Resources for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses

  • 1/7/22 LA County Health Order Update: Employers to provide and require employees who work indoors in close contact with others to wear a well-fitting medical grade mask, surgical mask, or higher-level respirator such as an N95 filtering facepiece respirator or KN95, at all times while indoors at the worksite or facility.
  • Review all best practices and COVID-19 guidelines for your business here.

U.S. Small Business Administration

  • Economic Injury Disaster Loan: Direct loan provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA) for up to $2 million at a rate of 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for nonprofits. California businesses have access to this program at sba.gov. Businesses may also contact the SBA 24hr Customer Service Center with questions at 1-800-659-2955 / 1-800-877-8339 (TTY).
  • SBA Express Bridge Loans: Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing and can be a term loans or used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster loan. If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for decision and disbursement on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan. Check out the Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program Guide for procedures applicable to the Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program.
  • SBA Debt Relief: The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. For more details, visit: sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/sba-debt-relief

CA Economic Development Department

  • Work Sharing Program: 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. This program helps employers minimize or eliminate the need for layoffs, and helps employers retain trained employees and avoid costs of recruiting and hiring new employees as business conditions improve.

CA Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) Finance Programs

  • Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program: his disaster program provides guarantees for loans of up to $50,000 for small business borrowers in declared disaster areas. Learn more at ibank.ca.gov/small-business-finance-center/.

California State Treasurer’s Office

  • California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) (1-500 employees): Loan loss reserve program which may provide up to 100% coverage on losses as a result of certain loan defaults. Individual borrowers are limited to a maximum of $2.5 million enrolled over a 3-year period. Locate participating lenders at treasurer.ca.gov/cpcfa/calcap/sb/institutions.pdf.

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

  • The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA.

Coronavirus Tax Relief

LA County

  • LA County Help Center: LA County has just launched a centralized call center and website providing free, one-on-one counseling and support for business owners and workers who have been adversely affected by the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis. Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for calls: (833) 238-4450
  • Pandemic Compliant Fund-WDACS (1-100 employees): Awards up to
    $5,000 per business to help businesses offset costs related to compliance with local health orders and recommended safety measures.
  • General EAG Funds-WDACS (1-100 employees): Awards up to $25,000 to businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 for a variety of eligible uses. Prioritization will be given to businesses based on CalEnviroscreen 3.0 scoring and to those businesses that have not received local CARES Act
    grants.
  • Social Impact Funds-WDACS: Awards up to $50,000 to support LA County Social Enterprises, Social Community Business Enterprise (CBEs) and B Corporations. Prioritization will be given to Social Enterprises. Others will be prioritized by CalEnviroscreen 3.0 scoring and those that have not received local CARES Act grants.
  • LADCA COVID-19 Childcare Provider Grant: The Los Angeles County COVID-19 CARES Act Childcare Grant Program provides grants up to $10,000 or $40,000 to eligible childcare operators in Los Angeles County who have been impacted by COVID-19.
  • Keep LA County Dining Grant Program: LA County has launched a grant program to help restaurants impacted by COVID-19 restrictions. Eligible businesses can receive $30,000 for Working Capital Assistance. Applications are currently CLOSED. Visit their website to learn more.

Additional Grant Opportunities

  • Hello Alice Grant: A collaboration between the public and private sector to assist small businesses severely impacted by COVID 19.
  • Grants by Industry:
    • Entertainment Sector
      • 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 ormedical expenses.
      • Carnegie Fund for Actors: To assist American authors who have published at least one full length work.
    • Hair Salons/Nail Professionals
      • Professional Beauty Association: This fund will assist license beauty professional who are unable to work due
        to COVID-19.
        • Virtue: Provides financial assistance to stylists and salon workers in the Virtue community. 
  • Jewish Free Loan Association: Provides interest free loans up to $10,000.
  • Federal Government Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): The EIDL program is designed to provide economic relief to businesses that are
    currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Employment Development Department (EDD)

  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance: Designed to assist unemployed Californians that are not usually eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance. This includes business owners, self-employed workers, independent contractors, and those with a limited work history who are out of business or have significantly reduced their
    services as a direct result of the pandemic.