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Loans for small businesses affected by the coronavirus
Where to find free or low-interest funding to keep you afloat.
We’ll continue updating this page with resources and information as new details emerge in the world’s response to COVID-19.
With canceled events, few customers and supply chain disruptions, small businesses across the country are taking a hit during the coronavirus outbreak. You might be able to find low- or no-cost financing to cover operating expenses from the government and some private lenders. You also might be able to qualify for a cash grant.
Where to find a loan during the coronavirus outbreak
Some lenders as well as federal, local and state governments have rallied to offer either low- or no-interest loans to small businesses affected by the coronavirus. These are the main types of loans available to businesses affected by the coronavirus.
WATCH: How your business can survive the coronavirus
Must read: Can I still apply for a disaster loan or Paycheck Protection Program loan?
Yes, can still apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) was reopened in January 2021, with an end date of May 31, 2021.
If you need money fast, you might want to consider other loans available during the COVID-19 outbreak.
SBA Paycheck Protection Program loans
The SBA's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) offers loans of up to $10 million to small businesses established before the COVID-19 outbreak, with the potential for 100% forgiveness. The current round of PPP funding is open until May 31, 2021.
This round of funding also includes Second Draw PPP loans, available to small business that have been especially hurt by the coronavirus outbreak and already received a PPP loan. The Second Draw loan is available in amounts up to $2 million, and is generally available to businesses that already spent the first PPP loan with no more than 300 employees and a 25% year-over-year drop in revenue.
In March 2021, the SBA also opened up PPP loans to business owners who were convicted of a nonfinancial fraud felony in the past year or had defaulted on student loans. And it revised the formula it uses to calculate PPP loan amounts for self-employed borrowers to help them qualify for more funds.
The American Rescue Plan Act opened the PPP to all 501(c) nonprofits that were previously ineligible for a PPP loan — with the exception of nonprofits with more than 300 employees and 501(c)(4)s. It also allowed internet publishing organizations to qualify for the PPP.
Read our step-by-step guide to applying to the PPP to learn how to get started.
Apply for a small business loan today
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SBA disaster loans
The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to businesses in all 50 states affected by the coronavirus, including nonprofits and sole proprietorships. If you've already applied for an EIDL, you can't receive another one. But if you haven't and you qualify, there's still time.
The American Rescue Act of 2021 also launched a Targeted EIDL Advance program to offer grants of up to $5,000 for businesses that have been hit hardest by the COVID-19 outbreak. It will first roll out to businesses with no more than 10 employees that saw a 50% revenue drop after the coronavirus outbreak. After two weeks, advances will be available to businesses with no more than 10 employees. After another two weeks, grants will open to all EIDL applicants.
In March 2021, the SBA extended deferment on all disaster loans until 2022. Businesses that received an EIDL in 2021 will have 24 months of deferment. Those that received a loan in 2021 will qualify for 18 months of deferment.
You must apply through the SBA Disaster Assistance website to receive a grant or a loan.
SBA loans
The second round of stimulus funding also made SBA 7(a) and 504 loans temporarily more flexible by reducing fees and increasing the amount the government backs and increasing loan amounts to as high as $10 million.
Loans issued between February 1, 2021 and September 30, 20201 will also receive six months of SBA Debt Relief — meaning the SBA will cover interest, principal and fee payments up to $9,0000 per month during that period.
Discounted business loans
Some lenders have started offering discounted loans to help small businesses combat the coronavirus. While these loans are still rare, more may be coming soon, especially in areas where the government subsidizes or backs these loans, like Washington State.
And, while many banks don’t offer disaster loans, most are offering assistance and resources to guide you through the application process.
FundRocket | Stimulus 2020 | $1,000 | 0% APR |
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LiftFund | Disaster Relief 2020 Loan | Up to $50,000 | Rates vary depending on if you’re a new or returning customer. | Applications have been temporarily closed, but you can fill out an interest form on LiftFund’s website.
