Following is information highlighting new and current resources available from the City of Seattle, the State of Washington, and the Federal government.
There’s lots of new information coming out for small business owners and workers, and we’ll try to keep you updated each week about what’s going on and the resources you can access for help during this challenging time. The City also has created a comprehensive resource page for residents and small businesses impacted by COVID-19. This page will be updated as more information becomes available.
City Resources
“At the City, we’re doing everything we can locally to support our small businesses during this unprecedented moment in history. We’ve identified millions of dollars to invest directly in our most vulnerable small businesses and are working with our partners across government and in the private sector to help many who are struggling. With many of our neighborhood restaurants still open, we can support our small businesses by ordering pickup or delivery during this time.
Mayor Jenny Durkan
New #SupportSeattleSmallBiz map of restaurants, bars, cafes, and breweries providing services
Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced on March 30 the City of Seattle’s new #SupportSeattleSmallBiz map, which helps residents find small businesses providing takeout or delivery in their neighborhood. The map allows users to search for open small businesses in their neighborhood and navigate directly to a business’ website or third-party delivery service page. For more details about what this map provides, see the Mayor’s press release.
The map is part of the City’s #SupportSeattleSmallBiz campaign, which asks residents to post pictures and videos from their favorite Seattle restaurants, bars, and cafes that are doing delivery, to-go, and drive-through with #SupportSeattleSmallBiz and #WeGotThisSeattle, and tag @SeattleEconomy. City staff are working to add these locations to the map as quickly as possible.
To use the map, residents can enter their location or drop a pin and find all the available restaurants near them. Once they select their restaurant, they can place a takeout or delivery order directly through the app or can receive directions to the restaurant. The map also connects users directly to third-party delivery services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Caviar to easily patronize a restaurant.
If you’re a business owner interested in adding your information to the #SupportSeattleSmallBiz map, please contact the City at supportsmallbiz@seattle.gov.
Stabilization Funds for Small Businesses
Round 1
To help relieve financial challenges for Seattle’s most vulnerable businesses, the City of Seattle committed approximately $2.5 million in Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to the first round of the Small Business Stabilization Fund. Applications for this first round of the Stabilization Fund were due Wednesday, March 25 at midnight. The application period for these grants is now closed.
We received over 8,500 applications, and are currently in the process of reviewing them. If you applied for one of these grants, you can expect to hear whether or not your application will be funded by April 10.
Round 2
While the application period for Round One of the Stabilization Fund has closed, small businesses will have a chance to apply for a second round of Stabilization Fund grants. We’ll be announcing additional information soon. Please keep your eye out for updates at #SupportSeattleSmallBiz as well as on our website.
Residents who would like to donate to the Small Business Stabilization Fund may do so by emailing covidpledge@seattle.gov. We appreciate your support and partnership as we work to help our small businesses during this unprecedented time.
Additional resources from the City of Seattle
Mayor Durkan and the City of Seattle have worked to implement a series of other actions that support artists, nonprofits, small businesses, and workers, including:
- Deferring utility payments for customers impacted by COVID-19;
- Implementing a temporary moratorium on residential, small business, and nonprofit evictions to provide relief for working people financially impacted by COVID-19;
- Creating temporary restaurant loading zones to facilitate curbside pickup at restaurants;
- Announcing a small business relief package that included deferred business taxes and a stabilization fund;
- Creating a new Arts Recovery Package to provide immediate financial relief to support the creative industries, including artists that have been impacted by COVID-19;
- Providing 6,250 Seattle families with $800 in grocery vouchers; and
- Providing rent relief to tenants of City-owned facilities.
State of Washington Resources
Find the most recent state-level resources and information regarding COVID-19 at Governor Jay Inslee’s site.
- Resources for impacted businesses and workers
- State guidance on Essential Businesses and Essential Critical Workforce Designations
- Need further clarification about your business? Fill out the Essential Business Inquiries Form
The Washington State Department of Commerce has direct links to the SBA loan programs and will soon have information about the Governor’s state-wide small business grant program. You can find Washington State resources for businesses outside the City of Seattle here.
Federal Resources for Businesses and Workers
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (or “CARES”) Act was passed by Congress and signed by the President on Friday, March 27. This legislation provides businesses and individuals with new forms of relief during this period of economic hardship. For a summary of its provisions, see our website.
Resources for Small Business
NEW! CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans
For Small Businesses (500 Employees or less) the CARES Act provides up to $10 million in forgivable loans to pay their employees during the COVID-19 crisis. All loan terms will be the same for everyone and are provided through financial institutions/lenders. The loan amounts will be forgiven as long as:
- The loan proceeds are used to cover payroll costs, and most mortgage interest, rent, and utility costs over an 8-week period between February 16th and June 30th, 2020; and
- Employee and compensation levels are maintained.
