We're glad you found us - helping SF businesses impacted by COVID-19 is our top priority. Read below to learn about city, state and federal resources. This page is updated daily.

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LOANS   ·   GRANTS   ·   HELP FOR EMPLOYEES   ·   HELP FOR SELF-EMPLOYED
REAL ESTATE ASSISTANCE   ·   OTHER RELIEF   ·   GENERAL INFORMATION

WEBINARS    ·   PPE LOCALLY ·   REOPENING UPDATES

 

FINANCIAL RESOURCES


The City is making resources available to help sustain as many SF businesses and workers as possible. New federal legislation was finalized on April 24, 2020 that reopened the PPP and EIDL programs after a week-long closure. We are also working hard to develop additional local resources. Check back for updates.

 

 

 

Interested in a zero-interest loan up to $50,000? * REOPENED *
The City’s San Francisco Hardship Emergency Loan Program (SF HELP) rapidly deploys loans up to $50,000 at 0% interest. Funds can be used to pay payroll, rent, utilities, inventory, and more. The loan will have a flexible repayment schedule, with terms determined on a case-by-case basis, based on each borrower’s ability to repay.

♡ Give2SF This program is funded by generous donations to the Give2SF COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund, a public-private partnership. Contribute here.

SF HELP Eligibility

✺ Be a for-profit business located in SF and in good standing
✺ Have a total annual revenue under $2.5M
✺ Demonstrate a 25% drop in revenues since January 1, 2020
✺ Self-employed, sole-proprietors and independent contractors are eligible
✺ Immigration status does not affect eligibility * NEW *

 

Apply * REOPENED *
Learn more and apply here

 

Need Help?

✺ Contact any of these San Francisco-based Technical Assistance Centers:

Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) 415-282-3334 | English, Spanish

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) 415-937-7232 | English, Chinese

Renaissance Center 415-348-6227 (SOMA), 415-647-3728 (Bayview)

Southeast Asian Community Center 415-885-2743 | Chinese, Vietnamese
SCORE 415-764-4964

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Want to access the federal SBA Payment Protection Program (PPP) to keep your employees on the payroll? * NEW FUNDS ADDED *

PPP Eligibility

✺ Small businesses and nonprofits with 500 or fewer employees
✺ Certain self-employed, sole-proprietors, and independent contractors
✺ Businesses with more than 500 employees are eligible in certain industries
✺ No collateral or personal guarantees are required
✺ Businesses with alternate sources of credit are still eligible for these loans
✺ Loan size is based on your typical pre-COVID-19 monthly payroll times 2.5, not to exceed $10M

 

Note: If you do not apply or are ineligible for the PPP, you may be eligible for an Employee Retention Tax Credit up to $10,000 per employee.

Apply * REOPENED 4/27/20 *
New funds were added on April 24, 2020. For those who missed the opportunity to apply for the PPP previously, seek out a qualified lender to determine eligibility and apply. For those who already applied but did not receive funding, check with your lender to confirm they will continue to process your application. Download your application here. Submit your application (and required documentation) to a participating lender. Additional information for borrowers can be found here and full terms here.

Need Help?

✺ Find local assistance

✺ PPP FAQs

✺ SBA Customer Service: 1-800-659-2955 or answerdesk@sba.gov

✺ Or contact one of these San Francisco-based Technical Assistance Centers:

Score 415-764-4964

Small Business Development Center 415-937-7232

Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center 415-541-8580

Berkeley Center for Law and Business sign up here

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Interested in a low-interest federal SBA Disaster Loan up to $2M? * NEW FUNDS ADDED *

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) is the federal SBA's disaster loan. It offers SF businesses, nonprofits, certain self-employed, sole proprietors, and independent contractors loans up to $2M with interest rates of 3.75% (2.75% for nonprofits). Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills. No personal guarantee required for loans $200,000 and under. New federal action (CARES Act) now provides a loan advance of up to $10,000 on the EIDL which can be received within three days of application (through Dec. 31, 2020), and will not have to be repaid. On April 24, 2020, new funds were added to this program. SBA will resume processing applications that are already in the queue on a first-come, first-served basis. We will provide further info on the availability of the EIDL to receive new applications as soon as possible.

