COVID-19: COMMUNITY & BUSINESS RESOURCES
As Texas begins to re-open, it is important that we continue to keep ourselves and those most vulnerable safe by following CDC guidelines.
Click the buttons below to view Gov. Abbott’s phases to open Texas.
It goes without saying that these are unprecedented times, but the country is banding together to support our businesses and non-profits. Please see the list below of resources for businesses and how you can help support those helping others in need.
Check back often for updated information and resources. You can find our Federal updates here.
The Department of Treasury and the Small Business Administration are now taking applications for the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP). You can find additional information here. Additionally, you can download the the DOT PPP Overview, Borrower Information Fact Sheet, the Lender Fact Sheet and the DOT PPP Application. Governor Greg Abbott announced that Goldman Sachs and LiftFund are making an additional $50 million available for small business loans. Reader more about that here.
The U.S. Chamber has released three resources to help small businesses navigate the CARES Act (Phase III Bill). You can view the Guide to SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), the Employee Retention Guide and the Emergency Small Business Loan Guide.
This memo from our D.C. lobbyist, Thorn Run Partners, details how the legislative response to COVID-19 will impact small businesses.
UPDATE: As of March 31, Gov. Abbott extends the essential activities and protocol measure until April 30. Click here to read more.
Our state’s economic expert, Dr. Ray Perryman, released his report on the potential economic impact of COVID-19 to the U.S. economy. Click here to read the report. The most recent study provided by the Perryman Group highlights the economic projections for the US and Texas incorporate the potential effects of COVID-19. Click here to read the report.
To learn more about what’s happening in your city, please click on the below links. You can learn about plans for city facilities as well as recommended safety measures.
Town of Addison
City of Arlington
City of Carrollton
City of Celina
City of Coppell
City of Corinth
City of Dallas
City of Denton
City of Euless
City of Farmers Branch
Town of Flower Mound
City of Fort Worth
City of Frisco
City of Granbury
City of Grand Prairie
City of Grapevine
City of Irving
City of Lancaster
City of Lewisville
City of Mansfield
City of McKinney
City of North Richland Hills
City of Plano
City of Richardson
City of Roanoke
City of Rowlett
City of Southlake
COUNTY UPDATES
Stay up to date with the latest news in your county. Click each link to learn more about what your home county is mandating for shelter in place.
TAX REBATE CHECKS
Under the Phase Three coronavirus package, Americans with a valid Social Security Number who meet certain income thresholds will receive a one-time rebate check of $1,200 per adult, or $2,400 per married couple, and $500 for each child. The Secretary of the United States Treasury announced payments should begin going out the week of April 6, 2020. Learn more about eligibility here.
IMPROVED AND EXPANDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
The CARES Act creates a new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program that will cover individuals who wouldn’t normally be eligible for traditional Unemployment Insurance benefits. This program particularly helps self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and those who are simply unable to work due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Unemployment Benefits for More Americans
Makes sure self-employed and independent contractors, like Uber drivers and gig workers, can receive unemployment during the public health emergency. The bill also includes support to state and local governments and nonprofits so they can pay unemployment to their employees.
More Money for a Longer Period for More Workers
In addition to expanded eligibility, under this program, unemployment recipients would receive an additional $600 per week for four months on top of the amount given to them through their state program. In Texas, weekly unemployment benefits previously ranged between $69 to $521 per week.
Furthermore, the CARES Act adds an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits to the number of weeks states currently allow. In Texas, Unemployment beneficiaries were previously limited to 26 weeks of benefits.
Lastly, benefits can be applied retroactively dating back to January 27, 2020.
Loosens Rules on Retirement Accounts
Older Americans that are subject to mandatory minimum distributions from their retirement accounts would be able to keep their capital invested without penalty instead of being forced to draw upon their account as required through the remainder of 2020. Similarly, the bill also waives the 10% penalty on coronavirus-related early withdrawals from 401(k)s and IRAs, which applies to withdrawals made at any time during 2020.
Helps Employees Stay Connected to their Employers
The CARES Act helps workers keep their jobs, provides relief so local businesses can ride out this storm, and helps to ensure furloughed workers have jobs to return to by providing employers of all sizes impacted by coronavirus a refundable payroll tax credit for continuing to pay employees.
Expands Access to Care for Patients
Patients who need care will be able to receive care, especially those most vulnerable. The legislation expands the available uses of telehealth services to respond to surging requests. This enables more providers to diagnose and treat patients in a safe and fast environment without requiring patients to leave their own homes.
The CARES Act also creates a Ready Reserve Corps to ensure our nation has enough trained doctors and nurses to respond to this and future outbreaks.