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U.S. Bank | Quick Loan | $5,000 to $250,000 | APR 2% lower than what your business would have otherwise qualified for |
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U.S. Bank | Cash Flow Manager | $10,000 to $250,000 | APR 1% lower than what your business would have otherwise qualified for |
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WaFd Bank | Small Business Lifeline | Up to $200,000 | 0% APR for first 90 days | We could no longer find details about this loan on the WaFd Bank website, as of June 8, 2020. It may have closed applications, so reach out to a WaFd Bank customer service representative for more information.
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Wefunder | Coronavirus Crisis Loan | $20,000 to $1 million | 3% to 10% APR |
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9 ways to increase cash flow during the coronavirus outbreak
Local government loans
Many cities, municipalities and other local governments offer loans for small businesses that have been hurt by the coronavirus. This list is growing fast — check with your local officials if you don’t see your city listed here.
Bexar County, TX
Applications have been temporarily closed, but you can fill out an interest form on LiftFund’s website.
Bexar County teamed up with LiftFund to offer interest-free disaster loans of up to $25,000 to small businesses. Terms are either 24 or 36 months, depending on how much you borrow. Payments are deferred for 120 days.
How do I apply?
You can apply by filling out an application on the LiftFund website.
Who qualifies?
Your business must meet the following criteria to qualify for this loan:
- Hasn’t received a Bexar County COVID-19 loan
- Business located in Bexar County, Texas
- At least 15% revenue loss since March 1, 2020
- Fewer than 10 full-time employees
- Annual gross revenue of $1 million or under
- In good standing with creditors for six months prior to outbreak
- Businesses that have closed plan to reopen in the same location
- Eligible type of business
You also need to verify the information in your application by connecting with your business’s bank account and presenting your business’s plan of action to rebuild after the outbreak.
Chicago, IL
Applications for the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund have closed.
The Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund allows businesses to borrow up to $50,000. The APR is set at 1% for the first 18 months and will increase to 5.75% for the remaining loan term. At least 50% of the proceeds must go toward payroll, and borrowers are required to make maintain 50% or more of their workforce for at least six months.
How do I apply?
You can apply directly on the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund website.
Who qualifies?
To apply for the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund, your business will need to meet these requirements:
- 50 employees or less
- Annual revenue of $3 million or less
- Decrease in revenue of at least 25% due to the coronavirus
- Located in the City of Chicago
- At least one year in business
Corpus Christi, TX
Applications have been temporarily closed, but you can fill out an interest form on LiftFund’s website.
The City of Corpus Christi has launched a Disaster Relief Loan program in partnership with microlender LiftFund. Businesses can borrow up to $25,000 at 0% interest with terms from 24 to 36 months, depending on the size of the loan. Payments are deferred for 120 days.
How do I apply?
You can apply by filling out an application on the LiftFund website.
Who qualifies?
Your business must meet the following requirements to qualify for this loan program:
- At least 15% revenue loss since March 1, 2020
- No more than $1.5 million in annual gross revenue
- Business located in Corpus Christi, Texas
- Closed businesses plan on reopening in the same location
- In good standing with creditors for six months before outbreak
You’ll also need to verify your application by connecting with your bank account and presenting a plan of action to deal with the outbreak.
Denver, CO
Denver partnered with CEDS Finance to create the Denver Microlending Program, which offers business loans between $5,000 and $50,000 with terms up to five years.
How do I apply?
You can fill out the intake form on CEDS Finance’s website.
Who qualifies?
The Denver Microlending Program has two main requirements:
- Gross annual revenue of $1 million or less
- Certified by Denver’s Division of Small Business Opportunity (DSBO)
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles launched the City of LA Small Business Emergency Microloan Program to help small businesses deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. Businesses can borrow between $5,000 and $20,000.
There are two types of loans, depending on your business type:
- Microenterprises that are either low income or provide low-income jobs. These come with 0% interest with terms from six months to one year.
- Small businesses that offer low-income jobs. These come with interest rates from 3% to 5% and terms up to five years.
How do I apply?
You can apply online through the City of LA’s website. You’ll need to submit the following documents along with your application:
- Most recent business tax returns, if available
- Most recent personal tax returns
- Interim financial statement
- Personal financial statement
- Three months of bank statements
It also requires a personal guarantee from all owners with a 20% stake in the company or higher.
Who qualifies?
