, then that employee qualifies as a covered employee even though upon their rehire they have not been working for 30 days for the employer. Most federal employees are excluded from the paid family leave, and OMB has the authority to exclude any federal employees from both the paid sick leave and paid family leave.

How much paid sick leave are employees eligible to take?

For paid sick leave, employees are eligible to take up to 80 hours (two weeks) of paid time, depending on the employee’s regular schedule, at 100% of the employee’s regular rate of pay (up to $511 per day) due to quarantine/isolation order, health-care provider guidance to self-quarantine, or seeking diagnosis for symptoms of COVID-19; the pay is limited to 2/3 of the employee’s regular rate of pay (up to $200 per day) for caring for someone who is isolated/quarantined and for taking care of a child due to a closure of school or child care.

How much paid family leave are employees eligible to take?

For paid family leave, employees are eligible to take up to 10 additional weeks of paid time at 2/3 of the employee’s regular rate of pay (up to $200 per day) solely to take care of a minor child due to a closure of school or child care or the unavailability of a child care provider.

What are the qualifying reasons for leave?

For paid sick leave:

Unable to work or telework due to

– The employee is covered by a quarantine or isolation order by a federal, state, or local authority;

– The employee has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns over COVID-19;

– The employee is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and is seeking diagnosis;

– The employee is caring for an individual who is covered by a quarantine or isolation order or who has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine;

– The employee is caring for a son or daughter if, due to COVID-19, the school or place of care is closed or if the child care provider is unavailable; or

– The employee is experiencing a “substantially similar condition” as specified by HHS and DOL.

For paid family leave:

The employee is unable to work or telework due to needing to care for a son or daughter under 18 years of age because, due to COVID-19, the child’s school or place of care is closed or the child’s child care provider is unavailable

Are there documentation requirements an employee must provide to prove they are caring for an individual or child whose school or place of care is closed?

If the need for paid family leave is foreseeable, an employee must provide the employer with notice as soon as practicable; and an employer may require reasonable notice procedures to receive paid sick leave. However, while DOL may clarify this through guidelines or regulation, we do not read the Act to allow an employer to require any documentation to prove the employee is caring for an individual or child.

When do these provisions go into effect?

According to DOL, they will go into effect on April 1 and will apply to leave taken between April 1 and December 31, 2020.

CHANGES TO TAX FILING

What has changed for income tax filing this year?

The tax filing due date has been extended to July 15. Tax returns and any income taxes owed will not be due until July 15.

Are there any changes to tax filing for businesses?

The income tax return due date for calendar year corporations has also been extended to July 15. Tax returns and any income taxes owed will not be due until July 15. Employers can defer paying the employer portion of certain payroll taxes through the end of 2020, with all 2020 deferred amounts due in two equal installments, one at the end of 2021, the other at the end of 2022. Deferral is not provided to employers that avail themselves of SBA 7(a) loans designated for payroll.

CHILD CARE

I am a frontline worker in need of child care. Does this bill help me?

Yes. States can use their funding through the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to provide child care assistance to health care sector employees, emergency responders, sanitation workers, and other workers that are deemed essential during the COVID-19 response by public officials.

UTILITY SHUTOFFS

Are there protections to prevent people from being shut off of their power, gas, and water utilities?

Utility service is regulated by the states rather than the federal government. Many states have ordered their utilities not to terminate service to customers during the crisis.

What resources are available to states and utilities to offset costs of power, water and fuel service that must remain online?

For eligible households, $900 million is included for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help low income households with heating and cooling in homes, weatherization, and energy-related low-cost home repairs or replacements. Under the Small Business Loans provided in the bill, utility costs (electricity, water, gas, trash, and internet services) are eligible costs for which loans can be provided. An additional $600 million is included for Community Services Block Grants to states, tribes and territories, which can be used to cover utility costs.

HOUSING

Is there any relief for upcoming rent, mortgage, and utility payments?

