Individuals and Families
Paid Leave and Job Protections:
Federal Family and Medical Leave (FMLA): Employees who are unable to work due to serious health condition and have run out of Paid Sick and Safe time hours may be eligible for up to 12 weeks unpaid job-protected leave per year.
Paid Leave and Job Protections:
Federal Family and Medical Leave (FMLA): Employees who are unable to work due to serious health condition and have run out of Paid Sick and Safe time hours may be eligible for up to 12 weeks unpaid job-protected leave per year.
Unemployment Benefits:
Employment Security Department (state) has programs to help workers and businesses affected by COVID-19. esd.wa.gov/newsroom/covid-19
Chart with common COVID-19 scenarios and benefits that may apply
Programs expanded to help businesses and workers
Shared Work: employers reduce hours and employees can collect partial unemployment benefits
Standby: employer temporarily lays off workers
May be eligible for unemployment benefits if business closes
Utility and Tax Deferrals:
Utilities - are not disconnecting water service for non-payment at this time. Additionally, it is temporarily waiving late fees for non-payment.
Puget Sound Energy - is not disconnecting utility service for non-payment at this time. Additionally, it is temporarily waiving late fees for non-payment. It will work with customers on options like payment plans and bill extensions.
Comcast/Xfinity - is not disconnecting internet service or assessing late fees at this time. Eligible customers can get more information and contact Comcast directly.
CenturyLink - is not disconnecting internet service or assessing late fees at this time. Eligible customers can get more information and contact CenturyLink directly.
T-Mobile - is not disconnecting small business customers due to inability to pay at this time. Additionally, it is temporarily waiving any late fees that small business customers incur due to the COVID-19 situation. Eligible customers can find out more from T-Mobile directly.
Taxes:
State Department of Revenue is offering filing extensions and penalty waivers for state-level B&O taxes. Eligible businesses can get more information and apply online.
The Federal Internal Revenue Service has announced an extension of the April 15 tax payment deadline for most filers of federal returns, although taxpayers will still need to file by April 15.
Update: The deadline for filing taxes has been extended to July 15, 2020. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-day-now-july-15-treasury-irs-extend-filing-deadline-and-federal-tax-payments-regardless-of-amount-owed
Small Businesses
Federal Loans:
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Low-interest loans for working capital to WA small businesses suffering substantial economic injury, result of COVID-19.
Loan amounts up to $2M and long-term repayments possible
Interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profits
Apply online, information, applications at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov
Deadline to apply is December 16, 2020
Timeline is up to 4 weeks (application process)
Local Loans available to small business:
CDFI's Business Impact NW - Loans from $5K-350K
Craft3 - Loans from $25K - 5million
Evergreen Business Capital - Mainly 504 loans which are for commercial realestate
Rainier Valley Community Development Fund (restricted to Rainier Valley) Loans from $25K
Mercy Corps NW - Loans from $1K to 50K
Ventures - Loans from $1K to 50K
Some of these are more flexible than others.
Grant-Based Assistance:
Seattle Foundation has established a COVID-19 Response Fund, which will initially assist nonprofit organizations which work with communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and its consequences. Please note that this fund will not initially assist nonprofits which have lost revenue, though this may be considered in the future.
Facebook has established a Small Business Grants Program to assist businesses in addressing the impacts of COVID-19. These grants will include both cash grants and ad credits.
Office of the Governor of Washington: $5 million in Small Grants from Governor's Strategic Funds
Washington Department of Commerce: Up to $5 million of the Governor's Strategic Reserve Funds will be made available as small grants to small businesses across the state to help prevent closure due to COVID-19. The state Department of Commerce will coordinate an application process.
Making Rent and other Bills:
Business owners should reach out to landlords right away to negotiate terms of the lease.
Some jurisdictions are halting small business evictions.
If you have seen a reduction in pay due to COVID-19 and are struggling to make your credit card or loan payments, contact your lender right away. Explain your situation and ask about hardship programs that may be available. Regulatory agencies have encouraged financial institutions to work with customers impacted by the coronavirus.
Credit Card companies and lenders may be able to offer you a number of options to help you. This could include waiving certain fees like ATM, overpayments, and late fees, as well as allowing you to delay, adjust, or skip some payments.
SBA Business Technical Assistance:
Business Impact NW
• Washington Women's Business Center
• Veterans Business Outreach Center
Small Business Development Centers (housed at 2 year colleges)
These are all SBA funded programs that provide free and very low cost training, one on one coaching, and mentorship for any stage of business.
Updated Guidance can be found at : www.kingcounty.gov/covid
Call Centers:
King County 206-477-3977 8am to 7pm daily
Washington State 800-525-0127, then # 6am to 10pm daily
The operators are able to connect with a third party interpreter. The caller will need to be able to tell them in English what language you need for interpretation.
Blood Donation Centers are very low - there was an ask, that if you are healthy, to please donate. www.bloodworksnw.org/coronavirus
Contacts at Public Health:
Matias.Valenzuela@KingCounty.gov
Ninona.Bourjrada@KingCounty.gov
Shannon.Harris@KingCounty.gov
Kirsten.Wysen@KingCounty.gov