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The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFRCA or ACT) requires certain employees to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.

California’s EDD provides a variety of support services to individuals affected by COVID-19 in California. If you’re unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim.

• DI provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week.

Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order that authorizes local governments to halt evictions for renters and homeowners, slows foreclosures, and protects against utility shutoffs for Californians affected by COVID-19. The order does not relieve a tenant from the obligation to pay rent, or restrict the landlord’s ability to recover rent that is due. The protections are in effect through May 31, 2020, unless extended. The order also requests banks and other financial institutions to halt foreclosures and related evictions during this time period. The full Executive Order can be found here.

Los Angeles County utilities are providing resources and relief to eligible residents. Please visit this web page for future updates.

Public Works will not shut off or stop services for customers who are delinquent or behind in service or permit payments until this order is lifted. This includes water, sewer and trash pick-up services. For any inquires, Public Works’ 24 hour/7 day dispatch number is 800-675-4357.

Southern California Edison is implementing the following provisions immediately:

Suspension of Disconnections for Non-Payment: Eligibility:

All Residential and Commercial Customers Effective immediately, SCE will suspend disconnections for non-payment Flexible Payment Plans to Impacted Customers Eligibility:

Customers who contact SCE and self-identify as being impacted financially by the COVID-19 emergency

• Customers with current accounts – Will be offered a one-time, up to 60-day, extension
• Customers with past due amounts – Will be offered up to 6-month payment arrangement
• SCE will work with the customer to accommodate a customer’s unique situation that may result in a payment arrangement for up to 12 months.
• Visit Southern California Edison or Clean Power Alliance for more information

Employers can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing Program if reduced production, services, or other conditions cause them to seek an alternative to layoffs. The Work Sharing Program helps employees whose hours and wages have been reduced:

• Receive UI benefits.
• Keep their current job.
• Avoid financial hardships.

The Work Sharing Program helps employers:

• Minimize or eliminate the need for layoffs.
• Keep trained employees and quickly prepare when business conditions improve.
• Avoid the cost of recruiting, hiring, and training new employees.

https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/Work_Sharing_Program.htm

The EDD provides a variety of support services to individuals affected by COVID-19 in California. If you’re unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim.

• DI provides short-term benefit payments to eligible workers who have a full or partial loss of wages due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week.
• The Governor’s Executive Order waives the one-week unpaid waiting period, so you can collect DI benefits for the first week you are out of work. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.
• Unemployment insurance will also cover: parents that have to stay home to take care of dependents due to school closures, reduced work hours, and those that are self-employed.
• Toll-free from the U.S. or Canada: 1-888-745-3886

As of 3/12 the federal Department of Labor announced it was giving states flexibility in expanding/distributing unemployment insurance to assist workers affected by the coronavirus. In addition, Governor Newsom signed a new Executive Order on 3/12 that waives the one-week unpaid waiting period for unemployment insurance (UI) applications, meaning individuals can collect UI benefits for the first week they are out of work. However, please note that it can still take EDD a few weeks for the first payment to arrive at a client’s mailbox/bank account. https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/

Employees who need leave to take care of children or family issues can also apply for Paid Family Leave (PFL) through the State of California EDD. Use the online application here:

https://www.edd.ca.gov/Disability/How_to_File_a_PFL_Claim_in_SDI_Online.htm

CRA Foundation (CRAF) is providing grants focused on restaurant workers who are:

diagnosed with coronavirus (COVID-19) or

those who have been quarantined with a doctor’s note .To apply, click here.

TRACK LOSSES– During moments of disruption it is important to track any loss your business may have incurred as programs designed to assist cash flow needs and access to capital depend on accurate counts of economic injury or production loss.

Inventory and Supply Chain Shortfalls – While the possibility could be remote, it is a prudent preparedness measure to ensure you have either adequate supplies of inventory for a sustained period and/or diversify your distributor sources in the event one supplier cannot meet an order request.