EIDL Eligibility

✺ Suffered substantial economic impact
✺ Business and nonprofits with fewer than 500 employees
✺ Starting March 30, 2020 certain self-employed, sole proprietors, and independent contractors are eligible
✺ Starting March 30, 2020 you do not need to prove you cannot get credit elsewhere

 

Apply * FUNDS ADDED 4/24 *

✺ New funds were added on April 24, 2020, but the SBA is not accepting new applications at this time. NOTE: You can check your status by logging into your account.
✺ Access the new EIDL online application. You can apply for both an EIDL loan and up to a $10,000 loan advance.
✺ If you applied before 3/30, you will need to apply again for the new loan advance up to $10,000.

Need Help?

✺ More information and FAQs can be found here.

✺ Find local assistance

✺ SBA Customer Service: 1-800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

✺ Or contact one of these San Francisco-based Technical Assistance Centers:

    Score (415) 764-4964

    Small Business Development Center (415) 937-7232

    Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center (415) 541-8580

    Berkeley Center for Law and Business sign up here

 

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Are you waiting to hear back about your EIDL loan?

The SBA Express Bridge Loan allows small businesses who currently have an existing business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 with less paperwork. If you have an urgent need for cash while waiting for a decision and disbursement on an EIDL loan, contact your business' bank to see if you qualify.

 

 

HOW TO HELP YOUR EMPLOYEES

Have you been impacted by COVID-19 or the Shelter in Place order and continued to pay your workers?

You can get an Employee Retention Tax Credit up to $10,000 per employee. If you have 100 or fewer full-time employees, you may claim a credit for wages paid to all of your employees. If you have more than 100 employees, you may claim a credit for those furloughed or whose hours have been reduced as a result of closure or economic hardship. NOTE: This tax credit is not available to employers if they take a Paycheck Protection Loan (PPP).

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Employers can now let workers change health plans without waiting * NEW *

Under I.R.S. guidance issued May 12, 2020, businesses now have more flexibility to allow workers to make changes to their health plans outside an enrollment period. The change doesn’t require employers to offer these options; they must opt-in if they want to give their employees the added flexibility. This may be applied to health plans retroactively to January 1, 2020.

 

For example, employers can let their workers drop out of their health insurance if they have another option, or sign up if they failed to earlier in the year. Workers may also add more family members to their plan, or switch from one workplace plan to another.

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Layoffs Alternatives

There are alternatives to layoffs that can help employers keep their employees when there is a lack of work or during financial hardship.

 

✺ Do you want to keep your trained employees but still allow them to receive unemployment benefits?

The state’s Work Sharing Unemployment Insurance program allows for the payment of benefits to individuals whose wages and hours have been reduced. For more information, visit Work Sharing.

 

✺ Have you had to temporarily lay off employees or reduce their hours but expect to rehire them? 

Partial claims are for employees whose employers want to keep them when there is a lack of work. Filing a Partial Claim allows employees to receive unemployment benefits without being required to look for a new job. For more information, visit Partial Claims.

 

✺ Want to learn more about telecommuting?
Telecommuting can help your business continue operations while employees shelter in place. For more information, visit Resources for Managing Teleworkers.

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Rapid Response - Layoff Response Assistance
If you are a business considering work stoppages, layoffs, or furloughs, we offer Rapid Response virtual info sessions every Tuesday and Thursday to inform you and your employees about Unemployment Insurance, Health Benefits, and Job Centers. Register here.

 

Questions?
For confidential assistance, contact: business.services@sfgov.org or call 415-701-4848 and ask for a Rapid Response Business Services Specialist.

