Resources for Businesses & Workers Impacted by COVID-19

http://www.revere.org/smallbusiness

• Applications now open.
• The City of Revere is now offering working capital grants of up to $10,000 to Revere small businesses negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Funding is limited, and eligibility requirements and conditions apply.
• These working capital grants are limited to following business expenses: lease or mortgage payments, utility payments, monthly debt payments, payroll, and/or inventory expenses. Prohibited uses include the acquisition of new property or the construction or repair of existing and/or new property.

https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela  

• Who can apply: small businesses, private non-profit organizations of any size, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises that have been financially impacted as a direct result of COVID-19.
• Provides working capital loans of up to $2 million with an interest rate of 3.75% and a maximum 30-year term. Applicants may request a loan advance of up to $10,000. Funds will be made available within three (3) days of a successful application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid. This advance may be available even if applicants were declined or still pending. Current applicants must fill out a new application even if a previous EIDL application was submitted. Applying for the advance will not impact the status or slow the existing application.
  
• For assistance, contact SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

Related resources:
Fact Sheet: MA 16344 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Fact Sheet
PDF: SBA Disaster Program and Step-by-Step Application Overview
Handout: SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus
Handout: Asistencia de Desastre de la SBA en Respuesta al Coronavirus

https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/paycheck-protection-program-ppp

• The Paycheck Protection Program provides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.
• Highlights of the Program, authorized by the CARES Act, include:
  • Loans of up to $10 million with an interest rate of 0.5%.
  • Small businesses with 500 or fewer employees—including nonprofits, veterans organizations, tribal concerns, self-employed individuals, sole proprietorships, and independent contractors—are eligible. Businesses with more than 500 employees are eligible in certain industries.
  • Funds are provided in the form of loans that will be fully forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). Loan payments will also be deferred for six months. No collateral or personal guarantees are required. Neither the government nor lenders will charge small businesses any fees.
  • PPP loans, unlike EIDL loans, are processed through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating. A list of participating lenders as well as additional information and full terms can be found at www.sba.gov.

https://www.sba.gov/partners/lenders/7a-loan-program/pilot-loan-programs 

• The EBL Pilot Program authorizes SBA Express Lenders to provide expedited SBA-guaranteed bridge loan financing.
• Effective March 25, 2020, SBA expanded program eligibility to include small businesses nationwide adversely impacted under the President's COVID-19 Emergency Declaration.
• For more information on the EBL Program and eligibility requirements: Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program Guide.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-resources-and-guidance-for-businesses#technical-assistance-resources-for-small-businesses-

https://www.covidreliefcoalition.com/en

• A coalition of law firms, nonprofits, and governmental agencies in Massachusetts has joined forces to help small businesses in the greater Boston area access emergency loans and other sources of relief.
• Visit website to submit a form requesting pro-bono (free) legal assistance for your small business or nonprofit.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-resources-and-guidance-for-businesses

• For the most up-to-date information from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on issues affecting the business community, please visit this page.

https://www.mass.gov/news/baker-polito-administration-makes-new-announcements-on-childcare-small-business-tax-relief-and 

• The Baker-Polito Administration announced administrative tax relief measures for small local businesses which have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, especially in the restaurant and hospitality sectors. 
• This tax relief includes postponing the collection of regular sales tax, meals tax, and room occupancy taxes that would be due in March, April and May so that they will instead be due on June 20. Additionally, all penalties and interest that would otherwise apply will be waived.

Volunteer mentoring program based in Lynn, extended to covid-19 affected Revere businesses.
https://nemassachusetts.score.org/ or follow instructions below

• Interested business owners may email the Lynn Chamber at info@greaterlynnchamber.com with the subject line “SCORE Consultation Request.” 
• Requests will be reviewed by Lynn Chamber staff; follow-up will be conducted by a SCORE mentor to provide assistance in identifying possible next steps, including eligibility for loan programs, preparing applications, etc.

https://eforall.org/covid-19-entrepreneur-resource-list/

• Extensive listing of resources and articles compiled by Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll), an entrepreneurship incubator based in multiple Massachusetts communities.
• From EforAll: "EforAll is compiling national, regional, and local resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses in our communities. There are some great loan programs being announced but we know that loans are not always the solution and should be explored carefully. Don’t hesitate to contact someone at EforAll for guidance."

https://www.creativecollectivema.com/covid19-resource-and-info-page

• Listing of resources managed by Creative Collective, a Salem-based business program designed to provide opportunities, connections, marketing, collaborations, resources and support for the creative industries.

https://icic.org/small-business-resource-center-covid-19-crisis/

• Extensive list of webinars and information on federal and state assistance programs, including financial assistance programs for small businesses.
• List maintained by Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, a Boston-based research and policy institute.