Consider Government Contracting

Become a vendor with Los Angeles County

Also, SBA is focused on assisting with the continuity of operations for small business contracting programs and small businesses with federal contracts. For more information on federal contracting, visit

https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-guide

More specifically: ·

• 8(a) Business Development program serves to help provide a level playing field for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people or entities, and the government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate. The 8(a) program offer and acceptance process is available nationwide, and the SBA continues to work with federal agencies to ensure maximum practicable opportunity to small businesses. 8(a) program participants should stay in touch with their Business Opportunity Specialist (BOS).
• HUBZone program offers eligibility assistance every Thursday from 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET at 1-202-765-1264; access code 63068189#. Members of the HUBZone team answer questions to help firms navigate the certification process. For specific questions regarding an application, please contact the HUBZone Help Desk at hubzone@sba.gov.
• Women-owned Small Business firms who have questions, please visit www.sba.gov/wosbready or write to wosb@sba.gov.

Exporting Assistance: SBA provides export loans to help small businesses achieve sales through exports and can help these businesses respond to opportunities and challenges associated with trade, such as COVID-19. The loans are available to U.S. small businesses that export directly overseas, or those that export indirectly by selling to a customer that then exports their products.

Export Express loan program allows access to capital quickly for businesses that need financing up to $500,000. Businesses can apply for a line of credit or term note prior to finalizing an export sale or while pursuing opportunities overseas, such as identifying a new overseas customer should an export sale be lost due to COVID-19.

Export Working Capital program enables small businesses to fulfill export orders and finance international sales by providing revolving lines of credit or transaction-based financing of up to $5 million. Businesses could use a loan to obtain or retain overseas customers by offering attractive payment terms.

International Trade loan program helps small businesses engaged in international trade to retool or expand to better compete and react to changing business conditions. It can also help exporting firms to expand their sales to new markets or to re-shore operations back to the U.S.

Do your part to slow the spread:

• Avoid social gatherings of 10 people or more
• Work or engage from home
• If necessary, working on location or place of business make sure to conduct regular environmental cleaning i.e. wipe down with cleaning solution, sanitize workspace and make sure employees are washing hands on a regular basis.
• Staff should wear and use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment according to your existing policies and procedures.
• Have soap and paper towels in bathrooms at all times.
• Avoid unnecessary travel

California EDD has issued updated guidance on issues beyond unemployment insurance (e.g. caregiving for ill family members). CLICK HERE for that updated guidance.

California’s Department of Industrial Relations has issued updated guidance on what employers are expected to do to help promote hygiene/safety in the workplace. CLICK HERE for that updated guidance.

Marketing – It’s critical to communicate openly with your customers about the status of your operations, what protective measures you’ve implemented, and how they (as customers) will be protected when they visit your business. Promotions may also help incentivize customers who may be reluctant to patronize your business.

Consider providing in-home services i.e. provide free delivery, etc.

Share best practices with other businesses in your communities (especially those in your supply chain), chambers of commerce, and associations to improve community response efforts.

Price gouging is the act of a business raising prices of needed products and services over 10% during a declared emergency. Price gouging is prohibited and is governed by California Penal Code 396 and the Los Angeles County Price Gouging Ordinance. For 30 days following the declaration of emergency, it is illegal for a person, contractor, or business to sell or offer to sell any food items or goods or service for a price of more than 10 percent above the price charged by that person or business immediately before the declaration of emergency was issued.

Typically, this statute applies for 30 days after an emergency declaration. However, the statute applies for 180 days for reconstruction services and emergency cleanup services. State and local municipalities may extend the effective period of the statute beyond these timeframes. If you believe that you have been a victim of price gouging or you suspect a business is price gouging, contact the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at (800) 593-8222.

Is your business facing the possibility of laying off employees or even closing? The Los Angeles County America’s Jobs Centers of California (AJCCs) can help you get your business back on track. Specialized Business Service Representatives can work with you and your employees to minimize losses and improve morale. We can also assist your business with strategic planning to ensure that your business does not face a similar situation in the future. Contact your local Business Service Representative at an America’s Job Center of California (AJCC) for more information by emailing bizdev@wdacs.lacounty.gov or calling (213) 810-1641.

