Good afternoon,
I hope your family is staying healthy and pray that you are doing well.
Many self-employed residents from across our district have touched base with me over the past few weeks, and I wanted to let them know that we have begun to receive some answers.
Benefits and relief programs are being made available to these individuals for the first time through Minnesota's Unemployment Insurance Program, however that program still needs to be set up through the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). DEED is working with the federal government to make these benefits available as quickly as possible. A guide that will help you through the process when things are available can be reached by clicking here.
SMALL BUSINESS GUIDE
Over the past few weeks, several state and federal programs have been built to assist small businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you have issues with your application, or questions about whether your business is eligible for a program, please contact DEED using the resources available on their website for the fastest and most accurate answers. In addition, programs passed by the federal government may not yet be available — please keep checking the federal program websites for updates.
Different programs make sense for different businesses, so DEED is providing this summary guide to help small businesses quickly see which programs might be right for their situation.
These include:
- SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) – all Minnesota small businesses should apply for these! Summary of Program:Low interest, long term Economic Injury Disaster Loans for up to $2 million: The first payment is deferred for 12 months. The application has been simplified and can be completed 100% online through our improved web portal at sba.gov/disaster. 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. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75% and the loans can be extended over 30 years.
- SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Summary of Program: The SBA PPPis a new federal $350 billion loan program at SBA for small businesses, self-employed people, and gig workers to help them from going under due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If employers maintain payroll, the loans would be forgiven.
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program. Summary of Program: Congress authorized a new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program that covers those who do not qualify for regular Unemployment Insurance benefits, such as independent contractors and self-employed people. The program was authorized but must be created by the states, so Minnesota must build out this program before it can be implemented. More information will be available soon, however it could be several weeks before payments begin.
- Minnesota Small Business Emergency Loan Program. Summary of Program: Minnesota Small Business Emergency Loans are made through an approved lender – you can find FAQs, application materials and lenders on the DEED website. These loans are for $2,500 to $35,000 and at a 0% interest rate. There is a total of $30 million available for this program.
- Minnesota Small Business Loan Guarantee Program. Summary of Program: This program provides a 80% loan guarantee for loans up to $250,000 made by a qualified economic development lender within this program. Details for business are not yet on DEED’s website but DEED and agency partners are reaching out to lenders to make them aware of this new program – look for more details soon. This program is intended to incent the private market to make loans to small businesses and provides the guarantee for those loan dollars. The state is providing a loan guarantee of $10 million which is likely to leverage between $20 and $25 million in lending by private banks.
- Unemployment Insurance Shared Work Program. Summary of Program: The Shared Work program offers an alternative to layoffs for employers facing a temporary downturn in business. Administered by DEED’s Unemployment Insurance Division, the program allows employers to divide available hours of work among a group of employees instead of implementing a full layoff. These employees may then receive partial unemployment insurance benefits while working reduced hours. The purpose of Shared Work is to avoid a layoff, not to subsidize wages.
For more information on any of these programs, visit the DEED website here.
TAKE THE CENSUS!
Census Day took place on Wednesday. If you haven't already done so, I would encourage all of you to complete the Census sometime today or this week if you have time to do so. Filling out the Census online is a small but concrete way you can both save taxpayers money and contribute to public health by eliminating the need for Census workers to knock on your door.
You can respond online now at www.my2020Census.gov.
Other options for completing the Census include via phone at 844-330-2020 or by mail. The Census Bureau will mail a paper questionnaire to households in mid-April that have not responded online or by phone.
Visit the links below for more information:
Who to count – fact sheet with details
Why 2020 census data is important
Be well,
Nathan