Business Resources

Sections Include:


Reopening Resources for Businesses

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Customer Outreach Tools for A&D Suppliers

For businesses that are considered Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce, and remain operational during the COVID-19 lockdown, outreach to customers and supplier partners is crucial. This document functions as a template for A&D suppliers to use as an informational email for customers and supplier partners during this time. Simply download this document, replace red text placeholders with the appropriate information and logo for your business, and copy and paste the text into a blank email.

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US SBA Disaster Assistance

  • Small Business Development Center’s COVID-19 Response Guide 
    • designed to be a practical and effective resource for small business owners to stay informed, plan, and respond to the impact of COVID-19. Download free PDF here.
  • Small Business Development Center’s Webinars on Funding Information during the COVID-19 Pandemic  
      • The SBDC is providing webinars on Wednesdays at 3 pm PST for Small Business Community on information relating to funding during the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics discussed include the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, Payroll Protection Program, and other funding opportunities for your business.
  • SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to California Small Businesses Economically Impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
    • SBA Disaster Loan Assistance (As of March 19, 2020, the entire state is eligible)
    • The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to California small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).  Read more here.  
    • Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800.659.2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
  • U.S. Small Business Administration Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
  • Is your small business in California, Arizona, or Nevada, and do you have questions about U.S. Small Business Administration emergency relief loans? Check out CDC Small Business Finance for resources such as bi-weekly webinars (Tuesday and Thursday at 10 am PST) on PPP loan forgiveness + Q & A.

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State of California

  • Covid-19 Employer Playbook For a Safe Reopening
  • The California Entrepreneurship Task Force has launched a series of COVID-19 Rapid Response Virtual Sessions to engage with fellow small business owners and entrepreneurs across our state. Sign up to receive updates and watch previous sessions here.
  • Safely Making California: A partnership between the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA) and the State of California has created the “Safely Making California” Marketplace to help fill a critical gap during the COVID19 pandemic. The program went online this week to connect CMTA member manufacturers and other manufacturers to employers who have the need to purchase non-medical grade Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
  • California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development ( GO-Biz) has compiled helpful information for employers, employees, and all Californians as it relates to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.  Read more here.
  • Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) FAQs from the State of California Employment Development Department (EDD). This FAQ  provides you general guidance as to what programs are available and what situations may be applicable to your circumstances, including Employer Information, Disability or Paid Family Leave Benefits and Unemployment Insurance Benefits. Browse more resources from EDD.
  • Payroll Tax Deferral – State of California
    Employers experiencing 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 an extension must be received within 60 days from the original delinquent date of the payment or return. Learn more.
  • Potential Closure of Layoffs – Employers planning a closure or major layoffs as a result of the coronavirus can get help through the Rapid Response program. Rapid Response teams will meet with you to discuss your needs, help avert potential layoffs, and provide immediate on-site services to assist workers facing job losses. For more information, refer to the Rapid Response Services for Businesses Fact Sheet (DE 87144RRB) (PDF) or contact your local America’s Job Center of California.
  • Reduced Work Hours –  Employers experiencing a slowdown in their businesses or services as a result of the coronavirus impact on the economy may apply for the UI Work Sharing Program. This program allows employers to seek an alternative to layoffs — retaining their trained employees by reducing their hours and wages that can be partially offset with UI benefits. Workers of employers who are approved to participate in the Work Sharing Program receive the percentage of their weekly UI benefit amount based on the percentage of hours and wages reduced, not to exceed 60 percent. Visit Work Sharing Program to learn more about its benefits for employers and employees, and how to apply.
  • Workplace Health and Safety

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Taxes 

  • IRS Coronavirus Tax Relief
  • Federal Tax Filing and Payments Deadline Extended to July 15, 2020
    • March 21, 2020, IRS News Release:  The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.  Taxpayers can also defer federal income tax payments due on April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, without penalties and interest, regardless of the amount owed. 
    • For additional information and updates visit the IRS special coronavirus page.
  • California – Franchise Tax Board State Tax Filing and Payments Deadline Extended to July 15, 2020
    • The new extensions apply to any business entity with a California return or payment due between March 15 and July 15. This includes Corporations, S-Corps, LLCs, Partnerships, and other entity types with returns or payments due during this period.
    • All California taxpayers are considered affected taxpayers if they have an income tax return filing or payment due date between March 15, 2020 and July 15, 2020.
    • For additional information visit FTB COVID-19 special tax relief and updates.
  • Payroll Tax Deferral – State of California
    Employers experiencing 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 an extension must be received within 60 days from the original delinquent date of the payment or return. Learn more.

