RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYERS
Unemployment Assistance- Gov. Beshear is taking steps to waive the waiting period for unemployment for those who are losing their jobs because of COVID-19 and issued the executive order Monday afternoon with specific details which include:
Kentuckians who temporarily lose their jobs or are quarantined because of COVID-19 will be eligible for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. In addition, the seven-day waiting period to receive UI benefits will be waived during the state of emergency.
According to the Kentucky Office of Unemployment Insurance in the Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, the following policy has been activated:
· Individual is laid off and files initial claim application to request UI benefits.
· After claimant files and requests payment, UI staff conduct eligibility review and process benefit request concurrently.
· If approved, initial payment is authorized for 14 days of benefits.
· Claimant may request benefits every two weeks. This process may continue for a maximum of 26 total weeks or until the claimant obtains employment or returns to work.
· The weekly benefit amount is based on the worker’s past wages.
· The maximum weekly benefit amount is $552.
Federal Income Tax Filing and Payment Deadline Extension
The federal tax return filing deadline is now July 15, 2020. For tax payments of up to $10 million, the IRS has also extended the deadline for both individuals and businesses to July 15, 2020. Estimated tax payments for 2020 originally due on April 15 will now be due on July 15.
Check with the KY Department of Revenue to find out if your business has more time to file or more time to pay state and local taxes this year as a result of the coronavirus. Several states have already aligned their tax filing and payment deadlines with the new federal deadline. States also may waive or reduce penalties on late tax payments.
Federal Agency Actions and Resources
American Farmland Trust- Farmer Relief Fund- American Farmland Trust is excited to announce that the application for AFT’s Farmer Relief Fund is now live!
AFT will award farmers with cash grants of up to $1,000 each to help them weather the current storm of market disruptions caused by the coronavirus crisis.
Eligible applicants include any small and mid-size direct-market producers. These are defined as producers with annual gross revenue of between $10,000 and $1 million from sales at farmers markets and/or direct sales to restaurants, caterers, schools, stores, or makers who use farm products as inputs.
The application (available in both English and Spanish) is easy to complete but will require applicants to include sufficient detail to ensure AFT is awarding producers that have the greatest needs. Applicants will be asked to estimate their financial loss.
The initial application period goes until April 23, with grants beginning to be made by May 1.
Treasury and IRS Release FAQs to Help Small and Midsize Businesses Navigate Paid Sick and Family Leave Tax Credits
Key Points:
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The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service are offering small and mid-size employers more information on refundable tax credits that reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing their employees paid sick and family leave wages related to COVID-19.
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The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), signed by President Trump on March 18, 2020, gives businesses with fewer than 500 employees funds to provide employees with paid sick leave and family and medical leave related to COVID-19.
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Eligible employers can receive a credit in the full amount of the qualified sick leave and family leave wages paid for between April 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020.
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Employers can be reimbursed immediately by reducing their federal employment tax deposits. If there are insufficient federal employment taxes to cover the amount of the credits, employers may request an accelerated payment from the IRS.
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Find the FAQs on IRS.gov/Coronavirus here: FAQs – COVID-19-Related Tax Credits for Required Paid Leave Provided by Small and Midsize Businesses
Latest on Coronavirus Tax Relief – IRS.gov/Coronavirus
Individual Rebate FAQs
Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Advance Program
Latest Info from Rep. Barr's Office
In the CARES Act, the EIDL received an allocation of funding that has been greatly outpaced by the number of applications submitted to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). In contrast to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), this application process is completely administered by the SBA. Therefore, the overwhelming amount of applications submitted has caused the delay small businesses are experiencing with EIDL applications at this time. SBA is continuing the work on EIDL applications and will be administering approvals moving forward.
The Kentucky SBA District Office is encouraging those with questions about the EIDL/EIDL Advance to contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center directly at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Small business owners are encouraged to be ready with their application confirmation/reference numbers.
CONTACTS IN REP. BARR'S OFFICE:
For questions or clarification on either piece of legislation, contact Anthony Allen or Dan Taylor in Congressman Andy Barr's office.
Weekly Webinar for Small Businesses
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KSBDC Weekly Webinar Series: The KSBDC will host a weekly webinar series on Wednesdays at noon that will focuses on topics to support small businesses. Click here to register for the weekly webinar series.
SBA Contacts and Notes
Please note:
· If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from the SBA, suspect fraud.
· Emails from SBA or other legitimate government agencies will always end in .gov.
· There is no cost to apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan and SBA will never ask you to provide a credit card.
· Do not release any private information (social security number, date of birth, etc.) or banking information in response to an unsolicited caller, letter, email, or text.
· If you are in the process of applying for an SBA loan and receive email correspondence asking for PII, ensure that the referenced application number is consistent with your application number.