Resources for Hospitals, Doctors, and Healthcare Providers on the Front Lines
The Phase III package includes unprecedented resources to providers during these unprecedented times. The CARES Act provides resources and funding for hospital and health provider reimbursements, procurement of new medical supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE), medical research, state and local preparedness grants, improvements to public health data infrastructure, and greater access to Coronavirus healthcare for all Americans.
SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF
In sum, the CARES Act provides emergency grants, forgivable loans and relief for existing loans to companies with 500 or fewer employees including:
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$10 billion to grants to cover immediate operating costs. Each grant may be in an amount up to $10,000.
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$350 billion dollars for the Small Business Administration to provide loans of up to $10 million dollars per business. Any portion of that loan that is used for payroll, to keep workers employed or to pay for rent, mortgage and existing debt is eligible for forgiveness, provided workers stay employed through the end of June 2020. (The Act requires the Small Business Administration to issue regulations on the forgiveness provisions within the next 30 days.)
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$17 billion dollars to cover six months of payments for small businesses that already have Small Business Administration Loans.
IMPROVED AND EXPANDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
The CARES Act creates a new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program that will cover individuals who wouldn’t normally be eligible for traditional Unemployment Insurance benefits. This program particularly helps self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and those who are simply unable to work due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Grants
What grants are available?
Those who apply during the covered period for a Small Business Administration loan through the Small Business Act’s Disaster Loan Program because of COVID-19, may request up to a $10,000 advance, which does not have to be repaid even if the loan application is later denied. Advances are to be awarded within three days of making an application.
Who is eligible for a grant?
The CARES Act expands the Small Business Act’s Disaster Loan Program during the period of January 31, 2020 through December 31, 2020 to include businesses, cooperatives and employee stock ownership plans with 500 or fewer employees; sole proprietorships, with or without employees, and independent contractors; and tribal small business concerns.
What are the permissible uses of grant money?
Advances may be used to provide sick leave to employees who are unable to work due to the direct effect of COVID-19, maintaining payroll during business disruptions during slowdowns, meeting increased supply chain results, making rent or mortgage payments, and repaying debts that cannot be paid due to lost revenue. If a business that receives an advance is later approved for a loan under the Business Loan Program (below), any loan forgiveness will be reduced by the advance.
What else should I know about the Disaster Loan Program aspect of this?
For loan applicants, the CARES Act waives rules related to personal guarantees on advances and loans of $200,000 or less for all applicants, waives the one year in business prior to the disaster requirement, waives any requirement that the applicant be unable to find credit elsewhere, and allows lenders to approve applicants solely on credit scores or alternative methods to determine an applicant’s ability to repay.
New Small Business Loans
What’s available?
For the covered period of February 15, 2020 to June 30, 2020, the CARES Act allows the Small Business Administration to provide 100% federally backed loans (either directly or in cooperation with the private sector), to eligible businesses to help pay operational costs, including: payroll (wages, commissions, cash), paid leave, severance payments, group health benefits, insurance premiums, retirement benefits, state and local payroll taxes, rent, mortgage, mortgage interest, utilities and interest on other debt obligations. The Act also permits loan proceeds to be used to cover up to $100,000 in one year is for sole proprietors, independent contractors, and commission based compensation.
Who is eligible for a loan?
Any business (including Tribal businesses), nonprofit, or veteran organization that employs not more than the greater of:
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500 employees (whether employed full-time, part-time, or on other bases); or
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the Small Business Act’s definition of a qualifying business for that industry.
Hospitality Businesses are eligible for loans if they have more than one physical location and (i) employ 500 or fewer employees per location; and (ii) are in the “accommodation and food services” sector (Sector 72) under the North American Industry Classification System.
Certain Small Business Act regulations, such as those that affect the eligibility of hospitality, restaurants and franchises under 13 CFR 121.103, are waived for the covered period.
Sole proprietors, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals, who meet these definitions in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, and satisfy the documentation requirements, are eligible to receive loans under this part of the Act.
What’s required?
An applicant must certify that:
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The loan is necessary to continue operations during the COVID-19 public health emergency;
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The loan will be used to retain workers, maintain payroll and make mortgage, lease, and utility payments;
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The same purpose;
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From February 15, 2020 until December 31, 2020, the applicant does not receive duplicative amounts under the new Business Loan Program.
What size loan can I get?
Basically, the maximum loan amount is the lesser of:
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$10 million;
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2.5 times the average total monthly payroll costs incurred in the one year period before the loan is made plus the outstanding amount of a loan made under the Small Business Act’s Disaster Loan Program between January 31, 2020 and the date on which such loan may be refinanced as part of this new Business Loan Program (if the business is seasonal, the determination is calculated from the average monthly payroll cost for 12 weeks from February 15, 2019, or from March 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019); or
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For businesses that did not exist during February 15, 2019 to June 30, 2019, 2.5 times the average total monthly payroll payments from January 1, 2020 to February 29, 2020, plus the outstanding amount of any loan made under the Small Business Act’s Disaster Loan Program between January 31, 2020 and the date on which such loan may be refinanced under this Act.
