COVID-19

Check Out Our Videos These regularly updated videos are step by step guides on how to complete various SBA forms needed for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and other topics like driving sales online.

The Latest News & Resources for your Business

At the OCIE SBDC want to ensure that you and your business remain successful despite the vastly changing concerns about coronavirus (COVID-19). Your business is a priority to us, that is why we are here to help guide you back on the right path to success. Take a look at the many resources we have provided below or for more information contact 1-800-616-7232.

Virtual Business Consulting

Our consultants are ready to help you when you need them. For the safety and convenience of all, we will be conducting virtual consulting sessions – at no cost to you. Our expert consultants will guide you through every application, resource, and question you have to help your business prepare and recover. Click the button below to sign up for our virtual consulting services or call us at 1-800-616-SBDC (7232).

Upcoming Webinars

Register for Online Webinars and Workshops Here

Previous Webinars

Ask SBDC Webinars Recording

Town Halls Recording

My Store Front Is Closed? How Do I Sell My Goods Online? Recording

Survival Strategies for Tech Startups Recording

SBA Disaster Loan Recording

SBDC Resources

COVID-19 Employer Resource Guide – Download the Latest News and Resources

This guide provides information and FAQs about the Employment Development Department (EDD) resources, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, our SBDC Finance Center and how we can help – and much more!

Restaurant Reopening Resource Guide

This guide will take you through what steps to take before and after opening your restaurant to ensure compliance with guidelines and ensure the safety of employees and customers.

How to Keep Your Restaurant Running and Successful Resource Guide

This guide for restauranteurs will go over some practices that can be implemented to streamline operations given the new reality we’re currently facing.

5 Strategies to Keep Your Business Healthy During Interruptions Resource Guide

Our spreadsheet will estimate the loan amount you can receive and includes the data needed.

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Resource Guide

Take a look at our guide on the U.S Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan. We answer your most frequently asked questions.

COVID-19 Video Guides

These regularly updated videos are step by step guides on how to complete various SBA forms needed for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and other topics like driving sales online.

Although the SBDC will be postponing and canceling our in-person events for the time being, we will continue to have virtual programs as we wish to help your business survive and thrive regardless of the circumstances. Be sure to keep an eye out for these events – all at no cost to you.

More Resources

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

The Employment Development Department (EDD) is offering the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program for unemployed Californians who are business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, have limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular state UI benefits who are out of business or services due to the pandemic. Learn more about the program here. For the required forms you will need, view here.

If you applied to general unemployment insurance prior to 4/28/20, you MUST reapply to PUA.

PUA:
  • Provides 39 weeks of benefits between 02/02/2020 and 12/26/20.
  • A 13-week extension doesn’t apply because it’s woven into the program.
  • No waiting period.
  • Claims are automatically backdated to the Sunday prior to the first date the claimant was directly impacted by COVID-19.
  • Can only go back as far as 02/02/2020 to coincide with the effective date of the program. (For CA, most were impacted in mid-Mar.)
  • The minimum weekly benefit amount is $167. (Everyone gets this.)
  • Claimants need to report their 2019 *net* income when filing. (Estimates are fine.)
  • To be considered for a higher WBA up to $450, verifiable income documentation will be required.
    • Still working on the process to get docs to EDD, but will make it retroactive to the date the claim began.
  • $600 weekly stimulus applies but only between 3/29/20 and 7/25/20.
  • EDD will automatically certify all weeks ending between 3/14/2020 and 05/09/20 to expedite payment processing.
    • If wages are earned during this time, must report using Ask EDD (online tool).
  •  Payments will be made through the EDD Debit Card; allow at least 5 business days for mail time once the first payment is authorized.

Helpful hints:

  • Can be a bit difficult to know whether you are applying for PUA as it isn’t prominent on application
  • Be sure to answer NO to the following question if you are self-employed/1099, etc.
    • If you worked today, you should indicate the name of the employer you worked for today
    • BUSINESS OWNER, SELF-EMPLOYED, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR OR GIG WORKER: If you had no employment(i.e. if you did not receive a W-2) in the last 18 months and are applying for PUA, then click No below.
  • There is an option to save application draft; keep doing this throughout in case system freezes, etc.
  • Don’t forget to refresh the page
  • You might get an error/not available at this time announcement. The system is also knocking people off and asking them to try back in one hour.
  • Answer no to Question 7 – Have you been employed in the last 18 months. If you made a mistake on this question on a previous application, EDD is reporting there is no need to go back and fix this on your end.  The system has been corrected.
  • If you have an existing UI account, you don’t need to open up a new one in order to apply for PUA
  • Net income is gross income minus all allowable deductions by the IRS, including rent, gas, phone bills, etc. Bottom line, it’s what you pay taxes on. Again, an estimate is OK here.
Frequently Asked Questions:
    • I filed previously and received a letter stating I had zero benefits afforded to me. I understand now that when I filed the system was not set up for self-employed claims. Should I open a new claim or update my existing claim? Yes, please. EDD will automatically backdate your claim to the Sunday preceding the first date your business/employment was impacted by COVID-19. However, PUA claims can’t begin any earlier than 02/02/2020. 
    • If I file a new claim, should I cancel my existing claim?  No. EDD updated the system to allow you to submit a new claim without canceling the previous one.

For more information, contact the EDD Assistance Center at 1-866-333-4606 between the hours of 8 AM – 5 PM.

Tax Assistance

The Employment Development Department (EDD) is providing payroll assistance for employers who are experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19. Therefore, employers may request a 60-day extension to file their payroll reports and taxes. For more information take a look at our downloadable resources down below or call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center at 1-888-745-3886 (toll-free).

Loans  

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a U.S. government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. They are offering up to $2M in disaster loans for small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19; this loan can help alleviate some of the economic injury caused by this pandemic.

The state of California’s CA Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank’s (IBANK)  Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program (DRLGP) for small businesses is also accepting applications from those whose business has been negatively impacted by COVID-19.

Employee Protection

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has also provided information regarding the health and safety of all workers during this pandemic. On their website, they describe the different actions that employees can take to financially help and protect themselves from the changing shape of the workplace. Employers may also feel free to download the OSHA guide on preparing workplaces for COVID-19 in the section below.

Employers may also apply for the Unemployment Insurance Work Sharing Program implemented from the EDD. This will aid those whose hours and wages have been reduced receive unemployment insurance benefits, keep their current jobs, and reduce their risk for financial strain. This program will also help employers keep their current employees and reduce the need to layoff their workers.

Downloadable Tools

Loan Packaging Funding Checklist

A checklist of required documents to submit to our lending partners.

SBDC Projection Model Template

This spreadsheet is for start-up businesses to use for projections.

COVID-19: How to Keep Your Restaurant Running and Successful

This guide help you streamline restaurant operations given the new reality we’re currently facing.

5 Strategies to Keep Your Business Healthy During Interruptions

Here are five tips you can implement to keep your business running during interruptions.

EIDL FAQ Resource Guide

Read up on the most frequently asked questions regarding the Economic Impact Disaster Loan.

SBA Paycheck Protection Program Loan (PPPL) Worksheet & Data Needed

Our spreadsheet will estimate the loan amount you can receive and includes the data needed.

Restaurant Reopening Guide

Steps to reopen your restaurant safely for your employees and customers.

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