DISASTER LOAN RESOURCES- COVID 19

Plantation Point Shopping Center Merchants

Below are some resources available to business owners impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic:

We strongly encourage you investigate these, and other, options some of which include business grants that DO NOT NEED TO BE PAID BACK.
These are FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED so APPLY IMMEDIATELY.

CORONAVIRUS AID, RELIEF, AND ECONOMIC SECURITY (CARES) ACT
The Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Treasury have announced the programs created through the CARES Act, including the Paycheck Protection Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Emergency Grants, and Small Business Debt Relief.

Paycheck Protection Program
The Paycheck Protection Program, one of the largest sections of the CARES Act, sets aside $350 billion in government-backed loans/grants from private banks to help small businesses survive the coronavirus outbreak. In some cases, these loans can be converted to grants, which means that if you meet certain requirements, you won't need to pay the loan back. Here are the most important things small businesses need to know about the Paycheck Protection Program.

How does the Paycheck Protection Program work?
The Paycheck Protection Program’s $350 billion in small business loans will be issued by private banks. Currently, the Small Business Administration (SBA) guarantees loans that are given out by a network of more than 800 lenders across the U.S. The Paycheck Protection Program creates a type of emergency loan that can be forgiven when used to maintain payroll through June. The basic purpose of the Paycheck Protection Program is to incentivize small businesses to not lay off workers and/or to rehire laid-off workers that lost jobs due to COVID-19 disruptions.

What businesses are eligible for these loans?
The Paycheck Protection Program offers loans for the following types of businesses experiencing revenue disruption as a result of COVID-19:

• Small businesses with fewer than 500 employees.

• Select types of businesses with fewer than 1,500 employees.

• 501(c)(3) non-profits with fewer than 500 workers.

• Some 501(c)(19) veteran organizations.

• Self-employed workers, sole proprietors, and freelance or gig economy workers.

Businesses, even without a personal guarantee or collateral, can apply one of these loans as long as they were operational on February 15, 2020, and had paid employees at that time (even if the owner is the only employee). On a final note, the SBA’s 500-employee threshold includes all types of employees: full-time, part-time, and any other status.

What are the terms of these loans?
Loans under the Paycheck Protection Act can be 2.5 times the borrower’s average monthly payroll costs, and they cannot exceed $10 million. The interest rate for Paycheck Protection loans are set at .5%, and loans mature after two years. No personal guarantee or collateral is required. The lenders are expected to defer fees, principal and interest for no less than six months and no more than one year. The SBA notes that all loans will have the same terms regardless of lender or borrower. Loan payments will be deferred for six months.
Lenders will also ask you for a good faith certification that:

• The loan is needed to support ongoing operations;

• The loan will be used to retain workers, maintain payroll, and pay for mortgage, lease, and utility payments;

• The borrower does not have a pending application for a similar loan; and

• The borrower did not get a similar loan between Feb. 15, 2020 and Dec. 31, 2020.

Small businesses that take out these loans can get some or all of their loans forgiven.

How can I get my loan forgiven?
Small businesses that take out these loans can get some or all of their loans forgiven. Generally speaking, if employers continue paying employees at normal levels during the eight weeks following the origination of the loan, then the amount they spent on payroll costs (excluding costs for any compensation above $100,000 annually), mortgage interest, rent payments and utility payments can be combined and that portion of the loan will be forgiven. Businesses that rehire workers that were laid off prior to the loan origination will not be penalized. If businesses can restore normal payroll in the eight-week period, they should be able to get the loan forgiven, effectively making the loan a grant.

When can I apply for a Payroll Protection Loan?
• The Paycheck Protection Program application process will roll out in two phases, one week apart.
• On April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships can begin applying for these loans.
• On April 10, 2020, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can begin applying.

The SBA advises that all businesses should “apply as quickly as you can because there is a funding cap.”

How do I apply?
First, fill out the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program sample application. Businesses can submit their application to any existing SBA-approved private lender or through federally insured depository institutions, federally insured credit unions, and Farm Credit System institutions that are participating.

The SBA and local banks around the country are still finalizing the program, so check with your local bank or credit union to see if they are taking part in the program. Banks that are already SBA-approved lenders may be quicker to put the loan program in place. Businesses may want to start by talking to any lender they currently work with first to see if they are taking part in the program as well.

To learn more about how to apply for Payroll Protection loans, read the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Guide to Emergency Coronavirus Loans.

Department of Treasury—Here you will find information on the Paycheck Protection Program, as well as other tax provisions meant to help employers, including non-profits.To help small business owners and entrepreneurs better understand the new programs that will soon be available to them, a comprehensive guide has been created to many of the small business provisions in the CARES Act that was passed by Congress on March 27. These programs and initiatives are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. While these programs are being implemented, you may continue to use this guide as a source of information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the SBA and Treasury. Once complete guidance has been announced for all of the programs, this guide will be updated to reflect that guidance.
Download the guide here.

U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMIN. DISASTER LOAN ASSISTANCE - CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

America’s Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering monetary relief to small businesses afflicted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. SBA’s monetary aid is available in the form of low-interest federal disaster loans. Up to $2 million in aid is available to each business based on the financial impact of the coronavirus. These loans may be used to pay rent, fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profit organizations. Loan terms have a maximum of 30 years.

You can apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan online at sba.gov/disaster. You may also apply in person at any Disaster Recovery Center and receive personal, one-on-one help from an SBA representative. For information or to find a location near you, please contact their Customer Service Center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

BUSINESS INTERRUPTION INSURANCE

Businesses often insure against the risk of material damage to property, including risk of business interruptions arising from such property damage resulting in partial or total closure of the business, which in turn leads to loss of profits. Please contact your insurance provider to understand what coverage you have in place. We urge you to file a claim regardless of what the policy indicates as there are currently legal cases and municipal bills in motion aimed at supporting the argument for coverage, especially for restaurants.

LENDER

Engage your lender to understand your loan obligations and discuss options for relief. The FDIC is providing lenders with incentives to work with businesses affected by COVID-19.

FRANCHISOR (IF APPLICABLE)

Partner with your Franchisor and discuss the support options being provided to franchisees, such as the waiver of fees, payments, and royalties.

LANDLORD

If you’re experiencing a hardship, please notify property management immediately.

APPLICATION FOR PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOAN

Paycheck Protection Program Application Form

APPLICATION FOR SBA COVID-19 ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN

SBA COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Online Loan Application

Leasing

Leasing

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