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf [click to download]

• Guidebook outlining steps all employers can take to reduce workers' risk of exposure to COVID-19.
• Employers may also find contact information for their regional Occupational Safety and Health Administration office using information available at https://www.osha.gov/contactus/bystate/MA/areaoffice

https://www.mass.gov/workshare-for-employers 

• Program that offers a smart alternative to layoffs. Employees work reduced hours while collecting unemployment benefits to supplement their lower wages. 
• Employers should review their eligibility: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/workshare-requirements-for-employers 

https://www.mass.gov/prevent-layoffs-with-rapid-response 

• The Massachusetts Department of Career Services (MDCS) uses the Rapid Response team for many important services. The team provides layoff aversion and early intervention services to companies and their employees for free. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds this federally-mandated program.

https://www.tbf.org/what-we-do/special-funds/covid-19-response-fund/other-covid-19-response-efforts 

• List of resources for Boston and regional nonprofits. 
• Updated and maintained by The Boston Foundation.

https://www.covidreliefcoalition.com/en

• A coalition of law firms, nonprofits, and governmental agencies in Massachusetts has joined forces to help small businesses in the greater Boston area access emergency loans and other sources of relief.
• Visit website to submit a form requesting pro-bono (free) legal assistance for your small business or nonprofit.

https://www.mass.gov/resource/information-on-unemployment-and-coronavirus-covid-19

• To assist individuals who cannot work due to the impact of COVID-19, the Baker-Polito administration has filed emergency legislation and emergency regulations that allow people impacted by COVID-19 to collect unemployment if their workplace is shut down.
• The fastest way to file a claim is to apply for unemployment benefits online. People with special needs, disabilities, or language difficulties can use this form to contact DUA.

https://www.mass.gov/alerts/important-unemployment-information

• For the most updated information for expediting unemployment insurance claims, visit this page for instructions. The quickest way to file a successful unemployment claim is through the UI online portal (click page for link).
• On March 19, Governor Baker signed S.2599 to provide unemployment assistance to workers impacted by COVID-19. This legislation will allow new claims to be paid more quickly by waiving the one week waiting period for unemployment benefits.

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-pandemic-unemployment-assistance

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are unable to work because of a COVID-19-related reason but are not eligible for regular or extended unemployment benefits.
• You should apply for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance retroactive to your first week of total or partial unemployment. Most regular UI claims are processed within 21-28 days after filing, and many are processed within the first week of filing.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ecd_zgIQIQut1pT7VxVboeMcTbs94fuNEB7wG81_nYE/edit

• From the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH): COVID-19 TOOLKIT FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS: Health and Safety Protections and How to Make Them Happen
• This guide was compiled by the MassCOSH Health Tech Committee, a committee of occupational health and safety experts, and is updated regularly to reflect the most recent information available in the field.

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-masshealth-the-health-safety-net-or-the-childrens-medical-security-plan 

• Instructions on how to apply for MassHealth public health insurance.

https://www.frontlinema.org/

• Extensive information on Covid-19, healthcare, emergency assistance, and other resources for Massachusetts' frontline workers.
• An initiative of the Office of the Attorney General of Massachusetts

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/file-a-workplace-complaint 

• For complains about sick time and employment protection during this emergency you can call the Fair Labor Hotline 6177273465  Monday through Friday, 10:00am –4:00pm

https://www.revere.org/departments/public-health-division/coronavirus/revere-mutual-aid

• Revere's Emergency Response team published a mutual aid informational packet for residents, which includes a wide range of resources related to issues like access to food, health care, transportation, housing rights and more.
• The online document will be updated daily at 4 p.m. and is being shared with local nonprofits, community partners and faith-based groups, and via social media.