COVID-19

Seedcopa + SeedcoDE will continue to update this news feed with new developments during the COVID-19 crisis. Be sure to refresh the page between visits. You can also sign up for our newsletter by emailing mshires@seedcopa.com

Update: July 29, 2021

Update: June 1, 2021

The SBA officially closed its Paycheck Protection Program loan portal to new applications as of May 31. That program, renewed multiple times over the course of 2020 and early 2021, ultimately disbursed $798 billion to 8.5 million small businesses in the form of forgivable loans. Still available:

COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

Shuttered Venue Operators Grants

Update: May 19, 2021

SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman has announced that eligible eating establishments have until Monday, May 24, 8pm ET to submit applications to the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

Update: May 5, 2021

The U.S. Small Business Administration has stopped accepting new Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications from most lenders, informing them that the PPP general fund is out of money. The only remaining funds available for new applications are $8 billion set aside for community financial institutions (CFIs). (Unfortunately Seedcopa is not one of these institutions.) $6 billion is set aside for PPP applications still in review or needing more information due to error codes.

The SBA’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund began accepting applications on Monday. In April, the SBA reopened applications for the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program

Update: April 27, 2021

The U.S. Small Business Administration will begin registrations on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 9 a.m. EDT and open applications on Monday, May 3, 2021, at noon EDT for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted.

Update: April 19, 2021

SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced key details on application requirements, eligibility, and a program guide for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). To help bring jobs back and revive the industry, the American Rescue Plan, signed into law by President Joe Biden, established the $28.6 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA will administer the funds to the hardest-hit small restaurants.

Update: March 19, 2021

The SBA has issued several updated forms for Paycheck Protection Program borrowers and lenders, reflecting changes included in the American Rescue Plan enacted earlier this month.

• PPP loan guaranty application for lenders
• Second-draw lender application form
• First-draw PPP loan application form
• Second-draw PPP loan application form
• First-draw PPP borrower application for Schedule C filers using gross income
• Second-draw borrower application for Schedule C filers using gross income

Update: March 12, 2021

President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 into law. The bill provides $1.9 trillion in relief measures to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The law includes relief across the entirety of domestic policy areas, including for individuals, businesses, aid to state and local governments, tax changes, nutritional assistance, health care and more. There are no changes to the SBA’s core lending programs in this bill, including no additional funding for the shortfall in Section 1112 payments.

Update: February 23, 2021

Important changes have been announced for PPP, including a two-week window for businesses with fewer than 20 employees.

• SBA press release on PPP changes

Update: February 18, 2021

The SBA has issued Procedural Notice 5000-20095 detailing reduced debt relief benefits to 7(a), 504, and Microloan Programs due to insufficiency of funds.  Congress appropriated $3.5 billion to carry out extended CARES Act Section 1112 payment subsidies under Section 325 of the Economic Aid to Hard Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act (“Economic Aid Act”) enacted December 27, 2020. SBA has determined that the $3.5 billion is insufficient to make all payments for the periods originally authorized.  Consequently, as authorized by the law, SBA has developed a plan to proportionally reduce the number of months of payment subsidies provided for each category of loans (“Adjustment Plan”). The Adjustment Plan is effective immediately.

The National Association of Development Companies has updated this flow chart with SBA’s Adjustment Plan.

Update: January 27, 2021

The Economic Aid Act enacted December 27, 2020 expands the eligibility of payment subsidies for 7(a) and 504 loans under Section 1112 of the CARES Act.  This enables borrowers to enjoy covered payments, with no repayment necessary.

To better assist lenders and borrowers in understanding the expanded eligibility, a handy flow chart  has been created by the National Association of Development Companies, which is the trade association of SBA Certified Development Companies and other lenders delivering SBA loans and financing for small business. All Section 1112 Payment Subsidies are based on the SBA Loan Approval Date.

Please feel free to call us with any questions at 610.458.5700 or e-mail us.

Update: January 11, 2021

SBA, in consultation with the U.S. Treasury Department, reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for First Draw PPP Loans the week of January 11, 2021. SBA began accepting applications for Second Draw PPP Loans on January 13, 2021.