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Interested in partnering with the City to pay your employees extra sick leave? * FUND LIMIT REACHED *

If you pay your SF employees for extra sick time, the City will reimburse you $15.59 per hour for extra sick leave up to 40 hours through its new Workers and Families First Program. Read Frequently Asked Questions here and our City’s step-by-step program guide, or call us at 415-554-6134​. As of April 5, 2020, this program is closed and we will begin processing reimbursements April 6, 2020. All businesses that apply going forward will be placed on a waitlist and contacted if funds become available. Apply for the waitlist.

For general information about San Francisco's Paid Sick Leave Ordinance in light of COVID-19, visit the Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement's guidance on COVID-19.

 

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Tell your employees to visit our Resource Page for Employees Impacted by COVID-19

 

HELP FOR SELF-EMPLOYED, SOLE-PROPRIETORS, AND INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS

 

Can I qualify for City small business financial relief programs?
Yes! Self-employed, sole-proprietors and independent contractors are eligible for the Neighborhood Mini-Grants Program in certain neighborhoods. The City's zero-interest loan program SF HELP was also available, but reached its funding limit and closed on April 22, 2020.

 

Can I qualify for federal small business financial relief programs?
Yes! Two federal programs are available to you:

Starting March 30, certain self-employed, sole-proprietors, and independent contractors are eligible for the federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). New funds were added April 24, 2020, but the SBA is no longer accepting applications at this time. Learn more about this program on our EIDL section above.

Starting April 10, certain self-employed, sole-proprietors, and independent contractors are also eligible for the federal Payment Protection Program (PPP) which allows borrowers to access fully forgivable loans up to $10M. You can apply here or learn more about this program on our PPP section above.

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Can I receive worker benefits if I am self-employed, a sole proprietor, or an independent contractor and lost work? What if I am sick, or caring for a sick family member?

New federal action (CARES Act) expands eligibility through special Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) to include the self-employed, independent contractors, and people whose benefits have already run out. If you are unable to work or your hours have been reduced due to COVID-19 or you are sick or caring for a sick family member, you may also be eligible for Unemployment Insurance (UI), Disability Insurance (DI), Paid Family Leave (PFL) benefits under a few different scenarios. You can learn more about these benefits on our Employee Resources page.

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Can I qualify for small business financial relief programs?
Yes! Self-employed, sole-proprietors and independent contractors were eligible for the Neighborhood Mini-Grants Program in certain neighborhoods. The City's zero-interest loan program SF HELP was also available, but reached its funding limit and closed on April 22, 2020. Starting March 30, you are also eligible for the federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and, starting April 10, 2020 for the federal Payment Protection Program (PPP) which allows borrowers to access fully forgivable loans up to $10M. New funds were added to the EIDL on April 24, 2020, but the SBA is no longer accepting applications at this time. Learn more about these programs on our Business Resources page.

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Are you an artist? * NEW FUNDS ADDED *

The City has added $250,000 to the SF Artist Relief Fund for grants to individual artists up to $2,000 (to use as they see fit) to help artists stay in San Francisco. Applications opened on May 1, 2020 and the deadline to apply is May 15, 2020 at 5 PM (PST).

 

Eligibility
Individuals (artist, teaching artist, cultural producer, etc.):

✺ Must be a full-time resident of San Francisco
✺ Must not be eligible for, or currently on unemployment

 

Apply

Learn more at the Center for Cultural Innovation Relief Fund and apply here.

 

REAL ESTATE ASSISTANCE

Commercial Evictions Moratorium

The City has ordered a moratorium prohibiting commercial evictions because of nonpayment due to COVID-19. This applies to any rent that was due from March 17, 2020 to June 16, 2020 and this may be extended. NOTE: This does not waive the obligation to pay this missed rent.

See the detailed guidance on the moratorium for tenants and landlords provided by OEWD.
 

