Resources and Information for Washingtonians and Small Businesses Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis

Resources and Information for Washingtonians and Small Businesses Navigating the COVID-19 Crisis

The information below provides an overview of the current federal, state, and local resources available to small businesses throughout Washington. We will be updating the information on this webpage, as well as on our social media platforms, as additional assistance and resources are announced.

COVID-19 Relief Legislation

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion economic recovery package to help speed vaccine distribution and provide critical support to families, small businesses, and health care providers in the fight against the ongoing pandemic. 

Among other provisions, the American Rescue Plan contains $20 billion in funding for vaccine distribution and administration, $1,400 stimulus payments for millions of Americans, enhanced unemployment benefits through September 6, and increased funding for a number of programs that were established in the CARES Act (enacted into law 03/27/2020) and expanded on in the COVID-19 relief bill enacted into law in December.

A section-by-section summary of the American Rescue Plan is available HERE.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

The American Rescue Plan (ARP) extends all unemployment insurance programs until September 6, 2021, and increases the total number of weeks a recipient may receive unemployment benefits to 79 weeks. Specifically, the legislation: 

  • Provides enhanced unemployment insurance benefits through the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) program at the current amount of $300 per week to supplement all state and federal unemployment benefits until September 6.
  • Extends the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which provides continued unemployment assistance to the self-employed, freelancers, gig workers, part-time workers, and other individuals who would not otherwise qualify for state unemployment insurance and who lost work due to one of several COVID-19 related causes, until September 6. 
  • Extends the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, which provides 25 additional weeks of federally-funded benefits to workers who have exhausted their regular state unemployment benefit, until September 6. 

For more information on support for unemployed Washingtonians in the COVID-19 relief packages, visit: https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/covid-19 

To file for unemployment benefits, visit https://www.esd.wa.gov/unemployment, or call (800) 318-6022.

DIRECT PAYMENTS

The ARP also provides $1,400 direct Economic Impact Payments for eligible individuals (in addition to the $600 payments enacted in December). The payments phase out for individuals making between $75,000 and $80,000, or married couples filing jointly who make between $150,000 and $160,000.

For more information and to track the status of your Economic Impact Payment, use the “Get My Payment” tool at: https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment 

RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND GRANT PROGRAM

The ARP creates a new grant program called the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Hard hit restaurants, bars, breweries, food trucks and caterers will be able to apply for grants that can be used to cover operating expenses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SBA has not yet started accepting applications for this program. This site will be updated once an application link becomes available.

ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS (EIDLs) AND ADVANCE GRANTS

Small businesses and nonprofits across Washington state can apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), which are low-interest loans of up to $150,000. The COVID-19 relief bill extends the deadline to apply for these loans to December 31, 2021.

The bill also includes $15 billion for EIDL Advance grants. Small businesses and nonprofits in low-income communities that have suffered an economic loss of more than 30% and have 300 or fewer employees are eligible to receive these $10,000 grants, which do not have to be repaid. Any small business or nonprofit in a low-income community that previously received an EIDL Advance grant is also eligible to receive the full $10,000 if their award was less in the first round of grants.

Applicants do not need to take action at the time, the SBA will reach out to those who qualify. For more information, visit: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/covid-19-economic-injury-disaster-loans#section-header-6 

A Small Business Owners Guide to the relief bill with FAQs about EIDLs and EIDL Advance grants is available HERE.

PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM

The ARP also expands eligibility for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to certain nonprofits and digital news publishers. The Paycheck Protection Program is administered through the Small Business Administration (SBA). A Small Business Owners Guide with FAQs about PPP is available HERE. 

LIVE MUSIC VENUES, THEATERS, AND MUSEUMS

Shuttered Venue Operators Grants (SVOG) are available for live venues, independent movie theaters, and cultural institutions such as museums. Eligible applicants may qualify for grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue. The maximum amount available for a single grant award is $10 million. More information on the SVOG program is available HERE.

SBA will accept applications beginning April 8. This site will be updated once an application link becomes available. A Small Business Owners Guide to the relief bill that includes FAQs about the SVO grants (also called Save Our Stages, or SOS, grants) is available HERE.