LAEDC, the County’s provider for Layoff Aversion services, can work with businesses one-on-one to see if they qualify for other non-traditional loan programs. Please email LAEDC for details. Include a business name and city where the business is located so LAEDC can assign a regional manager to follow up with you.

Employers can apply for the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing Program if reduced production, services, or other conditions cause them to seek an alternative to layoffs.

The Work Sharing Program helps employees whose hours and wages have been reduced:

• Receive UI benefits.
• Keep their current job.
• Avoid financial hardships.
• The Work Sharing Program helps employers:
• Minimize or eliminate the need for layoffs.
• Keep trained employees and quickly prepare when business conditions improve.
• Avoid the cost of recruiting, hiring, and training new employees.

https://www.edd.ca.gov/unemployment/W

A new bipartisan spending package was passed in the US House of Representatives and the Senate. This package, when it is implemented, will provide $7 billion in federal funds to assist small businesses that suffer economic harm from the coronavirus outbreak. New information will be released once available.

The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) provides IBank loans (there are a few types) for businesses from one to 750 employees (small businesses). CLICK HERE

Many businesses have business interruption insurance. Now is the time to contact your insurance agent to review your policy to understand precisely what you are and are not covered for in the event of an extended incident.

The Small Business Association (SBA) has developed Lender Match, a free online referral tool that connects small businesses with participating SBA-approved lenders within 48 hours.

• The federal Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering Disaster Loans for businesses, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters. The application link is now open for any California business wishing to apply for a disaster loan related to economic damage from the COVID-19 health crisis. CLICK HERE
• 7(a) program offers loan amounts up to $5,000,000 and is an all-inclusive loan program deployed by lending partners for eligible small businesses within the U.S. States and its territories. The uses of proceeds include: working capital; expansion/renovation; new construction; purchase of land or buildings; purchase of equipment, fixtures; lease-hold improvements; refinancing debt for compelling reasons; seasonal line of credit; inventory; or starting a business.
• Express loan program provides loans up to $350,000 for no more than 7 years with an option to revolve. There is a turnaround time of 36 hours for approval or denial of a completed application. The uses of proceeds are the same as the standard 7(a) loan.
• Community Advantage loan pilot program allows mission-based lenders to assist small businesses in underserved markets with a maximum loan size of $250,000. The uses of proceeds are the same as the standard 7(a) loan.
• 504 loan program is designed to foster economic development and job creation and/or retention. The eligible use of proceeds is limited to the acquisition or eligible refinance of fixed assets.
• Microloan program involves making loans through nonprofit lending organizations to underserved markets. Authorized use of loan proceeds includes working capital, supplies, machinery & equipment, and fixtures (does not include real estate). The maximum loan amount is $50,000 with the average loan size of $14,000.

As of Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 11:59 p.m, the City and County of Los Angeles issued the SAFER AT HOME order which mandates certain businesses to close and allows others to remain open. Below is a brief overview of the order. For the complete order, click here. ( Link) https://covid19.ca.gov/img/N-33-20.pdf

YOU CAN … 

• Go to the grocery, convenience or warehouse store
• Go to the pharmacy to pick up medications and other healthcare necessities
• Go to medical appointments (check with your doctor or provider first)
• Go to a restaurant for take-out, delivery or drive-thru
• Care or support a friend or family member
• Take a walk, ride your bike, hike, jog and be in nature for exercise — just keep at least six feet between you and others in the community.
• Walk your pets and take them to the veterinarian if necessary
• Help someone to get necessary supplies

YOU SHOULD NOT … 

• Go to work unless you are providing essential services as defined by this Order
• Visit friends and family if there is no urgent need
• Maintain less than 6 feet of distance from others when you go out
• Visit loved ones in the hospital, nursing home, skilled nursing facility, or other residential care facility

Is this order mandatory? What happens if I don’t comply?

Yes. This is a legally enforceable order. It is against the law to violate this Order, and you may be punished by a fine or imprisonment for doing so.

For complete FAQs on SAFE AT HOME order: https://corona-virus.la/faq