COVID-19 State of California Resources

CA.GOV Blueprint for a Safer Economy

The State of California has established a webpage, Blueprint for a Safer Economy, which is dedicated to reporting on which types of businesses can open safely. California has established this blueprint with the aim of reducing COVID-19 in the state with revised criteria for loosening and tightening restrictions on activities. The webpage describes which businesses can open, under what capacity, and where based on the county they reside in.

Please visit the COVID19.CA.GOV webpage Blueprint for a Safer Economy for more information.

Additional Notices:

COVID-19 Industry Guidance July 20, 2020: Hair Salon and Barbershop Services Provided Outdoors.
COVID-19 Industry Guidance July 20, 2020: Expanded Personal Care Services Provided Outdoors.
COVID-19 Industry Guidance July 9, 2020: Restaurants providing outdoor dining, takeout, drive-through, and delivery.
State of California field specific Industry Guidance to reduce COVID-19 risk statewide.

For more information on providing services and dining outdoors and their guidelines in the City of Mission Viejo please contact cd@cityofmissionviejo.org.

California Small Business Covid-19 Relief Grant Program

Governor Newsom and the Legislature announced a package of assistance for small businesses impacted by COVID-19, including $500 million in grants. Applications are open – visit CAReliefGrant.com, now, to begin preparing your documents. Additional assistance announced: tax relief (click here); and recovery loans through the California Rebuilding Fund.

The amount of grant funding ranges from $5,000 to $25,000. Businesses are eligible based on their annual revenue as documented in their most recent tax return.

The first round was open from 12/30 through 1/8; the second round was from 2/3 through 2/8, the third round was 3/5 through 3/11; the fourth round was 3/16 through 3/26; the fifth round was 3/25 through 3/31; and the sixth round is open from 4/28 through 5/4.

For more information, deadlines, eligibility, grant amounts, ineligible businesses, required documents and frequently asked questions please visit the dedicated grant website careliefgrant.com.

Immediate Assistance for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

The State will provide temporary tax relief for eligible businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, Governor Gavin Newsom announced today (November 30). The temporary tax relief entails an automatic three-month income tax extension for taxpayers filing less than $1 million in sales tax, extends the availability of existing interest and penalty-free payment agreements to companies with up to $5 million in taxable sales and provides expanded interest free payment options for larger businesses particularly affected by significant restrictions on operations based on COVID-19 transmissions.

The announcement builds on the state’s business support throughout the pandemic, including the Main Street Hiring Tax Credit, which authorizes $100 million in hiring tax credit for qualified small businesses. The credit is equal to $1,000 per qualified employee, up to $100,000 for each small business employer. The application opens tomorrow, December 1. A full list of existing state support for businesses can be found at this link.

Building on the state’s support throughout the pandemic, the Governor announced the following immediate support and relief:

Tax Relief for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19

The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration will:

Provide an automatic three-month extension for taxpayers filing less than $1 million in sales tax on the return and extend the availability existing interest and penalty free payment agreements to companies (with up to $5 million in taxable sales)
Broaden opportunities for more businesses to enter into interest-free payment arrangements.
Expand interest-free payment options for larger businesses particularly affected by significant restrictions on operations based on COVID-19 transmissions.

$500 Million for New COVID Relief Grant for Small Business

The Governor announced the creation of a $500 million COVID Relief Grant administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development for small businesses that have been impacted by COVID and the health and safety restrictions. Funds would be awarded to selected intermediaries with established networks of Community Development Financial Institutions to distribute relief through grants of up to $25,000 to underserved micro and small businesses throughout the state by early 2021. Non-profits would also be eligible for these grants. CalOSBA is establishing the program and will make it available to small businesses as soon as possible – for updates on availability visit this link.

CA.GOV: California Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Get help for small businesses: The Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has compiled helpful information for employers, employees, and all Californians as it relates to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Is my business considered essential or non-essential?
Financial and Technical Assistance for Small Business.
Labor and Workforce Support for Businesses and Employees.
Business Taxes

Unemployment Insurance Work-Sharing Program

Employers who are considering laying off employees due to a slowdown in business from the coronavirus can apply for the UI Work-Sharing Program, which partially offsets reduced worker hours and wages with UI benefits. The program allows you to retain trained employees and quickly prepare for when business improves.

You can apply for a Work-Sharing plan by completing the application and mailing it to the address on the top of the form.

Small Business Finance Center (SBFC)

The State of California’s CA Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank’s (IBANK) Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program (DRLGP) for small businesses affected by COVID-19 is also accepting applications.

The Small Business Finance Center (SBFC) partners with Financial Development Corporations to provide loan guarantees and direct loans for small businesses that experience capital access barriers.

Who Can Apply

Eligible Applicants

Small Businesses located in California with 1-750 employees that have been negatively impacted or experienced disruption by COVID-19
Eligible Nonprofits

Guarantee Terms

Guaranteed up to 7 years
Guarantees up to 95% of loan
Loan interest rates negotiated between lender and borrower
Qualifications based on lender criteria

Loan proceeds to be used for continuance of business including, but not limited to:

The funds are meant to help small businesses through this challenging time. Loan proceeds can be used for business continuance or to cure “economic injury” as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

How to Apply

Qualifying small business owners may apply directly with a participating lender:

More information on the Small Business Finance Center (SBFC) IBANK Disaster Relief Loan is available .

State Treasurer’s Office: 2020 Small Business Resource

(California State Treasurer Fiona Ma's Small Business Resource List - Excel Spreadsheet Last updated: 3/27/2020)