Resources for Businesses and Workers

If you are a business owner or employee of a business that has been affected by the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), here are some resources that can help. Many cities have also posted their own resource pages, so be sure to check the websites of your local municipality.

For the latest public health guidance and information on COVID-19, please visit the County of Santa Clara Public Health Department website.

Financing and Resources for Small Businesses

• The U.S. Small Business Administration has low-interest federal disaster loans (up to $2 Million) for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic damages as a result of COVID-19. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. More details are available here.
• The Northern California Small Business Development Center can help small businesses navigate resources and answer business questions. 
• California IBank has low-interest and state-guaranteed business loans and microloans for small business borrowers who have been impacted by regional disasters and who need term loans or lines of credit for working capital.
• The California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) for Small Business encourages banks and other financial institutions to make loans to small businesses that have difficulty obtaining financing. If you own a small business and need a loan for start-up, expansion or working capital, you may be eligible for this program. CalCAP is a loan loss reserve program that may provide up to 100% coverage on losses resulting from certain loan defaults. Loans are available up to $5 million.
• The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) offers resource information on financial and technical assistance for small businesses throughout California. 

Workforce Resources

• The Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) wants to keep workers, employers, co-workers, and families safe. What employees are entitled to may be confusing. The LWDA is trying to make it easier and create awareness through a centralized source of information with regards to topics such as: paid sick leave, disability and unemployment insurance, workplace health and safety guidance, and employer assistance. Use the guidance on their website to determine what is best for you, your family and your workplace.
• The California Labor Commissioner’s Office (en español​) has listed basic information with relation to employee leave options, compensation, and salary.
• For information about job protection and employment discrimination, visit the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing
• The Employment Development Department (EDD) (en español) ​provides a variety of resources for employers who anticipate a reduction of work hours, or potential closure or layoffs as a result of Coronavirus. For questions, employers may call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center at (888) 745-3886.

Employees of Affected Businesses/Unemployment Claims

The Employment Development Department (en español) provides a variety of support services to individuals affected by the Coronavirus in California:

• Sick or Quarantined:  If you’re unable to work due to having or being exposed to Coronavirus, you can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim. DI provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have full or partial loss of wages due to non-work-related illnesses.
• Caregiving:  If you’re unable to work because you are caring for ill or quarantined family members with Coronavirus, you can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim. PFL provides up to six weeks of benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages because they need time off work to care for a seriously ill family member.
• Reduced Work Hours:  If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to Coronavirus, you can file an Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim. UI provides partial wage replacement benefit payments to workers who lose their job or have their hours reduced, through no fault of their own.
• Layoff Alternatives:  Partial claims for employees whose employers want to keep them when there is a lack of work. A partial Unemployment Insurance claim can be used for any claimant who works less than their normal full-time hours, and whose employers want to keep them.

Santa Clara County COVID-19 Assistance Navigation 

The Santa Clara County COVID-19 Assistance Navigation (CAN)​program can provide information on resources and safety net programs like unemployment that are available to help the community get through this crisis. To get started, call the Santa Clara County CAN free hotline at 408-809-2124, to speak with a navigator who can advise callers through the process of applying for unemployment insurance, disability, paid family leave, and other safety net programs. Support is available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, with more languages to come.​

 

Tax Assistance

IRS Relief for Taxpayers Affected by Ongoing Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic (Federal Government)

The Secretary of the Treasury has been instructed "to provide relief from tax deadlines to Americans who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 emergency." Please read the grant of relief offered to all taxpayers. The IRS has established a special section on COVID-19 Tax Relief (en español).

The Governor of California issued an executive order that outlines other programs to assist businesses and employees.

Payroll (State of California)

Employers experiencing a hardship as a result of COVID-19 may request up to a 60-day extension of time from the EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. A written request for extension must be received within 60 days from the original delinquent date of the payment or return. For questions, employers may call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center toll-free from the U.S. or Canada: 1-888-745-3886.

Work Sharing Program (State of California)

Employers can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing Program if reduced production, services, or other conditions cause them to seek an alternative to layoffs.

The Work Sharing Program helps employees whose hours and wages have been reduced:

• Receive UI benefits.
• Keep their current job.
• Avoid financial hardships

More details and forms are available at:  https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Work_Sharing_Program.htm 

En español: https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Work_Sharing_Program_Espanol.htm

2021 Main Street Small Business Tax Credit II

The Main Street Small Business Tax Credit II will provide Covid-19 financial relief to qualified small business employers. On November 1, 2021, the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration will begin accepting applications for tentative small business hiring credit reservation amounts through our online reservation system. Qualified small business employers must apply with the CDTFA for a credit reservation. The credit reservations will be allocated to qualified small business employers on a first-come, first-served basis. The reservation system will be available from November 1, 2021, through November 30. 2021. Qualified small business employers may apply to reserve $1,000 per net increase in qualified employees, not to exceed $150,000. Tentative credit reservation amounts will generally be reduced by credit amounts reserved or received under the first Main Street Small Business Tax Credit. Qualified small businesses will be able to offset their income taxes or their sales and use taxes with the credit when filing their returns. For more information, see Main Street Small Business Tax Credit II.

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