COVID-19: SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
We know that local businesses are struggling during the current COVID-19 crisis. We have compiled these resources to assist San Bruno businesses during this difficult time.
We will be updating this webpage as we receive current information.
Do you have questions about how the Shelter-in-Place order applies to your business?
Consult the FAQs on the San Mateo County website.
Are you a San Bruno business that is open during the Shelter-in-Place Order?
Make sure your business is included on the San Bruno Chamber of Commerce's List of Open Businesses.
On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It is an estimated $2 trillion package that specifically allocates $10 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loans and $350 billion for Paycheck Protection Loans to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. After the initial tranches of funds were depleted by mid-April, additional funding for programs benefiting small business - including $320 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program and $60 billion for the Economic Injury Disaster Loans Program - was approved and signed into law on April 24, 2020.
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Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
* Forbes article on "Getting Cash for Your Small Business through the CARES Act"
* U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act: What Small Businesses Need to Know
* Small Business Finance: The Small Business Owner's Guide to the CARES Act
Small businesses (including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed persons) and nonprofits are eligible for COVID-19 emergency relief under the federal CARES Act. Visit the Small Administration (SBA) website to find out how you can apply. Key relief programs include:
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Paycheck Protection Program: A new loan program to help small businesses including nonprofits to cover payroll during the immediate crisis. SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
The SBA will resume accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 7:30am PDT.
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Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Emergency Advance: The EIDL program provides small businesses including nonprofits with working capital loans to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. As part of this program, small businesses can apply for a $10,000 advance, which will be made available within days of a successful application and will not have to be repaid.
SBA is unable to accept new applications at this time for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)-COVID-19 related assistance program (including EIDL Advances) based on available appropriations funding. Applicants who have already submitted their applications will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
For assistance, contact the SBA San Francisco District Office.
As part of the CARES Act, the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program helps 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 whose services are significantly reduced as a direct result of the pandemic.
The California Employment Development Department (EDD) will begin accepting online applications for this program on Tuesday, April 28. For information on this program, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the EDD website.
On March 24, 2020 the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors approved $3,000,000 in emergency funding to support those most impacted in San Mateo County in partnership with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation; $1 million of those funds will be directed to small businesses in the County. Through the San Mateo County Strong website, the effort is also collecting directed donations that will specifically benefit San Mateo County residents, small businesses, and nonprofits.
GRANT INFORMATION: Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to eligible businesses in order of receipt. Grants can pay for payroll, operations, ongoing expenses, or other costs associated with COVID-19 impacts.
ELIGIBILITY:
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For profit company with at least two employees (owner counts as one employee)
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Have a current business license as required by the jurisdiction
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Have an office, storefront, or business space that is open to the public in San Mateo County
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Have equivalent of 10 or fewer FTEs as of February 15, 2020, OR less than $2.5 million in annual gross revenue over the past year
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Have been open at least a year
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Demonstrate a 25% reduction in gross annual revenue due to COVID-19
HOW TO APPLY: Assistance to small businesses in San Mateo County will be administered through the San Mateo Credit Union. The online application is expected to be available on Monday, April 27, 2020, at 12:00 p.m. PDT.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION TO ACCOMPANY APPLICATION: While waiting for the application to be posted, take the time to assemble the necessary documentation, including:
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Valid business license
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Bank statements
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Current profit and loss statements
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IRS or FTB tax returns
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Proof of rent or mortgage, utility, healthcare premiums, or payroll processing document
When funding is exhausted, applications deemed eligible will remain in a queue in the event the fund receives additional donations.
Visit the SMC Strong website for more information on the Small Business Grant Program.
Corporations and nonprofits have established grant and loan programs for businesses suffering as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, including:
Facebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where it operates. The application period opened on April 20, 2020, for grants of up to $4,000 each. Visit the Facebook Small Business Grants Program webpage to apply. Eligible businesses must meet the following requirements:
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Be a for-profit company
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Have between 2 and 50 employees
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Have been in business for over a year
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Have experienced challenges from COVID-19
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Be in or near a location where Facebook operates (94066 is eligible)
Salesforce is partnering with Ureeka to offer eligible small businesses the opportunity to receive a $10,000 grant to help them through the COVID-19 outbreak. For California businesses, the application period opens on April 27, 2020, at 8:00 a.m. PDT and runs through May 4, 2020. Visit the Salesforce Care Small Business Grants webpage for more information. Eligible businesses must meet the following requirements:
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Be a for-profit company
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Have between 2 to 50 employees
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Have been in business for two full years as of March 2020
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Have an annual revenue between $250,000 and $2 million
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Have experienced challenges from COVID-19
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Meet all other eligibility requirements as stated in the Grant Program Terms
Opportunity Fund is committed to supporting existing and new small business customers who are financially struggling amidst the COVID-19 outbreak.
The James Beard Foundation has launched a fund that will be gathering support from corporate, foundation, and individual donors to provide micro-grants to independent food and beverage businesses in need. Due to an overwhelming response within hours of opening, the Foundation has suspended the application for the JBF Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund at this time. Visit the Fund's webpage to check whether the application period has reopened.
The County of San Mateo has created four signs for essential businesses that provide guidance to customers who are now required to wear face coverings to help combat the spread of COVID-19. You can download the signs from the County website.
Essential businesses are required to develop a social distancing protocol by April 3, 2020, as indicated in section 13h of the San Mateo County Health Officer's revised Shelter-in-Place Order issued on March 31, 2020.
Download the Social Distancing Protocol template, which you can easily modify to your business practice (also available in Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese). We understand that these times are challenging, but we also realize how important it is to comply with the order to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
You can also download a sample sign with social distancing guidelines that you can post at your business in compliance with the first signage requirement in the Social Distancing Protocol.
The GoFundMe Coronavirus Small Business Relief Initiative is intended to support local businesses facing financial loss from the COVID-19 pandemic. Small business owners can create a GoFundMe effort for their businesses.
SaveOurFaves is a directory of Bay Area restaurants and coffee shops that offer online gift cards for purchase. By providing this resource, SaveOurFaves seeks to mobilize loyal customers to provide much-needed support for their favorite places in town. Restaurants offering online gift cards can add their information to the directory. Go to SaveOurFAVES and click on the FAQs link.
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