Small businesses and microbusinesses can qualify if they meet the following requirements:
- Located in the City of Los Angeles
- Los Angeles Business Tax Registration Certificate filed before March 1, 2020
- Explanation for any derogatory marks on credit report
- No debt write-offs in past 12 months
- Loan must help business retain jobs
If you or another owner have bad credit, you can bring on a cosigner to up your chances of approval.
New York City, NY
The New York Community Trust is offering nonprofits affected by the COVID-19 outbreak interest-free loans between $100,000 and $3 million. Repayment terms range from one to three years. It’s also offering financial coaching and cashflow planning to organizations that receive these loans.
How do I apply?
You can apply for the loan on the Nonprofit Finance Fund website.
Who qualifies?
You must meet these requirements to qualify:
- 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- Based in New York City
- Recipient of New York City or New York State government funding
- Annual operating budget under $20 million, excluding government contracts
- Robust programming and services for all New York City residents
Financial assistance for New York businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak
Sacramento, CA
The City of Sacramento has temporarily paused its Small Business Economic Relief Loan Program due to a high volume of applications.
You can sign up to get notified when the program is available again on the Sacramento City website. You can get more information about relief available to your business by calling 916-808-7196.
If you had an application in, you should have received a response by April 16th. If you didn’t, reach out to the number listed above to ask about the status of your application.
San Francisco, CA
Applications for the San Francisco Hardship Emergency Loan Program have closed.
The San Francisco Hardship Emergency Loan Program (SF HELP) offers businesses based in the San Francisco area loans up to $50,000 with 0% interest. Repayments are flexible, and funds can be used as working capital or to fund equipment and inventory purchases.
How do I apply?
You can fill out the SF HELP inquiry form with information about your business to start the application process.
Who qualifies?
Businesses that meet these requirements may qualify for the SF HELP program:
- Located within San Francisco city limits
- For-profit business
- Annual revenue of $2,500,000 or less
- Valid San Francisco business license
- Business bank account
- Demonstrate 25% drop in revenue since January 1, 2020
South County, CA
The South County Economic Development Council (EDC) is offering $5,000 interest-free business loans to restaurants that are staying open during the outbreak. There are no repayments until April 1, 2021, when the full loan balance will be due. The South County EDC will only offer around 50 of these loans, so apply as soon as you can.
How do I apply?
You can download an application on the South County website. Once completed, email it along with copies of the following documents to SCEDC@SouthCountyEDC.com.
- Proof of San Diego residency, such as driver’s license
- W-9 IRS form
- Copy of current business license
- Document showing the owner has authority to sign a promissory note
Who qualifies?
Restaurants must meet the following criteria to qualify:
- Located in an eligible ZIP code
- Open for takeout or delivery and operating according to San Diego County guidelines
- Not part of a franchise or chain
- Owners can’t have a financial interest in more than three San Diego County restaurants
- Owners must live in San Diego County
State government loans
These states are offering programs specifically to combat the coronavirus. This list is changing rapidly — check with your state if you don’t see yours listed here.
Other local loans
The American Rescue Plan Act included a few initiatives to expand low-cost loan and grant programs available through local lenders. This includes Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Deposit Institutions (MDIs) and farm credit systems.
The stimulus package also includes funding to expand support for small businesses that need assistance navigating their options. Reach out to a local small business center near you if you need help by using the SBA's local assistance tool.
Additional SBA assistance
In addition to loans and grants, the SBA Debt Relief Program will cover the principal, interest and fee payments for six months on all new or current 7(a) loans — including Community Advantage loans — and non-SBA microloans. It’s also automatically deferring all payments on current disaster loans until December 31, 2020, so your business doesn’t need to apply.
The SBA is making resources more widely available by publishing essential information in the 10 most commonly spoken languages in the US, including Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese and Korean.
Grants available to business owners affected by the coronavirus
Some local governments like San Francisco and companies like Amazon have started offering cash grants to businesses affected by the coronavirus. These tend to be smaller than loans and are limited to businesses in specific geographic areas.
You can find out if grants are available in your area by contacting your local business department and any corporations with headquarters where you operate.