What should I do if I’m unable to pay my rent? Your landlord may not evict for nonpayment of rent due during the moratorium without first providing you a written notice, and at least 30 days from the date of the notice to pay rent. You and your landlord may use this time to develop a payment plan, which may address issues such as how much of the back rent the tenant must repay, and on what schedule.

 

What if I can’t pay my missed rent within the 30 days? If you’re unable to pay because of COVID-19 and have not yet agreed to a payment plan with your landlord, you can get a 30-day extension by providing documentation, including a letter, email, or other written communication to the landlord that explains the financial impact you are experiencing. Your explanation should be objectively verifiable.

Can I get even more time to pay my missed rent? Yes, you can get further monthly extensions to pay by providing written documentation each month. Once a rent payment is six months overdue, no further extensions are available unless agreed to by the landlord.

 

Eligibility 

✺ A commercial tenant and/or subtenant
✺ Registered to do business in San Francisco
✺ Annual gross receipts at or below $25M
✺ Month-to-month or holdover tenants are eligible

 

Need Help?
✺ Read our FAQs to learn more
✺ If you still have questions, contact our Small Business Assistance Center
415-554-6134, sfosb@sfgov.org
✺ Or contact one of these San Francisco-based legal assistance providers:
Legal Services for Entrepreneurs 415-543-9444 x217, lse@lccrsf.org
SF Bar Association 415-782-8940, cis@sfbar.org

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Commercial Lease Assistance

OTHER RELIEF YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

Shared Spaces Program ━ * AVAILABLE MID-JUNE *

The City will allow businesses to apply for a no-cost, expedited permit to share the sidewalk or parking lane for restaurant pickup and general retail. Read more and sign up here for updates.

SFMTA Temporary Loading Zones ━ AVAILABLE

SFMTA is fast-tracking converting some adjacent street parking into temporary loading zones for take-out/delivery service to support merchants adapting to COVID-19. There is no fee, simply complete this form for review and processing.

 

Third-Party Delivery Fees ━ TEMPORARILY CAPPED

The City issued an order making it unlawful for a third-party food delivery service to charge a restaurant a fee per online order for the use of its services that totals more than 15% of the purchase price of online orders. Read more.

SBA Loans ━ DEFERRED
The SBA will automatically pay the principal, interest, and fees for current 7(a), 504, and microloans for a period of six months, as well as for new 7(a), 504, and microloans issued prior to September 27, 2020. For more information, visit the SBA's Debt Relief overview.

Business Registration Fees ━ DEFERRED

The City is deferring business registration fees by four months, now due September 30, 2020 instead of May 31, 2020. Read more here.
 

Business Taxes & Licensing Fees ━ DEFERRED

The City is deferring business taxes due April 30, 2020 for businesses with up to $10M in gross receipts until February 2021 with no interest or penalties. The City is also deferring collection of annual small business license and permit fees until September 30, 2020. For more information, visit this SF Treasurer & Tax Collector webpage.
 

Business Personal Property Filing ━ EXTENDED * NEW *

The City is extending the filing deadline for Business Personal Property from May 7, 2020 to June 1, 2020 with no interest or penalties. Businesses can still mail in or submit their filings online at any time. For more information, visit the SF Assessor-Recorder's webpage or email askbpp@sfgov.org for questions.

State Sales and Use Tax ━ EXTENDED

Starting March 30, 2020 all taxpayers who file a return less than $1M, will have an additional three months to file. Check this table for the new due dates. If you qualify for this extension, it is automatic, you do not need to apply. If your return is more than $1M, you can still request an extension and it will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Starting April 2, 2020 small business taxpayers with less than $5M in taxable annual sales can qualify for a 12 month, interest-free payment plan. Learn more and apply here.

State Payroll Taxes & Reports ━ EXTENDED
The California Employment Development Division (EDD) is granting a 60-day extension to file state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest for employers experiencing hardship from COVID-19. A written request for extension is required. For the most up-to-date information, visit CA EDD’s COVID-19 resource page.

