Coronavirus Small Business Relief

Depending on the size of your small business, you may be qualified for certain loans and grants on both the federal and state level.

We provide detailed state-specific resources for business owners seeking relief:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• Colorado
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• New York
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington
• Washington D.C.
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

COVID Federal Small Business Help

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is providing disaster loan assistance in all states. These low-interest loans are targeted toward small businesses and nonprofits that have experienced severe economic injury due to the coronavirus. Read more about the SBA’s Coronavirus Relief Options to see if your small business qualifies.

As part of the Coronavirus Aid Package (CARES Act), small businesses can also apply for forgivable loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) that can be used to pay employees and fund other day-to-day business operations. To learn more, visit our guide to the CARES Act.

The Paycheck Protection Program

One of the most important features of the federal stimulus package is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), designed specifically to help small businesses stay in business and keep their employees on payroll. As of April 22, 2020, the federal government as allocated additional funding to the PPP. However, these funds will likely be claimed by the many businesses that have been impacted by the coronavirus. If you haven't already, talk to your local bank or small business lender about applying for the Paycheck Protection Program and to find out the most up-to-date information.

To learn more about the PPP and how your business can apply for a PPP loan if additional funding is allocated, read our Guide to the Paycheck Protection Program for Small Businesses.

COVID State Small Business Help

State small business loans will vary by state. For more information on state-specific small business loans, select your state from the dropdown menu at the top of the page.

COVID Small Business Relief: Private Sources

Some private companies and organizations have established grants for small business relief. Facebook is one such company. Certain credit card companies and banks, like Bank of America, are also offering economic relief for their small business members.

For a larger list, visit our guide to private grants for small business relief.

COVID-Related Tax Relief & Federal Paid Leave

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, both federal and state governments are actively providing tax assistance for small businesses as well as updated employee leave policies.

Tax Relief

The federal government has extended the payment deadline for all first-quarter tax payments from April 15th, 2020 to July 15th, 2020. Small businesses must file IRS Form 7004 to extend their tax payments, while individuals must file IRS Form 4868. 

State Tax Relief

State tax relief varies by state. For more information on tax relief in your state, select your state from the dropdown menu at the top of the page.

Changes to Federal Paid Leave

As of March 18th, 2020, the federal government is providing certain workers paid sick leave in the event that they are ill, quarantined, or seeking medical care. 

This relief act applies to employees at small, midsize, and nonprofit companies so long as the employee has been employed for more than 30 days.

The Department of Labor also recommends that small business employers check if their employee’s sick leave is covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). If an employee or their family is incapacitated due to the coronavirus (or any pandemic illness), their employer is required to provide job-protected, unpaid leave.

So long as employers are covered, they are required to abide by federal FMLA and state FMLA laws. For more information on the FMLA, check out the Department of Labor’s website.

Running Your Business During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Because of the ever-changing nature of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s important to set business maintenance policies for you and your employees.

Emergency Guidelines

In the event that your small business undergoes financial difficulties during the coronavirus spread, consider implementing these guidelines for the good of your business and its employees:

• Consider putting employees on temporary leave instead of terminating them
• Communicate with customers regarding business closures, reduction of hours, or maintenance changes
• Diversify your suppliers or stock inventory with an adequate amount of supplies to last an extended period of time
• Contact your insurance agent to review any business interruption policies that your business may have in place
• Prepare a plan with your employees regarding present and future business actions regarding the virus
• Review your emergency business continuity plan. If you don’t have one, take a look at New York’s Emergency 

For more business solutions, visit the SBA website.

Unemployment Insurance

The Coronavirus Aid Package (CARES Act) is providing extended unemployment benefits to workers who are ineligible for regular unemployment programs but are out of work solely because of the coronavirus pandemic. Unemployment compensation has also been extended by 13 weeks.

State-specific unemployment insurance actions related to the coronavirus pandemic vary. For more information on unemployment insurance actions in your state, select your state from the dropdown menu.

NOTE: Workers cannot file for unemployment if they are receiving any kind of direct financial help from your business.

Employee Safety

Small business employers should also establish strategies with their employees and customers to avoid spreading the virus:

• Encourage sick employees and customers to stay home
• Separate sick employees from the rest of the employees and encourage them to go home
• Practice good self-hygiene
• Avoid travel
• Clean all work environments routinely and thoroughly 

For more guidelines, visit the CDC’s website. You can create your own guidelines poster.

NOTE: Some states have issued a “stay-at-home” or “shelter-in-place” executive order shutting down non-essential businesses. To see if your business is considered essential in your state, select your state from the dropdown menu or visit our guide to essential businesses.

Remote Workforce

The best way to prevent the spread of the virus in your business is to create a “work from home” policy. If your business is able to provide remote work opportunities for its employees, consider the following strategies:

• Invest in new technologies and softwares
• Provide remote training for employees
• Establish a remote communication system
• Enforce a daily routine
• Trust in your employees’ ability to stay on track

Frequently Asked Questions