PPP loans are available to Small businesses with 500 or fewer employees—including nonprofits, veterans organizations, tribal concerns, self-employed individuals, sole proprietorships, and independent contractors. B
For more information about PPP loans:
- See the PPP Information Sheet for Borrowers on the Treasury Department’s site.
- More information is also available via the SBA site here.
How and where to apply for a PPP loan:
- These loans are provided through a financial institution or lender, and not the SBA.
- Find the Application Form for PPP loans here.
- For more details about application, please visit an approved SBA lender/financial institution. The full list of lenders has not yet been finalized. We recommend you start by contacting your current personal lender. As a backup, please refer to this list.
Please note: the PPP SBA policy is still being finalized. More details will be forthcoming soon. For the latest news and updates, subscribe for email alertsat www.sba.gov/updates. You can also follow SBA on Twitter at @SBAgov, @SBAPacificNW or @SBASeattle
SBA Loans
On Monday March 16, the SBA announced a disaster declaration regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides low-interest loan assistance to businesses in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories that have suffered substantial economic injury as result of COVID-19. These loans provide small businesses with working capital loans of up to $2 million that can help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
These loans can help small businesses meet financial obligations and cover operating expenses. For more information, click here. Additionally, this slide deck can guide you through the disaster loan program and includes step-by-step instructions on completing the application.
Applicants for the federal SBA Economic Injury Disaster loans may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 (interpretation provided) or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For information about all SBA loans and resources, visit the SBA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources page.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance
Businesses that have applied for a disaster assistance loan due to COVID-19 can also request a $10,000 advance to help cover costs. The link to the SBA EIDL application gets you through the application process. At the end of that you can submit and check the box to receive a $10,000 advance.
You should get an email confirmation of application submission. Once the application is submitted you will get the $10,000 auto deposited within 3 days of submitting your application, regardless of whether it is a successful application or not. By simply applying you are eligible for the $10,000. Applicants are not required to repay the advance, even if they are subsequently denied an EIDL. To apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan,click here.
Support for SBA Loan Application Process
The Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) is also offering technical assistance to help small businesses apply for these SBA Economic Injury Disaster loans. To request this service please fill out this intake survey and someone will respond within 1 business day.
If you prefer to inquire by phone or if you have an issue with the
survey, call (206) 684-8090. We’re here to help!
Deferment of Existing SBA Loans
If you have existing business loan through SBA, The SBA Debt Relief program provides a reprieve to small businesses as they overcome the challenges created by this health crisis. If you have an existing loan with SBA, under the SBA Debt Relief program:
- The SBA will also pay the principal and interest of new 7(a) loans issued prior to September 27, 2020.
- The SBA will pay the principal and interest of current 7(a) loans for a period of six months.
If you have questions about this, please call the lender that provided your SBA loan
New Resources for Individuals and Workers
Cash payments and tax relief
- Most individuals earning less than $75,000 can expect a one-time cash payment of $1,200. Married couples would each receive a check and families would get $500 per child. That means a family of four earning less than $150,000 can expect $3,400. Checks to be deposited mid-April.
- The cash payments are based on either your 2018 or 2019 tax filings. People who receive Social Security benefits but don’t file tax return are still eligible, too. They don’t need to file taxes; their checks will be based on information provided by the Social Security Administration.
- Tax returns: Some people have not filed their 2019 tax returns, but that’s OK. The filing deadline has been extended to July 15. The IRS also says that people who have filed or plan to can still expect to receive a refund if they are owed one.
Unemployment benefits
- This bill adds $600 per week from the federal government on top of whatever base amount a worker receives from the state. That boosted payment will last for four months.
- The legislation also adds 13 weeks of unemployment insurance. People nearing the maximum number of weeks allowed by their state would get an extension. New filers would also be allowed to collect the benefits for the longer period.
- Gig workers and freelancers: Typically, self-employed people, freelancers and contractors can’t apply for unemployment. This bill creates a new, temporary Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program through the end of this year to help people who lose work as a direct result of the public health emergency.
You can find more details about what the CARES Act provides on our website. More detailed information about how to apply for these benefits will be forthcoming from the Federal government in the near future.
Make Sure You’re Counted!
We’re urging residents to fill out their Census form NOW – this is one of the most critical things we can do as a community to ensure Seattle gets the resources we need. The #2020Census will shape our City’s access to hard-earned federal benefits and political representation. If there’s an undercount, our communities’ lives could be impacted for an entire decade.
Please take a few minutes to complete the Census and say, “We’re here, and we count.” If you haven’t already, head to https://2020census.gov/ to fill out your Census form and help our region access critical federal resources. It is your right to complete the Census and your privacy and confidentiality is protected by law. #2020Census #WeCount.