Resources for Business Owners Impacted by COVID-19

In addition to a global public health crisis, COVID-19 is creating serious economic injuries for our independent, small business owners locally. We are here for our business community now and in the coming months as we continue to see the impacts on our small businesses.

Business Requirements

As of April 17, 2020, San Mateo County is requiring workers at essential businesses to wear face coverings. Additionally, residents are required to wear face coverings outside the home and in close proximity to others, this includes while at essential businesses or waiting in line, in medical facilities, and on transit or in rideshare. Face coverings can be factory-made or made from ordinary household materials (scarves, bandanas, etc.). You can find more information by reading the County Health Official’s Order and the County’s FAQs regarding Face Coverings. The County has also developed a face covering flyer for display and distribution.

As of  April 2, 2020, San Mateo County is requiring all businesses permitted to continue operations are required to draft and post a Social Distancing Protocol at or near the business entrance that shall be easily viewable by the public and employees. You can find templates of these notices on the County’s website in multiple languages.

 Federal Programs and Resources

• SBA Coronavirus Relief Options: Learn more about all of the SBA Coronavirus Relief Options available through the Small Business Administration (SBA) website. 
• SBA Paycheck Protection Program: The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is part of the SBA’s $349 billion lending program under the Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Lenders will begin processing loan applications as soon as April 3, 2020. The PPP is an SBA loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the COVID-19 crisis.
  • SBA PPP Loan Forgiveness **Updated 6/16/2020**
    • Forgiveness is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. Forgiveness will be reduced if full-time headcount declines, or if salaries and wages decrease. There are two applications for SBA Loan Forgiveness:
    • The SBA has revised the PPP Loan Forgiveness Instructions and Application.
    • The following business owners qualify for the PPP EZ Loan Forgiveness Instructions and Application (simpler form and less documentation) :
      • self-employed and have no employees; OR
      • Did not reduce the salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25%, and did not reduce the number or hours of their employees; OR
      • Experienced reductions in business activity as a result of health directives related to COVID-19 and did not reduce the salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25%

  • The SBA resumed accepting applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) on Monday, April 27 at 10:30 EST. Please contact an approved SBA lender to apply for the program. If your businesses have questions and need to connect with the San Francisco SBA District Office, please reach out to sfomail@sba.gov or 415-744-6820.

  • PPP Resources:
    

    Overview Application for Borrowers Information Sheet: Lenders Information Sheet: Borrowers

    Calculations for Sole Proprietors Small Business Guide and Checklist List of Lenders PPP Frequently Asked Questions

  • SBA EIDL UPDATE: The SBA is accepting applications for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Loan Advance application on a limited basis only to U.S. Agricultural businesses. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Loan Advance Application can be accessed on online.
• Eligibility Criteria for Cash Payments and Unemployment Insurance: Congress recently passed three packages in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Review the eligibility requirements to find out if you qualify for direct cash payments and unemployment insurance.For questions related to your Economic Impact Payment (EIP) please visit IRS frequently asked questions. 

State Programs and Resources

• Small Business Relief Payment Plans: Small business taxpayers with less than $5 million in taxable annual sales are eligible for a 12-month, interest-free, payment plan for up to $50,000 of sales and use tax liability. Payment plan requests can be made online.
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance: The State’s Employment Development Department will begin accepting applications for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and the CARES Act Pandemic Additional Compensation Program to provide financial assistance to unemployed Californian business owners, self-employed, and independent contractors with limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular unemployment benefits as a direct result of the pandemic.
• Payroll Tax Assistance – Businesses can request a 60-day extension to file payroll or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest from the Employment Development Department. Call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center 1-888-745-3886 (toll-free).
• Loan Guarantees: California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank is providing loan guarantees to small businesses to help eliminate barriers to capital for individuals who do not qualify for federal funds, including low wealth and undocumented immigrant communities. Applicants must work with Financial Development Corporations. The closest one is Nor-Cal Financial Development Corporation. 

Sanford Livingston, CEO
300 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 175
Oakland, CA 94612
Voice: 510-452-1171
Fax: 510-452-4405
E-mail: slivingston@nor-calfdc.org

• Resources List from the Governor’s Office: The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) has created a website with helpful information on financial and technical assistance, labor and work force support, and state business taxes.
• Small Business Resource List: The California State Treasurer’s Office has created a list of federal, state, county, city, and private businesses helping small businesses with loans, grants, and technical resources.
• Other State Resources: Learn more about the State’s resources through California’s Coronavirus Response website.

Regional and Local Programs and Resources 

• Rental Assistance for Childcare Providers
  • The City of San Mateo has partnered with Samaritan House to provide rental assistance for in-home childcare providers. Childcare providers who are in need of assistance are encouraged to contact the Samaritan House with questions and start the application process online https://apply.samaritanhousesanmateo.org/

    
    

• San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA) Resources and Support:
  

  • Financial Relief and Business Resource Information: SAMCEDA has compiled information on financial relief and business resource programs.
  • Economic Impact Survey: SAMCEDA is also asking business affected by COVID-19 to take a short economic impact survey. Information gathered from the survey will be used to develop financial assistance programs for small businesses in San Mateo County.
  • COVID-19 Business Continuity Action Plan: SAMCEDA has developed a COVID-19 Business Continuity Action Plan for small and medium-sized businesses with helpful tips and resources.
• San Mateo Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Free Advising and Webinars:
  • The San Mateo SBDC is a nonprofit organization funded by the SBA that provides expert no-cost advising, workshops, and trainings to guide small businesses to success. 
  • Free Hotline: You can now call 833-ASK-SBDC (833.275.7232) to reach the Northern California SBDC call center for support with SBA loans and business financial urgent care. There are two email addresses that are being served by the new call center:
    • Email loans@asksbdc.com for assistance with available loans
    • Email espanol@asksbdc.com para asistencia en español
      
  • Free Advising: The San Mateo SBDC offers free individualized one-on-one advisors that provide technical assistance to businesses applying for SBA programs.  Business counselors are paid by the SBA.
  • Free Webinars: The San Mateo SBDC has developed webinars related to COVID-19 small business assistance. Starting mid-April, the SBDC will add two webinars each week, one in English and one in Spanish.
• San Mateo County Strong Small Business Assistance Grant Program: The application window for the San Mateo County Strong Small Business Grant Program closed on April 28, 2020 at 2 pm. Grant applications are currently under review.
  
• City Waives Late Fees for Business License Tax: The City will waive late fees for businesses impacted by COVID-19.

• Moratoriums on Evictions: In response to the hardships many in our community are facing due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak and the Shelter in Place Order, moratoriums have been adopted to ban residential and commercial evictions in the City of San Mateo.