RENTAL ASSISTANCE

This legislation will provide Washington state with more funding resources for rent and utility assistance through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, run by the U.S. Treasury Department. The program targets households impacted by COVID that are struggling to make the rent and may have past due rent compounding on itself. Families will be able to utilize this assistance for past due rent, future rent payments, as well as utility and energy expenses. 

Funds will be administered through the state and counties. This site will be updated when more information on how to apply becomes available.

An eviction moratorium in Washington state is in place through June 30, 2021. 

AEROSPACE SUPPLY CHAIN PAYROLL SUPPORT PROGRAM

The American Rescue Plan included a program authored by Senator Cantwell called the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Act to protect the aerospace supply chain workforce. The U.S. Department of Transportation has not yet released guidance or set up a portal for applications. We will update this page when the guidance is released and the portal is open for applications.

 Overview

  • The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will administer the payroll support program to ensure the continued retention, rehire, or recall of aerospace supply chain workers.
  • Under the program, an aerospace supply chain company could receive up to six months of payroll assistance, for up to 50% of payroll costs for 1/4th of the company’s workforce (1/8th of a company’s annual payroll costs).

Eligible Employee Groups

  • The payroll support grant covers up to 25% of the aerospace supply chain company’s workforce as of April 1, 2020.
  • Eligible employees are those U.S. employees engaged in aviation manufacturing activities and excludes employees with a total compensation level of $200,000 or more per year.

Eligible Employers

  • In order to qualify, an employer must demonstrate that there is a need based upon (1) having involuntarily furloughed or laid off 10 percent of its workforce or (2) having experienced at least a 15 percent decline in revenues between 2020, as compared to 2019.
  • Eligible employers are aviation manufacturing companies that: (1) are actively manufacturing an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller, or a component, part, or systems of an aircraft or aircraft engine under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) production approval; (2) hold an FAA certificate for maintenance, repair, and overhaul of aircraft, aircraft engines, components, or propellers; or (3) operates a process certified to SAE AS 9100 related to the design, development or provision of aviation products and services.
  • Eligible companies are those that have significant operations in, and a majority of its employees engaged in aviation manufacturing activities and services, or maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities and services based in the United States. “Significant” is left undefined in this bill in order to reach more tier 2-3 suppliers, and further elaboration is subject to DOT administration of the program.

Ineligibility

  • In order to prevent overlap with other CARES relief programs, employers are ineligible if they: (1) received the Employee Retention Credit in the preceding quarter (e.g., first quarter of 2021); (2) received Treasury’s Payroll Support Program relief for aviation entities; or (3) are expending financial assistance under the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses, as of the date of application.

Washington state COVID-19 Resources: 

The Washington state Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has a comprehensive list of financial resources available to Washingtonians impacted by the pandemic, including mortgage assistance, help with rent payments and student loans, food and medical assistance, utilities assistance, and more. That list is available at: https://dfi.wa.gov/coronavirus/financial-resources 

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will administer COVID-19 relief programs for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits.

Washington SBA Offices

These are the local offices of the Small Business Administration. Local SBA offices offer many small business loan and assistance programs and are currently helping small businesses understand how to access and apply for the capital they need.    

  • SBA Seattle Office (covers Western Washington):
    • Office email: infosdo@sba.gov
    • Office phone: 206-553-7310
  • SBA Spokane Branch Office (covers Eastern Washington):
    • Office email: infosdo@sba.gov
    • Office phone: 509-353-2800
  • SBA Portland Office (covers Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties):
    • Office email: pdxhelp@sba.gov
    • Office phone: 503-326-2682

Washington Small Business Development Center

Washington SBDC business advisors are available to provide information and assistance on SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans and other relief programs and to help you navigate the economic impacts caused by COVID-19.

  • Phone: 509-358-7765
  • Email: info@wsbdc.org
  • Twitter: @wsbdc
  • Facebook: @washingtonsbdc

The Washington SBDC is also conducting free webinars for small business owners on creating business resiliency plans. These webinars include a robust question and answer session: https://wsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events

Seattle Small Business Resources: 

COVID-19 Resources from Seattle Mayor's Office: http://www.seattle.gov/mayor/covid-19#business

Spokane Small Business Resources:

Resources from City of Spokane Website: https://my.spokanecity.org/economicdevelopment/small-business-resources/