In this section you will find relevant federal resources organized by category, and access the latest information. We have also included our Resource Guide explaining each of the SBA financial relief programs and the appropriate use of funds for each.
December 31, 2020: Flexibility Act Deadline to Restore FTE & Wages for PPP Forgiveness
Visit the new and complete Federal Resources for Small Business website from America’s SBDC, for a complete list of resources on which this page is based.
Financial Assistance
Paycheck Protection Prog.
As of August 8, 2020 the Paycheck Protection Program is no longer accepting new applicants. However, now is the time to download and complete the forgiveness application. We are glad to assist you with this process; feel free to register for assistance at no-cost. We offer a proprietary forgiveness calculator to help you accurately calculate the amount you may be eligible for.
The SBA recently announced a simplified version of the forgiveness application for loans of $50,000 or less. That application can be viewed here.
Click here to view the instructions for completing the simpler loan forgiveness application.
You can access the general forgiveness application updated June 16th here.
Or if you would like to watch our recorded webinar on PPP forgiveness, you can register and watch that here.
SBA EIDL Loan Program
Please note the EIDL Advance has been fully allocated and is no longer available. EIDL Loans are still available at a rate of 2.75% for nonprofits and 3.75% for small businesses, for up to $150,000.
Click here to learn more.
Main Street Program
The program is designed to help credit flow to small and medium-sized businesses that were in sound financial condition before the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, but now need loans to help maintain their operations until they have recovered from, or adapted to, the impacts of the pandemic.
These loans have 5-year terms, with floating rates, and principal and interest payments deferred. The program is meant for businesses with 15,000 employees or fewer, or 2019 revenues of $5 billion or less.
The loans range in size from $250,000 to $300 million – a wide range that may support a broad set of employers.
For a list of participating lenders in Connecticut and additional details, please follow this link: Boston Fed Main Street Program – Lenders by State
USDA Resource Guide
USDA Rural Development has taken a number of actions to help rural residents, businesses, and communities affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
A rural resource guide has been put together by the USDA, which includes various federal resources already listed in our Federal Resources page, as well as some specific to USDA funding, and other resources for farms.
Click here for the guide.
SBA Tradtional Loans
If you are looking for additional financing options, the SBA provides loan guarantees for businesses starting or growing through traditional and non-profit lenders.
The link will provide an overview of SBA-backed loans for working capital, asset purchases, and exporting.
Please note traditional SBA lending is available only to for-profit businesses.
Click here to learn more.
CARL Loans
The Community Advantage Recovery Loan Program (CARL) is designed to provide loans to small businesses in underserved areas.
Eligible businesses can apply through SBA-approved Community Advantage lenders, such as the Community Investment Corporation.
These loans can be used for working capital, inventory, real estate and equipment purchases, and more.
Click here to learn more about this program.
Download our Federal Resources Emergency Business Response Guide
Our Emergency Business Response Guide contains a detailed explanation of all the programs available through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
This document will continue to be updated. Click here to download.
Tax Credits & Filing Assistance
Filing Extensions
The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service extended the federal income tax filing due date from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.
This deferment applies to all taxpayers, including individuals, businesses, and non-profits, as well as those who pay self-employment tax.
Please review this article with links to each release.
Employee Retention Credit
Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act businesses with less than 500 employees can take advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, designed to immediately and fully reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing Coronavirus-related leave to their employees.
This article contains links to each release.
Employee Retention Credit FAQ
This resource provides answers to commonly asked questions for employers and employees related to the Employee Retention Credits.
Please visit this page from the IRS for questions about eligibility and how to access the credits.
FMLA & Labor Assistance
Unemployment During COVID-19
The U.S. Department of Labor informs American workers and employers of how to benefit from the protections and relief offered by the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, both part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
The department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) posted a temporary rule issuing regulations pursuant to this new law, effective April 1, 2020.
Please view our “Notices & Posters” section for required posters.
Department of Labor Resources
This specific resource provides information for employees & employers related to COVID-19. It includes workplace safety standards, common issues related to hours & wages, and added flexibility on unemployment insurance among others.
Some of the information is also available in Spanish.
Visit this resource here.
If you have additional questions related to Family Leave under COVID-19, this page may also be helpful.EEOC & Coronavirus
This technical assistance document provides information about Titles I and V of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act and pandemic planning in the workplace.
It identifies established ADA principles that are relevant to questions frequently asked about workplace pandemic planning such as:
- Does the ADA allow employers to require employees to stay home if they have symptoms of the pandemic influenza virus?
- When employees return to work, does the ADA allow employers to require doctors’ notes certifying their fitness for duty?
Please click here for the full document.
Health & Safety Assistance
CDC Guidelines for Business
This interim guidance is based on what is currently known about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.
CDC is working across the Department of Health and Human Services and across the U.S. government in the public health response to COVID-19. Much is unknown about how the virus that causes COVID-19 spreads. Current knowledge is largely based on what is known about similar coronaviruses.
Click here to read more and for a video with additional information.CDC Cleaning & Disinfecting
This page provides simple and clear steps to assist employers with guidance and considerations as businesses reopen. It includes information on cleaning solutions, disinfecting soft surfaces, and how to handle cleaning procedures when someone is sick.
Please click here to follow the resource.
And don’t forget to reach out to your local health department for questions specific to your business.Updated OSHA Guidelines
Every Connecticut employer with more than 10 employees and not in a designated low-hazard industry is now required to determine whether any employee with COVID-19 contracted the virus at work.
This requirement revises earlier advice from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and remains subject to further change as the pandemic evolves.
The new guidance states that if an employer finds that an employee did, in fact, contract the illness while at work or while performing work-related duties, OSHA requires that employer to report the incident on an OSHA Form 300.
This new requirement is a change from OSHA guidance issued April 10. For additional information and OSHA resources, please follow this link: OSHA COVID-19