Guide to Services for Small Businesses

United Way of Miami-Dade is closely monitoring COVID-19 and working with partners and task force groups—along with the guidance of municipal and health officials—to identify the greatest needs in our community. In this time of crisis, it’s more important now than ever to help our community.

From emergency bridge loans and grants to employee assistance, this Guide to Services is a great resource for small business owners. Please feel free to share with your employees.

Small Business Assistance Program

Part of the broader Miami Pandemic Relief Fund was created by generous donors to help small businesses that may not be eligible for other assistance but are struggling financially. Small business owners will need to meet the eligibility requirements and provide certain documentation to complete the application. Only first-time applicants will be considered. To request assistance, click here.

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program:

Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, which can assist small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The bridge loan program, managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), will provide short-term, interest-free loans to small businesses experiencing economic injury from COVID-19. All business owners with two to 100 employees located in Florida affected by COVID-19 can apply for short-term loans up to $50,000. These loans are interest-free for up to one year and are designed to bridge the gap to either federal SBA loans or commercially available loans. DEO will work with every borrower to ensure that repayment of the loan isn’t an overwhelming burden. To be eligible, a business must have been established prior to March 9, 2020 and demonstrate economic impacts as a result of COVID-19.

Business Damage Assessment Survey:

Managed by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), the Business Damage Assessment Survey will evaluate businesses affected by COVID-19 and the impacts the virus has had on the local economy. The information gathered allows State Government to fully assess the comprehensive impact COVID-19 is having on Florida businesses and industries, then mobilize the appropriate resources to help alleviate those pressures. Area businesses are encouraged to complete the survey, as these results inform decisions around the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, the Florida Emergency Bridge Loan Program and other support resources. The Business Damage Assessment Survey can be taken online at https://floridadisaster.biz/. For inquiries/assistance with the survey, contact Emergency Support Function 18 at ESF18@em.myflorida.com.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus

• The SBA is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
• Loans of up to $2 million in assistance per small business and can provide vital economic support to small for profit and non-profit businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
• 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 without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.
• Loans have long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.
• Click here to download a handout detailing the SBA’s COVID-19 Disaster Assistance Response. [PDF]
• Click here to download a Sample Economic Injury Worksheet (use as reference/additional support for your application process). [PDF]
• Click here to review the SBA’s March 12, 2020 Press Release regarding the assistance they intend to provide to Small Businesses impacted by Coronavirus
• For additional information, please contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center: 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Short Time Compensation Program (Florida Department of Economic Opportunity)

• The Short Time Compensation Program is a voluntary employer program designed to help employers maintain their staff by reducing the weekly working hours during temporary slowdowns instead of temporarily laying off employees.
• If an employer establishes a Short Time Compensation Plan and an employee meets the qualifications to file a re-employment assistance claim in the state of Florida, the employee will receive a partial re-employment check to supplement their reduced paycheck.
• EMPLOYERS: To apply for the Short Time Compensation Program (required for employees to submit a re-employment claim), please follow this link to the Employer Login page of CONNECT
  

EMPLOYEES & EMPLOYERS: Click here for more information on the FL DEO’s Short Time Compensation Program

Facebook $100 million grant program for small businesses

Facebook said the grants will be available for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries. That would be an average of $3,333 per business. It could help businesses experiencing a sharp drop in traffic, but it’s a fraction of Facebook’s typical revenue. Facebook will begin accepting applications in coming weeks. Click here for more information.