· An SBA logo on an email or webpage does not guarantee the information is accurate or from the SBA.
· Check for spelling and grammatical errors in an email and be wary of clicking on any links or attachments.
· For help with applying for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, call 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. You can also use a text telephone (TTY) by calling 1-800-877-8339.
· For inquiries regarding support for small businesses, send an email to answerdesk@sba.gov
· Visit the Small Business Cybersecurity site to learn more about small Business Cybersecurity tips, common threats, training, and best practices. https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage-your-business/small-business-cybersecurity
· Visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Infrastructure site for small business resources. https://w.gov/publication/stopthinkconnect-small-business-resources
· Trust your instincts! If something seems too good to be true, then it probably is too good to be true.
We are here to help you!
Becky Marefat, Communication Coordinator, Email: becky.marefat@uky.edu
Stuart Arnold, Business Coach, Email: Stuart.Arnold@uky.edu
Lee Goatley, Business Coach, Email: Lee.Goatley@uky.edu
John Zink, Business Coach, Email: John.Zink@uky.edu
Local Lenders Working with the SBA
Citizens Commerce
859-879-9455
https://www.citizenscommerce.com/2020/04/07/sba-paycheck-protection-program/
Must have or open an account
Community Trust Bank
859-879-5480
Kentucky Bank
859-873-9400
https://www.kybank.com/sba-covid19-loans/
PNC Bank
859-879-2217
https://www.pnc.com/en/customer-service/coronavirus-update.html?lnksrc=homepage-alert
Paycheck Protection Program
With Additional Funding PPP and Disaster Loans Begin to Accept More Applicants
The additional funding passed by Congress and signed by the President last week provides $310 billion for PPP loans, including $60 billion reserved exclusively for lending by small, community financial institutions. The bill also increases funding for the Disaster Loans Program Account by $50 billion and provides an additional $10 billion in funding for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan grants. It is recommended that business owners complete the PPP application and get it to their lender immediately, because additional funding will be administered on a first-come, first-serve basis. The SBA could begin taking applications again as early as Monday.
Informational Links for PPP Info
As established by the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program provides much-needed relief to millions of small businesses so they can sustain their businesses and keep their workers employed. Small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations, veterans organizations, and tribal businesses described in the Small Business Act, as well as individuals who are self-employed or are independent contractors, are eligible if they also meet program size standards. For additional details, visit https://home.treasury.gov/cares.
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For an overview of the program, CLICK HERE.
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If you’re a lender, more information can be found HERE.
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If you’re a borrower, more information can be found HERE.
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The application for borrowers posted HERE.
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SBA's interim final rule on implementation of Sections 1102 and 1106 of the CARES Act regarding the PPP. VISIT HERE
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[NEW AS OF 4-13-20] Paycheck Protection Program FAQ Document. VISIT HERE
CARES Act
Federal Reserve Creates Main Street Lending Program
Recently, the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department announced the Main Street Business Lending Program, which Congress authorized through the CARES Act, to provide assistance to businesses with less than 10,000 employees. Rulemaking on this program is forthcoming, but these loans will be available through commercial banks in an amount based on the company’s 2019 earnings, up to $25mm. More information from the Federal Reserve and the term sheets for the Main Street Lending Program may be found HERE. A helpful one pager on the program is available on-line HERE with additional information.
CARES Act Webinar from Kentucky State Chamber
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Reopening for Business
All businesses and individuals should be prepared to wear masks at the beginning of reopening on May 11.
Where to Get Masks
#1: The Kentucky Chamber has masks for businesses to order here
#2: Seamstress Georgia Moffett by calling 859.494.1961 $4/each
#3 Woodford County Detention Center
Call Michele Rankin at the Detention Center or contact her on Facebook
#4 Midway City Hall has masks available for residents. Call City Hall 846-4413 to make pick up arrangements.
#5 Ferrick Mason will be offering masks outside their shop on Friday afternoons at 160 S Main St., Versailles
Where to Get Hand Sanitizer
You can order hand sanitizer through the Kentucky Chamber HERE
Reopening Phase 1 - May 11:
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Manufacturing
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Construction
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Vehicle & vessel dealerships
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Professional services (at 50%)
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Horse racing (no fans)
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Pet grooming & boarding
Reopening Phase 1 - May 20:
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Retail (in a reduced capacity)
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Houses of worship (at reduced capacity; occupancy percentages to be announced)
Reopening Phase 1 - May 25:
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10 person social gatherings can resume
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Barbers, salons, cosmetology businesses & similar services
Not Included in Phase 1:
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Dine-in restaurants
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Gyms
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Movie theaters
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Campgrounds
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Youth sports
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Summer camps
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Daycares (possibly in June)
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Public pools