SBA is currently accepting Second Draw PPP loan applications from participating lenders.

Update: December 21, 2020

The new COVID relief bill will reauthorize the Paycheck Protection Program.

Update: November 30, 2020

The Small Business Administration is outlining procedures for lenders pertaining to the SBA’s loan necessity questionnaires for PPP loans totaling $2 million or more. The procedures are in a user guide and introductory letter sent using SBA’s PPP forgiveness platform. Lenders will receive notice of requests from the SBA for questionnaires via the SBA forgiveness platform at forgiveness.sba.gov. The questionnaires are available there, and online submissions are accepted.

Update: October 31, 2020

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) this week approved the forgiveness of an estimated $27.7 million in license fees in 2021 for retail licensees most impacted by the pandemic, including holders of restaurant, retail dispenser, club, catering club, and hotel licenses.

Update: October 8, 2020

The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, today released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. This action streamlines the PPP forgiveness process to provide financial and administrative relief to America’s smallest businesses while also ensuring sound stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

Update: October 3, 2020

The SBA has published Procedural Notice 5000-20057, which addresses whether SBA pre-approval is required for changes of ownership under the Paycheck Protection Program, as well as the process for seeking that approval if it is needed. This is especially important to small business owners who may be thinking of selling or merging due to the economic impact of COVID-19 and addresses whether they will need to notify their PPP lender in writing about proposed transactions.

Update: October 2, 2020

The SBA is set to begin approving requests late this week or early next for PPP loan forgiveness, according to a U.S. Treasury Department interview with The Wall Street Journal.

Update: August 25, 2020

The SBA has issued an interim final rule on Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness related to business owners and non-payroll costs. It revises the PPP’s owner-employee compensation rule addressing the amount eligible for forgiveness to exempt employees who own less than 5% of a C-corp or S-corp borrower.

On the topic of forgiveness for non-payroll costs, the SBA clarified that funds attributable to tenants or sub-tenants of a PPP borrower or, for home-based businesses’  household expenses, do not qualify for forgiveness.

Update: August 14, 2020

The U.S. Small Business Administration has posted rules about how businesses who have been turned down for forgiveness of their Paycheck Protection Program loans can appeal the decision, and about how forgivable PPP loans interact with the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

The interim final rule from the SBA and the Treasury Department describes the appeal procedures. and the latest FAQs are available.

Update: August 4, 2020

The SBA, in consultation with the Department of Treasury, just released FAQs concerning forgiveness of Paycheck Protection Program loans.

Update: August 3, 2020

What are the key difference between the HEROES and the HEALS proposed stimulus packages? Here are a couple of comparisons that we’ve found helpful:

• CNBC: How the HEALS Act Compares to the HEROES Act
• CNET: HEALS vs CARES vs. HEROES Stimulus Packages

Update: July 24, 2020

The Small Business Administration has announced that lenders may submit PPP forgiveness decisions beginning August 10, 2020. The SBA issued a procedural notice providing instructions for Paycheck Protection Program lenders on the PPP forgiveness process.

Update: July 3, 2020

President Trump has signed the PPP Extension Act, which extends the filing deadline for Paycheck Protection Program loans to August 8, 2020. The PPP provides small businesses with forgivable loans of up to 10 weeks’ worth of payroll to use mostly on paying workers and some other fixed costs. If the businesses follow the program’s guidelines, their debts are forgiven. Money used for other purposes turns into low interest loans with five-year terms.

Update: June 30, 2020

The U.S. Senate has passed the PPP Extension Act, just a few hours before the window was set to close to submit applications for the Paycheck Protection Program. The legislation now goes to the House, and then President Trump.

Update: June 30, 2020

Governor Tom Wolf has announced that small businesses in Pennsylvania can apply for grants to offset lost revenue caused by the pandemic. The COVID-19 Relief Statewide Small Business Assistance Program will provide $225 million in grants from $5,000 to $50,000 to eligible businesses through CARES Act funding.

Update: June 17, 2020

The SBA and Treasury Department have released a simpler PPP loan forgiveness application. 