Any homeowner with an FHA, VA, USDA, 184/184A mortgage, or a mortgage backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, who is experiencing financial hardship is eligible for up to 6 months’ forbearance on their mortgage payments, with a possible extension for another 6 months. At the end of the forbearance, borrowers can work within each agency’s existing programs to help them get back on track with payments, but they will have to pay missed payments at some point during the loan, so if borrowers can pay they should continue to do so.

Renters who have trouble paying rent also have protections under the bill if they live in a property that has a federal subsidy or federally backed loan. Owners of these properties cannot file evictions or charge fees for nonpayment of rent for 120 days following enactment of the bill, and cannot issue a renter a notice to leave the property before 150 days after enactment. After this period renters will be responsible for making payments and getting back on track, so they should continue to make payments if they’re financially able to do so. Renters who receive housing subsidies such as public housing or Section 8 who have had their incomes fall should recertify their incomes with their public housing agency or property owner because it may lower the rent they owe.

Will homeowners be foreclosed on if they can’t make their loan payments?

The bill includes a 60-day foreclosure moratorium starting on March 18, 2020, for all federally-backed mortgage loans. Borrowers with FHA, VA, USDA, or 184/184A loans, or loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, will not see foreclosure actions and cannot be removed from their homes due to foreclosure during that time.

Will multifamily property owners be foreclosed on if they can’t make loan payments?

The bill provides owners of multifamily properties with federally backed loans having a financial hardship up to 90 days of forbearance on their loan payments. Property owners would have to request the forbearance and document their hardship in order to qualify, in 30-day increments. During a forbearance period, the property owner may not evict or initiate the eviction of a tenant for nonpayment of rent and may not charge the tenant any fees or penalties for nonpayment of rent. This protection applies to loans issued or backed by federal agencies (including FHA and USDA) or Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

Who does the rental eviction moratorium apply to?

This provision applies to all renters who live in properties that receive a federal subsidy, such as public housing, Section 8 rental assistance vouchers or subsidies, USDA rental housing assistance, or Low Income Housing Tax Credits. It also covers any renters in properties where the owner has a federally backed mortgage loan, which includes loans backed by the FHA, USDA, and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This includes any size of property, from single family houses to multifamily apartment buildings.

BANKING

I have a loan and I am worried that I won’t be able to make my monthly payments. What can I do?

Contact your lender directly. The CARES Act allows banks and credit unions more flexibility to work with borrowers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Does bill provide any relief for consumers who can’t pay their bills?

This bill does not. This section of the bill only provides instruction on how lenders or creditors should report consumers who have received a forbearance or some other accommodation to help them make payments.

Individuals having problems paying their bills should contact their lenders directly. The CARES Act allows banks and credit unions more flexibility to work with borrowers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We will continue to work to enact credit reporting relief for borrowers who are struggling to make their payments during this crisis.

Who can use the Fed lending facilities?

The Federal Reserve will design the facilities. According to government officials, we expect there to be potentially over a dozen different facilities. The legislation specifically indicates that there should be a facility for states, municipalities, and tribes, as well as a facility for medium-sized business that are not eligible for the SBA program. It will also be critical for the Fed to consider other needs, such as protecting homeowners and renters.

BANKRUPTCY

My small business is in financial trouble and I’m considering filing for bankruptcy — how does this bill help?

This bill allows more small businesses to reorganize under Chapter 11 using procedures that are less expensive and that allow small business owners to retain control of their operations through the bankruptcy reorganization process. Under this bill, small businesses with up to $7.5 million in debt can take advantage of these streamlined Chapter 11 procedures. This new relief will be available for one-year.

I have been in Chapter 13 bankruptcy for 3 years. I recently lost my job and I can’t afford my plan payments right now. I’m worried that I won’t be able to complete the Chapter 13 process — does this bill help me?

Yes. This bill allows individuals and families currently in Chapter 13 who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic to request a modification of their Chapter 13 plans, including by extending their payments for up to 7 years. This new relief will be available for one-year.

If I receive a stimulus check from the federal government, will it impact my ability to file for bankruptcy?