What amounts are subject to forgiveness?
These loans are eligible for forgiveness and excluded from gross income in an amount equal to payroll costs, rent, utilities, and mortgage interest payments incurred and paid during the covered period. If an employer cuts employees or reduces their wages, the forgiveness amounts will be reduced in amounts that are determined by whether the employer reduces wages, permanently terminates employment, rehires employees, and/or has employees who receive tips.
How do I apply for loan forgiveness?
Borrowers who want to seek loan forgiveness under this program must submit the following information their lender:
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Documentation verifying full time employees on payroll and their tax rates;
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Documentation of costs/payments (mortgage, rent, utilities);
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Certification from a business representative that the documentation is true and correct and that forgiveness amounts requested were used to retain employees and make other forgiveness-eligible payments; and
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Any other documentation the Small Business Administration or lender may require.
Where do I apply?
Lenders authorized to make loans under the Small Business Act’s current Business Loan Program are automatically approved to make and approve these loans and the Department of the Treasure may add more private sector lenders.
What are other important terms to know?
No collateral or personal guarantee is required for a loan. The interest rate is capped at 4%. There will be no subsidy recoupment fee associated with the loans and no prepayment penalty for any payments made. Additionally, the Small Business Administration has no recourse against any individual, shareholder, member or partner of an eligible loan recipient for non-payment, unless the individual uses the loan proceeds for unauthorized purposes. Loan amounts that are not forgiven will have a maximum maturity date of 10 years from the date the borrower applied for loan forgiveness.
Prior SBA loan amounts may be refinanced under this new loan program:
A loan made under the Small Business Act’s Disaster Loan Program on or after January 31, 2020, may be refinanced as part of a covered loan under this new Business Loan Program as soon as the new business loans are made available.
Will I qualify to receive this loan?
The CARES Act contains guidance to the Small Business Administration intended to ensure that processing and distribution of loans under the new Business Loan Program prioritizes small business concerns, entities underserved and rural markets (including veteran communities), small business concerns owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, women, and businesses that have been operating for fewer than 2 years.
Other CARES Act Benefits to Small Businesses
The CARES Act also contains tax provisions that: affect whether loan proceeds are included in gross income for federal income tax purposes; provide employee retention tax credits; and postpone due dates for employer payroll tax deposits and self-employment taxes.
ECONOMIC STABILIZATION AND ASSISTANCE TO SEVERELY DISTRESSED SECTORS OF THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY
Five hundred billion dollars is apportioned to non-forgivable loans for other eligible businesses, who must commit to maintaining at least 90% of their employment levels as of March 24, 2020 through September 20, 2020. Approximately $39 billion of this apportionment is designated to air carriers and U.S. businesses that haven’t yet received adequate economic relief from other loans or loan guarantees (those necessary to national security). The remaining $454 billion is designated for the Federal Reserve to create facilities that support lending to other eligible businesses. The Act requires the Treasury Secretary to publish procedures and minimum requirements for loans, loan guarantees and other investments within 10 days of the CARES Act’s enactment.
There are 16 critical infrastructure sectors whose assets, systems, and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States that their incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination thereof. Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD-21): Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience advances a national policy to strengthen and maintain secure, functioning, and resilient critical infrastructure. This directive supersedes Homeland Security Presidential Directive 7. Click here to read more.
Like businesses, our non-profits are feeling tremendous financial pressure as they continue to serve the community under these trying times.
Consider reaching out to your Congressional representatives to ask them to provide aid to the non-profit sector in much the same way they are providing support to business.
Support is underway for this sector, but explicit language identifying this sector is needed. Several North Texas non-profits are at risk of closing and they need our help today. Reach out to your Congressman to ask to include non-profits, and if you use social media, add #Relief4Charities to your posts.
North Texas Cares
North Texas Cares is a funder collaborative made up of North Texas foundations and United Ways that have come together to provide support for organizations that work with people and communities who may be most negatively affected by COVID-19. Visit the North Texas Cares website to learn more.
Serve DFW
Serve DFW is a group of organizations serving the Metroplex and surrounding areas, serving our communities toward COVID-19 response. To learn more about Serve DFW, please visit their website.
Tarrant County Food Policy Council
Recovery Support for Texans – Greenhouse Treatment Program
The Greenhouse Treatment Program is an inpatient treatment center for alcohol and drug use. Greenhouse accepts insurance, has extensive COVID-19 protections in place (including on-site) testing and supports the community with weekly meetings, an aftercare app and more.