The SBA is also introducing a new EZ version of the PPP loan forgiveness application that applies to borrowers who:

• Are self-employed and have no employees
• Did not reduce the salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25% and didn’t reduce the number or hours of their employees
• Experienced reductions in business activity as a result of health directives related to COVID-19, and did not reduce the salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25%

The SBA and Treasury Department have released an interim final rule to reflect changes made by H.R. 7010, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act. The SBA also published updated, streamlined application forms for borrowers and forms for lenders to use for loans made on or after June 5, 2020.

Update: June 8, 2020

Today the SBA says it’s working with the U.S. Treasury to prepare rules and guidance, a modified borrower application form and a modified loan forgiveness application for borrowers who wish to benefit from the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act. The new law includes the following changes:

• Extend the covered period for loan forgiveness from eight weeks after the date of loan disbursement to 24 weeks after the date of loan disbursement, providing substantially greater flexibility for borrowers to qualify for loan forgiveness.  Borrowers who have already received PPP loans retain the option to use an eight-week covered period.
• Lower the requirements that 75 percent of a borrower’s loan proceeds must be used for payroll costs and that 75 percent of the loan forgiveness amount must have been spent on payroll costs during the 24-week loan forgiveness covered period to 60 percent for each of these requirements. If a borrower uses less than 60 percent of the loan amount for payroll costs during the forgiveness covered period, the borrower will continue to be eligible for partial loan forgiveness, subject to at least 60 percent of the loan forgiveness amount having been used for payroll costs.
• Provide a safe harbor from reductions in loan forgiveness based on reductions in full-time equivalent employees for borrowers that are unable to return to the same level of business activity the business was operating at before February 15, 2020, due to compliance with requirements or guidance issued between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, related to worker or customer safety requirements related to COVID–19.
• Provide a safe harbor from reductions in loan forgiveness based on reductions in full-time equivalent employees, to provide protections for borrowers that are both unable to rehire individuals who were employees of the borrower on February 15, 2020, and unable to hire similarly qualified employees for unfilled positions by December 31, 2020.
• Increase to five years the maturity of PPP loans that are approved by SBA (based on the date SBA assigns a loan number) on or after June 5, 2020.
• Extend the deferral period for borrower payments of principal, interest, and fees on PPP loans to the date that SBA remits the borrower’s loan forgiveness amount to the lender (or, if the borrower does not apply for loan forgiveness, 10 months after the end of the borrower’s loan forgiveness covered period).
• In addition, the new rules will confirm that June 30, 2020, remains the last date on which a PPP loan application can be approved.

Update: June 5, 2020

The Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act was just signed into law, giving businesses more time and more options when spending the money provided by the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Specifically, businesses can spend less money on payroll and still qualify for loan forgiveness. The money may also be used over a 24-week period, rather than an 8-week period, and loans can be forgiven even if you don’t bring back the same number of employees.

Update: June 3, 2020

The U.S. Small Business Administration has released an updated Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) report detailing data from both rounds of PPP funding through May 30. In Pennsylvania, there have been 156,443 loans totaling $20,456,338,186. In Delaware, there have been 11,574 loans totaling $1,455,386,237.

Update: May 28, 2020

Chester County’s COVID-19 Business Task Force has launched RestoreChesterCounty.org, an online toolkit to help prepare businesses, organizations and residents as they move to the yellow phase and beyond. Information and guidance for 20 different business and organization sectors is available.

Update: May 18, 2020

The SBA has released the Loan Forgiveness Application form for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Borrowers who would like to apply for forgiveness must submit the form to their lender and may also complete the application electronically through their lender. We expect further guidance shortly. In the meantime, there are preliminary instructions included for the PPP Loan Forgiveness Calculation Form, as well as a summary of costs eligible for forgiveness.

Update: May 14, 2020

The SBA has issued FAQ #46, which clarifies safe harbor guidance for borrowers using the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This FAQ states, “any borrower that, together with its affiliates, received PPP loans with an original principal amount of less than $2,000,000 will be deemed to have made the required certification regarding the necessity of the loan request in good faith.”