No. Under this bill, stimulus checks from the federal government cannot be used to determine whether you are eligible for filing bankruptcy. And, if you file for Chapter 13 bankruptcy, you will not have to turn your stimulus check over to your creditors. This new relief will be available for one-year.

REAL ID

I do not have a Real ID-compliant identification but I am concerned about going to a crowded DMV in the coming months before the October 1, 2020 deadline — what should I do?

There is no need to visit a DMV just to obtain a REAL ID by October 1, 2020 because the deadline will be extended for one year, until October 1, 2021.

PRISON RELATED

I have an elderly or ill family member in prison. Is there any opportunity for early release?

Yes. This bill gives the Director of the Bureau of Prisons expanded authority to release people who are serving the last year of their sentence to home confinement.

I am not being allowed to visit my family member in prison because of the coronavirus. Is there an alternative to in-person visits?

This bill instructs the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to do more to set up video visitation for inmates, free of charge.

I have a family member involved in the federal justice system, what is going to happen to their case?

This bill allows courts to hold some hearings by video, but only if the defendant agrees.

AMERICORPS

I’m an AmeriCorps member and I’m unable to complete my term of service as a result of COVID-19. What happens to my education award?

Many AmeriCorps members will have difficultly completing the required number of volunteer hours due to current limitations on volunteer opportunities. The CARES Act allows the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to have flexibility to waive the required number of volunteer hours so that members may still receive a full Segal Education Award even if their service was interrupted as a result of COVID-19. Additionally, the CARES Act increases the upper age limit for AmeriCorps members and expands the maximum term of service so that AmeriCorps members whose service was impacted by COVID-19 are able to re-enroll once the emergency is over.

—end—

There are several programs aimed at helping workers facing financial hardships due to COVID-19. The following document features crucial information on how to access those programs.

To view the document, please click: here

In the Los Angeles region, numerous sectors are hiring right now.

First, visit a new webpage that City of Los Angeles has created — the LA Jobs Portal, and use the new tools and search functions on that page to seek employment opportunities: https://lajobportal.com/

In addition, the LA County America’s Job Centers provide a keyword and zipcode searchable listing of job openings, which can also be used by employers to post jobs: https://caljobs.lacounty.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx

Looking at key trends in hiring in the LA region — Grocers, home delivery services, cleaning companies, medical supply, medical manufacturing and life science testing labs, work-from-home technology companies, and other types of business are experiencing a surge in demand and many are seeking more staff. Amazon is one of the more publicized companies hiring presently.

Here are a few to consider:

There are dozens of food delivery platforms that enlist freelancers to deliver restaurant meals and groceries. Among the better meal delivery options: Caviar, GrubHub and DoorDash. All three have initiated contactless delivery to keep both workers and customers safe.

Delivery drivers for Amazon Flex shuttle Amazon packages from warehouses to consumer doorsteps.

Grocery shopping and alcohol delivery services, such as Shipt, Instacart and Saucey may be worth exploring. Grocery stores also need help stocking shelves, including companies such as Costco and Trader Joe’s

Those who want to provide child care can utilize Trusted, Urban Sitter, Care and Bambino , services which can help connect you with these opportunities.

Jobs related to the sanitation trend can be found by signing on with Managed by Q, Tidy, Fairy or any number of other cleaning options. You can also advertise your availability to clean houses or offices on a free neighborhood website, such as Nextdoor. There are also many cleaning companies that are in need of staff, as requests for service have increased.

The Census Bureau is hiring 500,000 Americans to help complete questionnaires for the 2020 census.

Walmart, the nation’s largest employer, said it was looking to hire 150,000 additional employees in its stores and warehouses through the end of May. That represents a roughly 10 percent increase in its current work force.

Lineage Logistics, the largest refrigerated warehousing company in the country, is hiring 2,000 additional workers to meet a roughly 30 percent jump in demand in recent weeks.

Domino’s, the pizza delivery chain, is hiring thousands of workers, including cooks, managers and drivers.

Walgreens said it was hiring for about 9,500 existing full- and part-time roles in stores across the United States, including pharmacy technicians.