 

Property Tax Payment ━ DEFERRED
The City is deferring the due date for the second installment of property taxes to at least May 15, 2020 without penalty. If you're unable to pay by this date for reasons related to COVID-19, you can request a penalty waiver online (note: these waiver requests will not be accepted until after the property tax deadline). For more information, read Frequently Asked Questions about the Property Tax deadline along with the SF Treasurer & Tax Collector's COVID-19 page.

State Income Taxes ━ EXTENDED
California business and individual tax filers affected by COVID-19 now have an extra 60-90 days to file and pay state income taxes. For more information, visit the State’s Franchise Tax Board page.

Federal Income Taxes ━ EXTENDED
On March 21, 2020 the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020. For more information, visit the IRS COVID-19 page.

Water Shutoffs & Late Fees  ━ SUSPENDED
The City has suspended water shutoffs and late fees for at least 60 days during the local COVID-19 Emergency. For information, read the Mayor’s Press Release here.

PG&E Electricity Shutoffs ━ SUSPENDED
PG&E will not disconnect power due to non-payment until further notice and will offer flexible payment plans for those impacted by COVID-19. For more information, visit PG&E’s COVID-19 webpage.

Commercial Garbage Collection ━ SUSPENSION AVAILABLE
Recology is allowing businesses impacted by COVID-19 to suspend their service. Enroll here.

Low-Cost Internet - AVAILABLE
Please find information for free or low-cost Internet here.

GENERAL INFORMATION & DOCUMENTS


Use trusted resources to stay up-to-date with accurate COVID-19 information:
 

✺ Guidance for all essential businesses during Shelter In Place orders, and by sector: Food and Restaurant Workers, Construction, Nightlife
✺ Check if your business is essential
✺ Multilingual COVID-19 flyers, graphics, and fact sheets
✺ Up-to-date state resources for businesses
✺ California SBDC COVID-19 Small Business Survival Guide
✺ California SBDC COVID-19 resources and FAQs
✺ California ABC Guidance by Liquor License Type and COVID-19 updates
✺ CDC COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses & Workplaces

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✺ Webinars to learn best practices and tips:

Mayor London Breed in live conversation with City health officials about reopening San Francisco and the next phases of recovery, from May 18, 2020.
View the Mayor's small business webinar from April 27, 2020 and her workforce webinar from May 4, 2020.

OEWD hosts Rapid Response/Layoff Response Assistance webinars for businesses and workers affected by COVID-19 with the CA Employment Development Department (EDD).

Tue 2:00 - 3:00 PM, Thurs 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM register here

SBA's San Francisco Office hosts a series of COVID-19 webinars to answer questions and provide an overview of Disaster Loan Programs and PPP Loan Forgiveness Guidelines:

Tue 3:00 PM, Thurs 11:00 PM register here

NorCal Small Business Development Center hosts a series of COVID-19 Loan Q&A webinars four times per week until the end of May. See upcoming webinars and previous webinars.

English: Mon, Wed, Fri 10:30 - 11:30 AM join here
Spanish: Thurs 10:30 - 11:30 AM

 

Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights hosts monthly, free, virtual legal clinics to consult with a business law attorney via Zoom. Check their events page to register.

 

Berkeley Center for Law and Business hosts free, virtual office hours with attorneys focusing on available state and federal resources and how to work with banks and CDFIs:

Thurs 4:30 - 5:30 PM join here; dial-in: 888-788-0099, meeting ID: 527 839 619, password: baseforce

Small Business Majority hosts a series of COVID-19 webinars for small businesses. To see previous webinars, go here.

The SF Chamber of Commerce hosts a series of COVID-19 webinars for small businesses.

The LGBT Center hosts weekly relief program webinars for small business owners in the LGBTQIA community and everyone else.

 

 

 

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RESILIENCY FUND