The SBA will continue to audit PPP loan borrowers greater than $2,000,000, noting that “borrowers with loans greater than $2,000,000 that do not satisfy this safe harbor may still have an adequate basis for making the required good-faith certification, based on their individual circumstances in light of the language of the certification and SBA guidance.”

If the SBA determines that a borrower lacked an adequate basis for the “need” certification, they will request loan repayment and will notify the lender. “If the borrower repays the loan after receiving notification from the SBA, SBA will not pursue administrative enforcement or referrals to other agencies based on its determination with respect to the certification concerning necessity of the loan request.”

Update: May 5, 2020

Chester County is now offering grants of up to $25,000 for individual businesses. You can find more information and apply online via the Chester County Economic Development Council for the Chester County Main Street Preservation Grant Program.

Update: May 5, 2020

iHeartRadio and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) held a May 4th webinar on the CARES Act and the COVID-19 relief options that are available for small businesses. Senior officials from the SBA provided an overview of the Paycheck Protection Program, SBA Express Bridge Loans, Economic Injury Disaster Loans, SBA Debt Relief options and answer questions specific to East Coast small businesses.

Update: May 4, 2020

Farms and other agribusinesses are now eligible for the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and EIDL Advance programs. The portal reopened today as a result of funding authorized by the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, P.L. 116-139, which provides additional funding for farmers, ranchers and certain other agricultural businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Update: May 1, 2020

The Department of Labor is inviting employers and workers to submit their ideas online about reopening businesses. Specifically, they want to hear about the challenges businesses face as they reopen. You can join the national online dialogue at Opening America’s Workplaces Again.

Update: April 27, 2020

Today is the day: The U.S. Small Business Administration will again begin accepting applications from participating lenders for emergency loans on Monday, April 27 at 10:30 a.m. Previously, nearly $350 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program and other federal funding set aside by Congress for small businesses ran out in less than two weeks. Then, last week, legislators negotiated a plan to replenish the funds. The legislation allocates about $320 billion to the PPP and $60 billion for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program (EIDL). The package also sets aside funding for small community banks and businesses in under-served urban and rural areas.

• Don’t forget to go through our checklist of documents needed to apply for emergency assistance

To the President it goes: Now that the House has approved legislation that would replenish the the Paycheck Protection Program with $320 billion, it is expected to be signed by President Trump. The program is designed to keep small businesses from closing and their workers from going on unemployment during the coronavirus pandemic. Note: About $60 billion of the funding for the program would be set aside for community-based lenders, smaller banks and credit unions to assist smaller businesses that don’t have established relationships with big banks and had a harder time accessing the funds in the first round of loans. About $10 billion would be allocated for administration fees.

Update: April 24, 2020

The PA Department of Community and Economic Development announced that new funding is available to help technology-based companies impacted by the novel coronavirus.

Update: April 21, 2020

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program this week. We’ll let you know when we know more. The SBA has approved 69,567 PPP loans in Pennsylvania, totaling more than $15 billion.

Update: April 16, 2020

The Small Business Administration has issued a PPP announcement that says it’s “unable to accept new applications at this time for the Paycheck Protection Program or the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)-COVID-19 related assistance program (including EIDL Advances) based on available appropriations funding.” 

Update: April 14, 2020

The House Committee on Small Business has released the “Navigate the CARES Act for Small Businesses” guide, which contains updates and information on the implementation of the CARES Act.

Update: April 9, 2020

About 70% of small businesses have applied for a CARES Act loan, according to a report by the Washington Post on a survey by the National Federation of Independent Business. More than half of the small businesses that have not yet applied plan to or are considering it.

Update: April 8, 2020

New PPP FAQs have been released by the U.S. Department of the Treasury regarding the Paycheck Protection Program.

Update: April 7, 2020

There is word that disbursements of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) advance will begin this week, as the SBA works to process a very large number of requests. We’ll keep you posted.

Update: April 3, 2020

Changes were made to forms and program details on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) overnight.

• All current forms and the new “PPP Final Rule”

Update: April 2, 2020

Update: April 1, 2020

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) under the newly created CARES Act, allows businesses to borrow up to 2.5 times their average monthly payroll. Starting April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply for and receive loans to cover their payroll and other certain expenses through existing SBA lenders. Starting April 10, 2020, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply for and receive loans to cover their payroll and other certain expenses through existing SBA lenders. Now program details and application forms are available to get you rolling. You can access them directly from the Treasury Department. Further information can be found on the SBA website.