Here are articles in New York Times and Los Angles Times on the subject of jobs, business and economic sectors that are hiring.

Please tell you employer about new sources of money to keep employees (like you) on the payroll! If your company or nonprofit seems deeply affected, and layoffs seem possible, don’t wait. Make sure your executive team knows about these great tools.

Payroll Protection from the US Small Business Administration (SBA) is a great new tool! Loans used for payroll will be forgiven, within certain criteria.

The SBA Paycheck Protection Program application just went live. Small businesses are eligible if program size standards (under 500 employees) are met. SBA will forgive the portion of the loans used for payroll, rent, utilities, etc., if all employees are kept on payroll for eight weeks. This gives your employer a great way to keep the jobs you and your colleagues depend on.

Top-line overview of the program
Application for borrowers
Information for borrowers
To visit the SBA website: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/paycheck-protection-program-ppp

__________________________

The California Employment Development Department (EDD) has a program called Partial claims, which helps employees when employers experience a lack of work. A partial Unemployment Insurance claim can be used for any claimant who works less than their normal full-time hours, and whose employers want to keep them. In addition, let your boss know that employers can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) “Work Sharing Program” if reduced production, services, or other conditions cause them to seek an alternative to layoffs.

• The Work Sharing Program helps employees whose hours and wages have been reduced.
• For more details on the programs listed in the bullets above: https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm
• In addition, be aware that LAEDC is deeply committed to helping businesses avoid layoffs, with a team of experienced professionals implementing LAEDC’s award-winning Layoff Aversion Program. If you believe your employer may be preparing for a significant layoff, email LAEDC asap: [email protected]

USDA and its Federal partners have programs that can be used to provide immediate and long-term assistance to rural communities negatively impacted by COVID-19. These programs can support recovery efforts for rural residents, businesses and communities through:

• technical, training, and management assistance
• financial assistance
• state and local assistance

For more details, please visit: https://www.rd.usda.gov/sites/default/files/USDA_COVID-19_Fed_Rural_Resource_Guide.pdf

Pacific Gateway Workforce Development board partners with home care provider to create a labor market platform for qualified workers to provide childcare under COVID-19 protocols

The program is currently matching childcare professionals who have recently been furloughed, with families and essential personnel who need childcare, including low-income families and those in public safety and healthcare.

With schools, parks and other children-serving facilities closed, and private organizations temporarily laying off childcare workers, a surplus of certified individuals are available to help families with childcare. These professional caregivers include highly qualified staff from the City of Long Beach’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, the Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach and YMCA of Greater Long Beach who have undergone background checks will have opportunities to continue working by providing in-home supervision of daily activities for school-aged children.

Now these workers are available via a new system, CalFLEXI, to connect these workers with families needing childcare.

The program is possible through an award-winning technology platform from Long Beach’s workforce board, Pacific Gateway, which is uniquely positioned to efficiently deploy workers that have flexible or irregular schedules. With strict adherence to health guidelines, all workers will be screened for health safety in addition to standard background clearance.

Sign up as a family or business needing childcare: www.homechildcare.org

Qualified childcare workers may immediately begin the registration process by calling 562-570-3702 or visiting: pacific-gateway.org/longbeachworks.

All pre-screened and qualified workers who can provide in-home childcare, including LBUSD’s VIP volunteers, are encouraged to register.

The program will support needs of workers and families through the south Los Angeles County region. Inquire for more details.

Mayor of Long Beach announcement: http://www.longbeach.gov/press-releases/pacific-gateway-to-launch-new-work-long-beach-program/

Sign up as a family or business needing childcare: www.homechildcare.org

Official project website: www.CalFLEXI.org

U.S. Department of Labor | March 24, 2020

Today, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) announced its first round of published guidance to provide information to employees and employers about how each will be able to take advantage of the protections and relief offered by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) when it takes effect on April 1, 2020.