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Utilities

  • SoCalGas Announces Suspension of Service Disconnections as Part of Company’s COVID-19 Response
    Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) has announced a suspension of service disconnections to any customers who are having a hard time paying their bill. Read more about SoCalGas’ coronavirus initiatives here.
  • The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has put in place a number of Utility Consumer Protections During California COVID-19 Outbreak. Learn more.

Consumer Protections by Industry

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Finance & Loan Resources

  • Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF) offers a variety of loan options for COVID-19 relief and general business support. As of 7/14/2020 CRF is no longer accepting PPP applications. Find other lenders in your area.

  • City of LA micro-loan program 
    • A new micro-loan program for small businesses in the City of Los Angeles is planned to being operation, with loan amounts from $5,000 to $50,000. 
  • 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 eligible for this program.  CalCAP is a loan loss reserve program which may provide up to 100% coverage on losses as a result of certain loan defaults.  Loans are available up to $5 million.
  • For residents of the City of Los Angeles or Ventura, JFLA Free Loan is here to help you or someone you know with a no-fee and interest-free loan of up to $10,000 to cover: Small business losses; Lost wages because you can’t go in to work; Child care costs when schools are closed; Funds lost due to canceled travel plans and more. To apply visit jfla.org and fill out a pre-loan application.

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Insurance

Will your insurance cover this as a “Business Interruption”? This is what the CA Department of Insurance is saying:

  • Business Interruption Insurance is insurance that covers a policyholder’s loss of business income sustained by the policyholder due to a necessary suspension of the business operations. The suspension of business operations ordinarily must be caused by the direct physical loss of or damage to property at the insured location, and the loss or damage must be caused by or result from a cause of loss or peril covered by the applicable policy.
  • We know that the COVID-19 crisis is affecting millions of business owners and workers, and Commissioner Lara is working with Governor Newsom’s Administration, federal authorities, and state insurance commissioners through the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) on solutions to help businesses who are losing income due to government directives and business closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • While we deal with this unprecedented emergency, we strongly recommend that businesses review their policies and contact their insurance companies or brokers to determine what their policies cover as each insurance policy is different and the coverage varies on the type of policy you have.

California Department of Insurance

  • Information about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • Business Insurance
    • Governor Newsom’s March 12 Executive Order spelled out several steps that employees can take if they lose their jobs or are unable to work due to COVID-19. These include disability and unemployment insurance, paid family leave for caregivers, and workers’ compensation if you were exposed to and contracted COVID-19 during the regular course of your work.
    • The Governor waived the one-week waiting period for employees who are unemployed or become disabled as a result of COVID-19.
    • California Governor Gavin Newsom’s March 12 Executive Order states that “if workers are unable to do their usual job because they were exposed to and contracted COVID-19 during the regular course of their work, they may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.”
    • Information from the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR)
    • Information and resources from the Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA)
  • Health Insurance
    • Eliminating cost-sharing for COVID-19 testing – On March 5, Governor Gavin Newsom and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara directed insurance companies to eliminate co-pays, deductibles, and other costs related to screening and testing for COVID-19.
    • As California increases the capacity for testing, consumers should contact their doctor and state and local public health agency for more information. Consumers with concerns or complaints about accessing care for COVID‑19 under their health insurance policy may also contact the Department’s Consumer Hotline at 1-800-927-4357 or file a Request for Assistance online.
    • Urging uninsured Californians to obtain insurance to protect their health – On March 20, 2020, Commissioner Lara urged uninsured Californians and those who have lost coverage due to COVID-19 to purchase health coverage through Covered California, or through health plans and health insurers offering coverage outside the health insurance benefits exchange, during a new special enrollment period.
      • Consumers can find out if they are eligible for financial help and see which plans are available in their area by using Covered California’s Shop and Compare Tool.  Those interested in learning more about their coverage options can:
      • Visit www.CoveredCA.com.
      • Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.
  • Auto Insurance

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Technology

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