This program is administered directly through an SBA Certified Lender or Federally Insured Financial Institution approved by the SBA.

Update: April 1, 2020

Big news on the SBA Debt Relief Program.

If you have an existing SBA 7(a) loan, SBA 504 loan or micro loan, the SBA has announced it will cover all loan payments for the next six months, including principal, interest and fees. Borrowers will not need to do anything to take advantage of this. Seedcopa + SeedcoDE will work with the SBA to obtain payment

In addition: For new 7(a) loans issued prior to September 27, 2020, the SBA will pay the principal and interest.

In addition:  The 504 Loan Program Central Servicing Agent (CSA) has stated it will not apply an ACH debit to the borrower’s account to cover the loan payments due on April 1, 2020 for all 504 loans in regular servicing status. The SBA will pay the principal, interest and any associated fees that are owed on a 504 loan in a regular servicing status to the CSA within 30 days of April 1. The SBA will continue to make these loan payments to the CSA for the 6-month period beginning April 1, 2020.

Update: March 31, 2020

It’s an alphabet soup of federal & state loan opportunities this week. Here’s what’s still cooking… and what’s ready to serve.

Ready to Serve:
COVID-19 Working Capital Access (CWCA) 

NEW! The COVID-19 Working Capital Access (CWCA) Program has been approved with a $60 million allocation to assist small businesses in Pennsylvania. Applications opened yesterday.

Ready to Serve: 
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

This is a federal program and SBA initiative that Pennsylvania and Delaware became eligible for last week. The program remains open (with slow periods due to the influx of applications).

Still Cooking: CARES Act 
(Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security)

The U.S. Senate has passed a $2 Trillion coronavirus relief bill, which includes provisions to assist U.S. businesses. Now it moves to the House and White House for approval. Then we’ll receive instructions on how to offer programs to businesses across the region. We’ll keep you posted.

FYI, ICYMI & FWIW (sorry, we couldn’t resist)
There are more loan programs and assistance acts being drafted, which is encouraging as we all work to navigate the pandemic & turn the economy around. Stay tuned.

Update: March 20, 2020

While Seedcopa + SeedcoDE are not able to assist you directly with the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans, we are committed to being the best facilitator we can be. New FAQs summarize what we know now.

Update: March 19, 2020

For businesses attempting to apply for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Delaware and all 67 counties in Pennsylvania have now been declared eligible disaster areas. Businesses in eligible areas can begin the application process.

Please note that Certified Development Companies like Seedcopa are not authorized to administer these loans. Should this change, Seedcopa will be sure to update you.

Update: March 18, 2020

For businesses attempting to apply for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Much of Pennsylvania and Delaware have now been declared eligible disaster areas. Businesses in eligible areas can now begin the application process. We’re receiving reports that only certain PA counties are being listed so far.

Please note that Certified Development Companies like Seedcopa are not authorized to administer these loans. Should this change, Seedcopa will be sure to update you. Benefits of the loan program continue to change, even as the White House and Congress continue to review options for small businesses. As of today, we do know that collateral will be required on larger loans and the program historically has a 5-month payment deferment available. We’ll continue to keep you updated.

For businesses attempting to apply for the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans, please be aware that the system is experiencing an influx of requests that can slow the application process.

As of this writing, Pennsylvania and Delaware have not been declared to be eligible disaster areas yet, but applications are in process.

Certified Development Companies like Seedcopa are not authorized to administer these loans. Should this change, Seedcopa will be sure to update you.

March 13, 2020

SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza has issued a statement in response to the President’s address to the nation on coronavirus and efforts to support small businesses. She outlined the process for accessing the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans, which offer up to $2 million in assistance for a small business. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

Please note: To access the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans, small businesses are instructed to contact the SBA’s Eastern Pennsylvania District Office in King of Prussia.

We’ll continue to keep you apprised of developments in small business support, as we receive them.