FFCRA will help the United States combat and defeat COVID-19 by giving all American businesses with fewer than 500 employees funds to provide employees with paid leave, either for the employee’s own health needs or to care for family members. The legislation will ensure that workers are not forced to choose between their paychecks and the public health measures needed to combat the virus while at the same time reimbursing businesses.

The guidance — provided in a Fact Sheet for Employees, a Fact Sheet for Employers and a Questions and Answers document — addresses critical questions, such as how an employer must count the number of their employees to determine coverage; how small businesses can obtain an exemption; how to count hours for part-time employees; and how to calculate the wages employees are entitled to under this law.

“Providing information to the American workforce is a top priority for the Wage and Hour Division,” said Administrator Cheryl Stanton. “With so many workers and so many employers struggling to find their way in these trying conditions, providing guidance on a rolling basis will allow workers and businesses to prepare for the law to go into effect on April 1, 2020. We remain committed, and are working around the clock to provide the information and tools for employees and employers alike.”

The guidance announced today is just the first round of information and compliance assistance to come from WHD. A workplace poster required for most employers will be published later this week, along with additional fact sheets and more Q&A.

WHD provides additional information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to COVID-19, and its effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act and job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic.

For more information about the laws enforced by the WHD, call 866-4US-WAGE, or visit https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd.

For further information about COVID-19, please visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

WHD’s mission is to promote and achieve compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of the nation’s workforce. WHD enforces federal minimum wage, overtime pay, record keeping and child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. WHD also enforces the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, the Employee Polygraph Protection Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, wage garnishment provisions of the Consumer Credit Protection Act and a number of employment standards and worker protections as provided in several immigration related statutes. Additionally, WHD administers and enforces the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis Bacon Act and the Service Contract Act and other statutes applicable to federal contracts for construction and for the provision of goods and services.

The mission of the U.S. Department of Labor is to foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

# # #

The LAEDC salutes our frontline healthcare workers who continue to demonstrate their courageous and selfless commitment to the health and well-being of all of us who share this region. It takes special people to dedicate their lives to the service of others. To continue to do so in the face of the personal health risks presented by the novel coronavirus brings the true heroism of our healthcare workers into very clear focus at times like this.

In addition, the work of hundreds of thousands of our neighbors has been deemed essential by our government and as such they are still on the job at their places of employment or out in our communities keeping significant sectors of our economy and society moving forward for all of our public benefit. These are the folks protecting our communities, providing our food and medicines by staffing and supplying our grocery stores and pharmacies and takeout restaurants, providing energy to our homes, public transportation so that those of us who still have to get around can do so, ensuring we remain connected and informed through radio, television, print media and the Internet, providing the financial services necessary to keep our economy going, manufacturing the essential products we all need, and delivering the essential public health, safety and service functions of our federal, state and local governments and our nonprofit partners.

The LAEDC applauds the tireless dedication of all these community heroes to our collective well-being. You inspire us and raise our confidence that recovery is just around the corner.

Bill Allen, CEO of LAEDC

Here are 13 important steps to take if you lose your job due to the current COVID-19 pandemic:

1. Apply for unemployment benefits.
2. If you have emergency savings, now’s the time to tap into it.
3. Look over your monthly expenses and find ways to cut back.
4. If you have a mortgage, inform your lender and servicer.
5. If you have student loans, suspend your payments.
6. Get in touch with your bank.
7. Stay away from payday loans.
8. Communicate with your utility and service providers.
9. You can use your retirement accounts — but avoid it if possible.
10. Take advantage of community programs.
11. Look at job postings.
12. Be flexible about new opportunities.
13. Pay attention to the news.

For details on all of these steps, please visit: https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/smart-money/what-to-do-if-lost-job-coronavirus/

• The Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) wants to keep workers, employers, co-workers, and families safe. What employees are entitled to may be confusing. The LWDA is trying to make it easier and spread awareness through a centralized source of information with regards to topics such as: paid sick leave, disability and unemployment insurance, workplace health and safety guidance and employer assistance. Use the guidance on their website to determine what is best for you, your family and your workplace.
• For information about job protection and employment discrimination, visit the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing website.
• Information about employee leave options, compensation and salary can be found at The California Labor Commissioner’s Office.