Visit our page on business grants to find funding today
Use local resources to stay on top of your options
Loans, grants and other financial aid programs are changing on a near-daily basis as the outbreak progresses. You can keep up with the options available to you by reaching out to your local small business development center (SBDC).
Michael Myhre, the CEO of the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, told Finder that SBDCs offer free help to small businesses during any disaster, including the coronavirus outbreak.
“Our team of disaster specialists can assist you with preparing and submitting your loan application and with other post-disaster challenges,” he said. You can find an SBDC near you on the America’s SBDC website.
Banks offering coronavirus assistance to businesses
These banks are part of a growing list of lenders that are offering financial assistance to small businesses that have been affected by the coronavirus.
ACNB Bank | Relief for business banking customers through April 30, 2020:
| 800-862-6200 | |
Associated Bank |
| 800-337-4641 | |
Bank of America | Bank of America won’t report late payments to credit bureaus for up-to-date business accounts, in addition to the following relief:
|
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Citibank | Citibank is offering the following assistance for retail and small business products:
| Call the number on your statement | |
Citizens bank |
| 877-363-2472 | |
County Bank | Relief for insurance and business banking customers on a case-by-case basis | 800-726-8689 | |
CVNB Bank |
| 800-999-3126 | |
Fifth Third Bank |
| 877-534-2264 | |
Fulton Bank |
| 800-385-8664 | |
Horicon Bank |
| 888-343-3040 | |
Huntington Bank |
| 800-480-2001 | |
PNC Bank |
|
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Santander |
| 877-768-2265 | |
Truist (Formerly BB&T and SunTrust) | Payment assistance relief on business loans and credit cards |
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U.S. Bank | Hardship assistance on a case-by-case basis | 888-287-7817 | |
Valley | Loan assistance and payment relief on a case-by-case basis | 800-522-4100 | |
Wells Fargo | Payment deferral, waived fees and other assistance on business loans and credit cards | 800-219-9739 | |
WesBanco |
| 800-654-6288 |
Other banks and lenders may be offering deferment and additional assistance on a case-by-case basis. Contact yours to find out what options are available, or read our page on financial assistance during the coronavirus outbreak.
9 ways to protect your business and employees during the outbreak
Keep your bottom line and employees safe by taking these precautions, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Ask employees to stay home. The CDC advises businesses to encourage sick employees to stay home. And allowing all employees to work from home if possible can help prevent spreading COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
- Separate sick employees. If an employee shows up with a cough, shortness of breath or a fever, have them work in an area away from other employees, if not sent home right away.
- Invest in cleaning. Have your regular cleaning crew do a deep clean with disinfectant, making sure they wipe down frequently touched surfaces like door handles, desks and keyboards.
- Leave reminders on hygiene. Hang posters reminding employees of CDC-recommended practices, like frequently washing hands for 20 seconds, coughing and sneezing into tissues, and avoiding touching their faces.
- Bend company etiquette rules. Consider holding meetings via video calls instead of in person, encouraging employees to avoid handshakes and loosening up work-from-home policies if at all possible.
- Encourage direct deposit. Ask employees who receive paper pay checks or cash to sign up to have their salary electronically deposited into their bank accounts.
- Hold off on taxes. The IRS extended the 2019 tax deadline to July 15, 2020 to free up cash for small businesses and individuals.
- Learn how to raise money. Invest some time into learning how to crowdfund and fundraise efficiently by using a service like Founder Gym.
- Apply for financing now. Even if you’re not totally sure you’ll need it. You’ll have an easier time getting approved for financing before your business has been affected. Consider taking out a line of credit, which you can draw from as needed to cover expenses.
Bottom line
Look to your local, state and federal government if your business has already been hurt by the coronavirus and needs funds. Continue your search with our guide to business loans.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get unemployment if I lose my job due to the coronavirus?
Yes, the federal government expanded unemployment benefits to 39 weeks with the signing of the CARES Act. It’s also offering unemployed individuals $600 per week for up to four months, on top of the unemployment benefits offered by your state government.
Can I qualify for these loans with bad credit?
It depends on the program. New York City plans on considering business owners’ credit scores when you apply for grants and no-interest loans. But that might not factor into other programs.
Finder.com received a PPP loan in May 2020.
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