COVID-19 Resources

Assemblymember Sabrina Cervantes, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Jobs, asked committee staff to develop and maintain a webpage to provide small businesses, entrepreneurs, workers, and economic and workforce development professionals with the resources they may need in responding to COVID-19 challenges. 

Federal and State Government Resources

Guidelines for Re-Opening

Resources to Help Businesses Re-Open and Recover

  • California has launched a new Small Business and Employer page for the main state COVID-19-disaster page.  On this page, there are links to a wide range of resources including information on accessing capital and updates on tax requirements. 
  • The California Office of the Small Business Advocate is available to help businesses identify resources and obtain answers to key questions (to the extent known).  Their new website includes information on grants, loans, government contracting, permitting, and other resources to assist small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.   
  • Need help identifying and accessing resources and want to talk with someone directly?  The state and federal government support over 90 local technical assistance centers where small businesses and nonprofit organizations can access free one-on-one counseling, workshops, and up-to-date information on resources available.  Checkout this California TA Providers Guide to connect to over 70 state- and federally-funded business assistance centers.   
  • GO-Biz is maintaining a COVID-19 resource webpage with links to the IBank, Labor and Workforce Agency, Franchise Tax Board, and Department of Tax and Fee Managementhttps://business.ca.gov/coronavirus-2019
  • USDA Rural Development has launched a COVID-19 resource page, provides a broad range of resources from affordable housing, business development, to utilities.  This document summarizes USDA Rural Development program changes to help rural businesses during the pandemic. 
  • The US Small Business Administration has a resource page, which includes information about small business funding options.  Small businesses interested in federal contracting will find SBA resources accessed through this webpage.  
  • COVID-19 Medical Supply Donations:  Individuals, businesses, and nonprofits who are interested in producing medical supplies can connect with the state through this site:  https://covid19supplies.ca.gov/

Special State and Federal Tax Filing and Other Provisions

Accessing Capital - Public and Private Financial Resources

State Programs:  California’s Small Business Finance Center provides small businesses access to a range of financial products, including the Small Business Loan Guarantee (guarantee through private lenders) and the Farm Loans (direct loans to businesses).  California also offers a loss reserve-style credit enhancement program, the California Capital Access Program, to encourage private lenders to provide small business loans.  In November 2020, the state launched the California Rebuilding Fund, which offers blended loans through a statewide network of community development financial institutions.

Federal Programs:  The federal Small Business Administration activated its Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) which offers low interest loans with a deferred initial repayment date of next year, as well as a range of other disaster and non-disaster loan programs.  The EIDL program is closed to new applications but is still accepting requests for increases, reconsideration, and appeals.  The Paycheck Protection Program is closed to new applications, but the program is still processing applications for loan forgiveness.   

Businesses located in rural communities may also be assisted by USDA Rural Development.  For a searchable database of programs available in California, use this link:  California | Rural Development (usda.gov)

Local and Other Financial Resources:  The California State Treasurer is tracking small business financial resources offered by local governments, foundations and other nonprofits, and corporations on this Google Document.  It is updated regularly.

Employer Guidance from California Labor Agency and Related Departments

Employer Guidance from the Federal Government

Resources Available to Employees

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