LATEST:

Watch the 10/19  LAEDC Economic Update webinar / Slide deck from 10/19

Watch the 9/21  LAEDC Economic Update webinar / Slide deck from 9/21

Watch the 8/24 LAEDC Economic Update webinar / Slide deck from 8/24

Watch the LAEDC Safer at Work: Reopening Business Safely After COVID webinar  / Slide deck from Safer at Work

Watch the 7/20 LAEDC Economic Update webinar / Slide deck from 7/20

Watch the 6/29 LAEDC Economic Update webinar / Slide deck from 6/29

Watch the 6/22  LAEDC Economic Update webinar / Slide deck from 6/22

Watch the 6/8  LAEDC Economic Update webinar / Slide deck from 6/8

Watch the 5/18/20 LAEDC Economic Update webinar / Slide deck from 5/18

Watch the 5/11/20 LAEDC Economic Update webinar / Slide deck from 5/11

Watch the 5/4/20  LAEDC Economic Update webinar / Slide deck from 5/4 

Watch the 4/27/20 LAEDC Economic Update webinar / Slide deck from 4/27/20

Watch the 4/20/20 LAEDC Economic Update webinar / Slide deck from 4/20/20 

Watch the 4/13/20 LAEDC Economic Update webinar / Slide deck from 4/13/20 

Watch the 4/6/20 LAEDC Economic Update webinar / Slide deck from 4/6/20

Inside the Issues TV show on Spectrum News 1 featuring Bill Allen of LAEDC (5/25): here

Mottek on Money radio show on KNX 1070 News Radio (5/20) featuring LAEDC L.A. County Community Connectory director, Judy Kruger, interview starts at 17:15 mark and runs almost ten minutes: here

Mottek on Money radio show on KNX 1070 News Radio (5/23) featuring LAEDC CEO, Bill Allen, interview starts at 11:13 mark: here

KNBC TV local evening news interview with LAEDC, CEO, Bill Allen about reopening the economy, which was widely watched (5/19): here

The Los Angeles Times quotes LAEDC’s Bill Allen in story about gradual reopening of economy (5/20): here

Listen to LAEDC CEO Bill Allen on KNX Radio, on the 5/9/20 Mottek on Money show.
Bill’s comments begin at the 21:30 mark

KCET quotes LAEDC CEO Bill Allen in article about rising unemployment numbers and small business impact.

KNX Mottek on Money, 5/2:  Stephen Cheung, EVP of LAEDC, speaks about the plight of small businesses.
Listen: here Stephen’s comments begin at the 11:40 mark.

KPCC AirTalk 4/21: Larry Mantle Interviews LAEDC’s Bill Allen About Unemployment Forecasts & Economic Impact:

Click here for more details on this interview

LAEDC CEO, Bill Allen, talks with KNBC NewsConference host, Conan Nolan, on 4/17/20 regarding the economic impact COVID-19 is having on L.A. County: Watch the video here

L.A. County Arts and Culture
Resources for Artists and Organizations

Getty Foundation
Getty Foundation Arts Grant

National Endowment for the Arts
Resources for Artists and Organizations

Strategic Financial Planning Steps to Boost Business Post Pandemic
https://blog.concannonmiller.com/4thought/strategic-financial-planning-steps-to-boost-business-post-pandemic

Register for the Branding and Marketing Bootcamp: Kick Your Business Into High Gear webinar, 8/22: here

Access Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Virtual Forums & Webinars: here

Register for the Nonprofit Web Advisor “COVID-19 Training for Employees: A Certificate for Healthy Workspaces” Webinar: here

Register for the SCMSDC MBE Needs & Leads Social Hour: here

Register for the SCMSDC MBE Orientation Webinar: here

Register for the SCMSDC The Breakthrough BizTalk Series: here

Register for the SCMSDC Connecting with Consumers: Amplifying your Brand Through Storytelling: here

Access VSEDC Webinars: here