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

faq.business.nj.gov

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

https://faq.business.nj.gov/en/collections/2198378-information-for-nj-businesses-on-the-coronavirus-outbreak

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INFORMATION ON THE STIMULUS BILL

SBA “Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)”

• 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.

• Interest rate – is 3.75% for small businesses, 2.75%.for non-profits.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

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Emergency Child care assistance program for essential workers:  (Posted 4/2/2020)
https://www.childcarenj.gov/emergency

Information on the Stimulus Bill: For Individuals

https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments

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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

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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

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FOR EVERYONE

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NY Times’s Q&A on the benefits:

https://www.nytimes.com/article/coronavirus-stimulus-package-questions-answers.html

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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

https://www.restaurantworkerscf.org/news/2020/3/15/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

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Student Loan Payments

Student loan payments held by the federal government are suspended until at least September 30th, 2021.

https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/coronavirus

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/

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Retirement Funding

• Required Minimum Distribution rules for qualified plans and individual retirement accounts were suspended for 2020 to preserve asset value.

• 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

• 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 May 17 for Federal and New Jersey

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