Resources for Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the Federal Government, the State of California, and even several local business development organizations have made many resources available to provide assistance to employers, employees, and independent contractors.
We have listed several of these free resources below and will continue to update it as more information and resources become available. If you have questions, please call our office at (805) 755-6721.
We’re passionate about our community. Our families, neighbors, friends, and loved ones are here, and we are committed to doing everything we can to help us all get through this and come back stronger on the other side. So stay safe and encouraged, everyone. We’re in this together.
Loan Opportunities
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
Description: Potentially fully forgiven loan for businesses, nonprofits, veteran organizations, tribal concerns, self-employed individuals, independent contractors, and other eligible borrowers keep their workforce employed during COVID-19.
Deadline: March 31, 2021
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
Description: Low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19.
Deadline: December 31, 2021
California Rebuilding Fund
Description: Loan program to support California’s small businesses (especially those located in economically disadvantaged and historically under-banked areas of the state) that are flexible, transparent, and are designed to help businesses access the capital and advisory services they need to get through these challenging economic times.
SBA Express Bridge Loan
Description: Allows small businesses that currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly providing vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
EDC Loan Program
Description: Affordable capital can be accessed through the EDC Loan Program. Each applicant is paired with a top-tier financial advisor to ensure that you have the best access to reaching the capital you need. With five regional loan funds and low-interest rates, the EDC maintains a commitment to reaching underserved communities.
Grant Opportunities
Restaurant Revitalization Fund
Description: The American Rescue Plan Act established the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to provide funding to help restaurants and other eligible businesses keep their doors open. This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Recipients are not required to repay the funding as long as funds are used for eligible uses no later than March 11, 2023.
California COVID-19 Rent Relief Program
Description: Funds are available for Californian renters who have missed rent payments due to financial struggles related to COVID and for Californian landlords who have been impacted due to unpaid rent.
CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program
Description: Lendistry with the CA Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program will be opening 4 additional rounds of applications.
Round 3: For waitlisted applicants from Round 1 & 2 only. No new applications will be accepted. Selection notifications will start March 5, 2021.
Round 4: Accepting applications for non-profit arts and cultural institutions. Eligible non-profit cultural institutions must complete a new application even if they already applied in Rounds 1 and 2. Application window opens March 16, 2021, and closes March 23, 2021.
Round 5 & 6: Information coming soon.
County of Santa Barbara Rental and Utility Grants
Description: Emergency rental and utility assistance for eligible County of Santa Barbara residents that have experienced a loss of income due to the COVID-19 pandemic and can demonstrate the need for rental support.
COVID-19 Joint Response Effort for Santa Barbara County
Description: Grants to individuals for those disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the economic consequences of the pandemic and organizations actively engaging COVID-19 assistance efforts, providing essential services, reduced services due to COVID-19 and need operating support.
Deadline: Rolling Deadline
Tax Credits
Employee Retention Tax Credit
Description: The Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020, enacted December 27, 2020, amended and extended the employee retention credit (and the availability of certain advance payments of the tax credits) under section 2301 of the CARES Act.
Learn More about recent changes and how to access ERTC.
Worker Opportunity Tax Credit
Description: The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a Federal tax credit available to employers for hiring individuals from certain targeted groups who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment, including qualified long-term unemployment recipients.
Deadline: The Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2021 authorized the extension of WOTC until December 31, 2025.
Social Security Employee and Employer Portion Deferral
Description: The payroll tax deferral period for social security tax began on March 27, 2020 and ended December 31, 2020.
Deadlines: The deferred deposits of the employer’s share of Social Security tax must be deposited
On December 31, 2021, 50 percent of the eligible deferred amount; and
On December 31, 2022, the remaining amount.
Sales and Use Tax Extension to File and Pay
Description: Small businesses are encouraged to use the sale tax they have already collected to float any applicable obligations.
For a full schedule of program and tax due dates Click Here.
Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment Insurance (UI) Benefits
Unemployment benefits are available for self-employed individuals and employees. If you have lost hours or wages due to the impact of COVID-19 apply for unemployment with the EDD.
Pandemic Additional Compensation
An additional $300 federal stimulus payment automatically added to each week of benefits received from December 27, 2020, through March 13, 2021 (11 weeks). The EDD will automatically add the federal unemployment compensations to each week of benefits that you are eligible to receive. Pandemic Additional Compensation is also known as the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC).
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
Description: Provides unemployment benefits for people who don’t usually qualify for regular state Unemployment Insurance, including business owners, self-employed workers, independent contractors or those with a limited work history who are out of business or have significantly reduced their services as a direct result of the pandemic.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
Description: A benefit extension for people who have used all benefits available in their regular Unemployment Insurance claim.
Small Business Learning Resources
News and Education for Small Businesses
Here at JR Bookkeeping, we post weekly articles to answer the questions that you have regarding government aid and managing your business’s finances during the pandemic.
Free Weekly Webinars
In collaboration with organizations like SCORE, WEV, and EDC, Juliana Ramirez hosts weekly free webinars to discuss how small businesses can survive and thrive during the pandemic.
COVID-19 Resources for Businesses from QuickBooks Online
From QBO: “We recognize that small businesses are facing unique challenges right now. If your business finances feel uncertain, you’re not alone. To help support you and your community during this unprecedented time, visit our dedicated COVID-19 page within the Resource Center for information, articles, and guides to help organize your small business.”
EDC Business Resource Hotline
In addition to our webinar series, we have created a Business Resource Hotline (805-409-9159) to help answer questions and direct the business and non-profit community to available resources. We hope that adding these new opportunities will increase our capacity to serve the Ventura and Santa Barbara community.
Sales Taxes
Taxpayers may request assistance by contacting the CDTFA. Requests for relief of interest or penalties or requesting an extension for filing a return may be made through their online services. Taxpayers may also request assistance in writing by sending a letter to the address below or contacting CDTFA via email. They are also available to answer questions and provide assistance for taxpayers that call their Customer Service Center at 800-400-7115. This includes assistance if you are unable to make a timely tax payment.
Employment Development Department (EDD)
The EDD provides a variety of support services to individuals affected by COVID-19 in California. For faster and more convenient access to those services, we encourage the use of their online options, including Workplace Health and Safety, Reduced Work Hours, Potential Closure or Layoffs, and Tax Assistance.
Secretary of State
The Secretary of State’s office processes filings, maintains records, and provides information to the public relating to business entities that include corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and other business filings.
City of Oxnard
For city of Oxnard news, Click Here.
City of Ventura
For city of Ventura updates, Click Here.
County of Ventura
For county of Ventura updates, Click Here.
City of Santa Barbara
For city of Santa Barbara updates, Click Here.
County of Santa Barbara
For county of Santa Barbara updates, Click Here.
Disaster Relief Assistance
Learn how to get no-cost assistance from the LA Small Business Development Center. The Economic Development Collaborative has compiled a list of resources now available for employees and employers who have been impacted by COVID-19. As new resources become available, the response guide will be updated as needed.
Quick Response Loans from Women’s Economic Ventures
In addition to their existing Small Business Loan Program, WEV wishes to provide financial support and assistance to businesses experiencing economic hardship as a result of the Coronavirus.
SBDC California Los Angeles Network
How You Can Prepare and Recover.
Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce
SCORE
SCORE provides a resource guide with important links to assist you with trusted information.