CORONAVIRUS CRISIS:
ASSISTANCE
Your all-in-one information resource for employment, benefits, small-business assistance, and taxes. For businesses, individuals, and everyone.
FOR BUSINESSES
More information about the State’s programs can be found at
Small Business Owner Resources and Information
Information on Grants and Loans available to Small Business Owners facing hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Federal Small Business Administration, Application for Disaster Loan:
https://www.sba.gov/disaster/apply-for-disaster-loan/index.html
Federal Small Business Administration, Loan Guidance:
https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
State of NJ: Coronavirus Information for NJ Businesses
State of NJ: Information for NJ Businesses on the COVID-19/Novel Coronavirus Outbreak:
https://www.njeda.com/about/Public-Information/Coronavirus-Information
State of NJ: Economic Development Authority Announces New Initiatives to Suppor Businesses Imaacted by COVID-19:
INFORMATION ON THE STIMULUS BILL
SBA “Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)”
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Who – Small business owners in all U.S. states and territories are currently eligible to apply for a low-interest loan due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.
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Interest rate – is 3.75% for small businesses, 2.75%.for non-profits.
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Terms – Long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.
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Approval – Loans can be approved by the SBA based solely on an applicant’s credit score. Loans that are smaller than $200,000 can be approved without a personal guarantee.
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Advance – Borrowers can receive a $10,000 emergency grant cash advance that can be forgiven if spent on paid leave, maintaining payroll, increased costs due to supply chain disruption, mortgage or lease payments or repaying obligations that cannot be met due to revenue losses.
PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM
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The Loan – The maximum loan amount must be the lesser of 2.5 average month’s eligible payroll costs or $10,000,000 with an interest rate no higher than 4% with a maximum maturity of 10 years. No personal guarantee or collateral is required for the loan. The lenders are expected to defer fees, principal and interest for no less than six months and no more than one year.
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Forgiveness – The Act provides that the Government will forgive the amount of a loan under the Act that a recipient can document was used to pay: (1) payroll costs; (2) mortgage interest; (3) rent and (4) utilities—in each case for up to eight weeks following the issuance of the loan.
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Both Loans? – Yes, you can get both an EIDL (mentioned above) and a Paycheck Protection Program loan as long as they don’t pay for the same expenses. Make sure to check with your lender before taking both types of loans if you are not sure of the specifics.
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Other – the self-employed, sole proprietors, and freelance and gig economy workers are also eligible to apply. Businesses, even without a personal guarantee or collateral, can get a loan as long as they were operational on February 15, 2020.
FOR INDIVIDUALS
Emergency Child care assistance program for essential workers: (Posted 4/2/2020)
https://www.childcarenj.gov/emergency
Information on the Stimulus Bill: For Individuals
Stimulus Payments: One of the most publicized portions of the law involves cash payments of $1,200 to individuals and $2400 to married couples.
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An additional $500 may be paid for each qualifying child. These amounts are subject to reduction if the individual’s Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) exceeds $75,000 ($150,000 for a married couple). Nonresident alien individuals and a person who is the dependent of another is ineligible to receive the payment.
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The cash payments will be based on the recent tax information available to the IRS, based on the 2018 or 2019 tax return filed, but is subject to a “true-up” based on 2020 tax return information.
Unemployment Benefits
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Unemployment benefits would be expanded from 26 weeks to 39 weeks and Self-Employed individuals would qualify for the first time.
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Unemployed workers may potentially get an additional $600 per week for up to four months, on top of the normal state unemployment benefits.
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For more information go to https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/unemployment-insurance
Unemployment
How to apply online:
https://myunemployment.nj.gov/labor/myunemployment/before/about/howtoapply/applyonline.shtml
Schedule for claiming/certifying NJ Unemployment Benefits:
https://myunemployment.nj.gov/labor/myunemployment/schedule.shtml
Important information for claiming weekly benefits
https://myunemployment.nj.gov/labor/myunemployment/covidinstructions.shtml
Guides outlining COVID-19–related benefits for NJ employees
English: https://www.nj.gov/labor/assets/PDFs/COVID-19%20SCENARIOS.pdf
Spanish: https://www.nj.gov/labor/assets/PDFs/COVID-19%20SCENARIOS_SPANISH.pdf
Resources for Job Seekers
State of New Jersey COVID-19 Jobs and Hiring Portal: https://jobs.covid19.nj.gov/
New Jersey State Residents have access to the Job & Career Accelerator. Create resumes and cover letters, learn interviewing techniques, and prepare for related exams. Access millions of job listings. This resource is provided to New Jersey’s libraries by the New Jersey State Library and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.
Tips for Interviewing Online: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/video-interview-guide
Click here for a Guide to Writing Powerful Cover Letters
Click here for a Guide to Crafting Successful Resumes
FOR EVERYONE
NY Times’s Q&A on the benefits:
https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-stimulus-package-questions-answers.html
From Forbes:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/advisor/2020/03/27/your-guide-to-the-federal-stimulus-package/#7a694d962711
Mortgage and Rent Relief, and Tenant Information
Mortgage Relief: https://www.state.nj.us/dobi/covid/mortgagerelief.html
Tenant Information/Rent Relief: https://nj.gov/governor/news/news/562020/approved/20200319c.shtml
Energy Assistance info from the State of NJ
https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/dhcr/offices/energy.html
Financial Assistance, from the NJ Dept. of Human Services
https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dds/hottopics/financial/
Resources for Restaurants and Workers Coping with the COVID-19 Emergency
Coronavirus Emergency Relief Assistance in NJ
https://www.autismnj.org/article/coronavirus-emergency-relief-assistance-in-nj/
Payments on Credit Cards, Student Loans, and Auto Loans
Student Loan Payments
The government has already waived two months of student loan payments for any federal student loan borrowers; in addition, the bill is slated to suspend payment for student loans held by the federal government until September 30th.
Credit Card Payments
In this time of need, many credit card issuers are moving quickly to assist their customers by providing them with information and resources that may alleviate some of their financial burden. Please go to your financial institutions’ websites for information.
If you need that relief, take a look at Credit Karma’s compiled list of credit card issuers’ assistance efforts and eligibility requirements: https://www.creditkarma.com/advice/i/coronavirus-credit-card-relief-options/
Auto Loan Payments
Many lenders are offering auto loan relief programs to help their customers alleviate some of their financial burden. https://www.creditkarma.com/advice/i/coronavirus-auto-loan-relief/
Retirement Funding
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Required Minimum Distribution rules for qualified plans and individual retirement accounts are suspended for 2020 to preserve asset value.
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Coronavirus-related distributions of up to $100,000 can be made with the related income tax payable over a three-year period. Additionally, the amount can be recontributed back to plan over a three-year period without affecting that year’s contribution limits
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The limits on the amount of loans that can be taken from a qualified plan for Coronavirus-related purposes is increased to the lesser of $100,000 or 100% of the individual’s accrued benefit.
Forbes: COVID-19 and Your IRA: What you need to know:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/berniekent/2020/03/28/covid-19-and-your-ira-heres-what-you-need-to-know/#6dc0134c2131
Bloomberg: Coronavirus Bill lets Struggling Americans Tap Retirement Money
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-03-27/coronavirus-bill-lets-struggling-americans-tap-retirement-money
Income Taxes:
Filing Deadlines extended to July 15 for Federal and New Jersey