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.

We're here to help. Questions? Suggestions?

Call us at 415-554-6134

Email us at sfosb@sfgov.org

Nonprofits click here
 

FINANCIAL RESOURCES


The City is making resources available to help sustain as many SF businesses and workers as possible. Check back for updates.

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Interested in a zero-interest loan up to $50,000? * COMING SOON *
* NEW CITY PROGRAM *
The City’s new Small Business Emergency Loan fund will offer loans with a flexible repayment schedule and terms determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay. Applications will be made available here by April 6, 2020.

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

Eligibility

✳ Small businesses and nonprofits with 500 or fewer employees
✳ 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-coronavirus monthly payroll times 2.5, not to exceed $10M

Apply
Download your application here. Starting April 3, you can submit your application (and required documentation) to a participating lender. You should consult with your local lender as to whether
 it is participating. Applications close on June 30, but we encourage you to apply as quickly as you can because there is a funding cap. Additional information for borrowers can be found here and full terms here.

Need Help?

✳ Find local assistance

✳ 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

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

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) is the federal SBA's disaster loan. It offers SF businesses, nonprofits, 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 an opportunity for $10,000 loan advance on the EIDL which can be received within three days of application (through Dec. 31, 2020), and will not have to be repaid.

Eligibility * UPDATED 3/30 *

✳ Suffered substantial economic impact
✳ Business and nonprofits with fewer than 500 employees
✳ Sole proprietors and independent contractors are eligible
✳ You do not need to prove you cannot get credit elsewhere

 

Apply

✳ Access the new EIDL online application. You can apply for both an EIDL loan and the new $10,000 loan advance.
✳ If you applied before 3/30, you will need to apply again for the new $10,000 loan advance.

 

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

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Are you an Arts Organization? * NEW CITY PROGRAM *

The City has added $1M to the Arts Loan Fund (ALF) of Northern California Grantmakers for low-interest loans to small- to mid-sized arts organizations. Apply here.

 

 

HOW TO HELP YOUR EMPLOYEES

Interested in partnering with the City to pay your employees extra sick leave? * NEW CITY PROGRAM *

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​. Apply here.

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

 

 

OTHER HELP YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

Business Taxes & Licensing Fees ━ DEFERRED

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

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.
 

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, 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.

Commercial & Residential Evictions ━ PROHIBITED UNTIL 5/3

The City has ordered a moratorium prohibiting commercial and residential evictions due to nonpayment until at least May 3rd. The temporary prohibition is aimed at stabilizing small- to medium-sized businesses (those with less than $25M in gross receipts) and residents impacted by COVID-19. For more information, visit the Mayor’s Press Releases here and here.

Commercial Lease Assistance ━ AVAILABLE

The City partners with the Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights to help SF small businesses (“mom and pop shops”) at risk of displacement with lease review and negotiation and related services. Enroll here.

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:

✳ SF Business Guidance during Shelter In Place orders
✳ 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
✳ CDC COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses & Employers

 

View Small Business Relief Program & Employee Assistance Program flyers:

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(last updated March 26, 2020)

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