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COVID-19 Resources

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Small Business Resources

OCA-Greater Houston recognizes the difficult times small businesses owners are facing across the country. We invite you to the RESOURCE DOCUMENT being compiled and updated by OCA with detailed translated information about the Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the Small Business Administration. 

Tiếng Việt  |  Hmoob  |  한글  |  Khmer  |  Hindi  |  简体中文  |  繁體中文

Step-by-step PPP application instruction guide in Chinese

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Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to help with the COVID-19 crisis


What’s an EIDL?

  • The SBA EIDL program can provide low-interest 7(b) loans of up to $2M to businesses and private non-profits.
  • EIDLs may be used to pay fixed debts, rent, mortgage, payroll, accounts payable and other bills (except for refinancing). 
  • The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. 2.75% interest rate for non-profits & small businesses with credit elsewhere are not eligible. 
  • EIDLs have long-term repayment options, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based on borrower’s ability to repay.
  • Payments to this loan start at 11 months after the loan is approved, with long-term payments available for up to 30 years. The legislation passed requires SBA to disburse funds within 3 days of verifying the business's eligibility. 

How do I apply?

  • Submit your application online at SBA.gov/disaster
  • Loan amount will be based off last year's tax returns and business must demonstrate that it is losing income due to COVID-19.
  • On the application, you can check off the box to be considered for a $10,000 emergency cash advance grant. This grant will be part of your loan amount, but will be completely forgiven if you use it towards rent, utilities, and payroll. You may qualify for the loan, but not qualify for the advance grant. Or, you may qualify for both the loan and the advance grant.
  • Need help? Call the SBA’s Disaster Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can call 800-877-8339

How can I learn more?

Application:

Guidance for Businesses and Employers

Sample Application:

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SBA Resources in Chinese (Mandarin)


Announced by The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

For those who are Mandarin Chinese speaking, the US Small Business Administration (SBA)’s New York District Office is hosting a number of webinars on Federal assistance. The next one is April 2nd and will continue every Wednesday at 12pm (CST). Please see schedule of webinars below and RSVP directly.

Ms. Man-Li K. Lin, SBA’s NY District Office’s Economic Development Specialist, would also like to offer her services to organizations that want to schedule SBA webinars for their own members. Please email her directly at man-li.lin@sba.gov – she would be happy to take the opportunity to be helpful to businesses that need assistance accessing SBA related federal resources in Mandarin Chinese.

To access these CHINESE webinars, click on the dates below:




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Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Overview

Applications open now for small businesses, April 10 for independent contractors on a first come, first serve basis

What's the Payroll Protection Program

  • The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.
  • SBA will forgive loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.
  • The Paycheck Protection Program will be available through June 30, 2020.

Who Can Apply

  • This program is for any small business with less than 500 employees affected by coronavirus/COVID-19.

How to Apply

  • The loan application is now AVAILABLE HERE and you can submit applications beginning this Friday.
  • Starting April 3, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply for loans through existing SBA lenders. Starting April 10, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply for loans through existing SBA lenders. We encourage you to check with your current lenders for participation as some will not be participating and others limiting participation to current clients only. At this time, these chamber member financial institutions have confirmed with your chamber their participation in the PPP program:
  • Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans as soon as they are approved and enrolled in the program.

Loan Details and Forgiveness

  • The loan will be fully forgiven if the funds are 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.
  • Forgiveness is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. Forgiveness will be reduced if full-time headcount declines, or if salaries and wages decrease.

For more information, on businesses that qualify

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Employee Resources


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COVID-19 and the American Workplace

From the US Department of Labor

The Wage and Hour Division provides information on common issues employers and employees face when responding to COVID-19, and its effects on wages and hours worked under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).

FFCRA will help the United States combat and defeat COVID-19 by giving all American businesses with fewer than 500 employees funds to provide employees with paid leave, either for the employee’s own health needs or to care for family members. The legislation will ensure that workers are not forced to choose between their paychecks and the public health measures needed to combat the virus while at the same time reimbursing businesses.

Fact Sheets

Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employee Paid Leave Rights (PDF)  

Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Employer Paid Leave Requirements (PDF)  

Questions and Answers

Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers

COVID-19 and the Fair Labor Standards Act: Questions and Answers

COVID-19 and the Family and Medical Leave Act: Questions and Answers

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Additional Resources

PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM (PPP)

FACEBOOK RESOURCES



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