Payment Protection Program Update
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), forgivable loan program designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll.
Under the recent end-of-year pandemic relief package, the federal government has replenished funding for the PPP loans and made changes to the program.
If a business already has an existing PPP loan, the new legislation has:
- Changed IRS rules on deductible expenses
- Simplified applications for loans under $150,000
- Expanded the list of qualifying expenses for loan forgiveness
- Modified other loan forgiveness criteria
- See the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans for more details.
If a business has exhausted a PPP loan, a business can apply for a “second draw” PPP loan:
- The “second draw” program is open to small businesses, non-profits, sole proprietors, and independent contractors who have exhausted their initial PPP loan. The program will make new loans through March 31, 2021 or until the new funding is exhausted
- Eligibility:
- Fewer than 300 employees AND
- Has experienced a greater than 25% reduction in gross receipts during the first, second, third, OR fourth quarter in 2020 relative to the same quarter in 2019
- Loan amount:
- A maximum loan is the average monthly payroll costs for the entity during the 12 months prior to the loan or, at the election of the borrower, 2019 multiplied by 2.5 (or 3.5 for employers in the accommodation and foodservice industry). Seasonal employers can use average monthly payroll costs for a 12-week period between February 15, 2019 and February 15, 2020
- Loans can not exceed $2 million
- See the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans for more details
If a business is applying for its first PPP loan:
- The program is open until March 31, 2020
- PPP loan eligibility is expanded to 501(c)(6) organizations, local news media organizations, and housing cooperatives
- See the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans for more details
EIDL Grants Update
The new law reopens the $10,000 EIDL grant program with priority given to businesses with less than 300 employees, located in low-income neighborhoods, that have experienced a 30% reduction in gross receipts during any 8-week period between March 2 and December 31.
- See the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Guide to Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Loans for more details
If a business has questions about these programs or needs help applying for the financial resources, contact the Washington Small Business Development Centers at washington@wsbdc.org or (833) 492-7232. The WSBDC provides no-cost, confidential, one-on-one virtual business counseling to businesses from certified business advisors.
Other Financial Resources
- The U.S. Small Business Administration has COVID-19 funding options including EIDL loans, SBA Express Bridge Loans, and SBA debt relief programs. Need help navigating lending products? Contact the WSBDC for free, one-on-one, confidential business advising from a certified business advisor.
Business Assistance
- The Washington State Small Business Development Center offers free, one-on-one, confidential business advising to business owners and maintains a COVID-19 updates and resources list
- The Communities Rise COVID-19 Small Business and Nonprofit Legal Clinic offers free legal advice during a 45-minute remote consultation with a volunteer attorney. Complete the intake form to schedule an appointment
Resources by Industry
- Tourism and Hospitality: Washington Hospitality Association COVID-19 lodging and hospitality resources
- Manufacturing: Impact Washington COVID-19 manufacturing industry resources
- Fishing and Seafood: Sea Grant Washington COVID-19 seafood industry resources
- General Business: Association of Washington Business COVID-19 resources
This information was updated on December 30, 2020.
