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Monetary Resources

For Businesses

Business Related Resources

The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is teaming up with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) to provide the small businesses of Georgia with vital information and assistance during this time of need. In addition to the details found on their page, they will be hosting 12 regional webinars to answer your questions and provide support.

The Georgia Small Business Recovery page has important information on the following topics:

In addition, they will be hosting a series of webinars over the coming weeks that will provide more details on these programs. You can view a list of currently available programs by visiting their website.

If you are unable to attend one of these Webinar, you can download a PDF of the presentation with details on each program by click here.

You can view a recording of their webinar here:

Information about the SBA's Disaster Assistance in Response to the Coronavirus.

How to apply:

  • Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

  • Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. 

  • Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

This includes individuals who are self-employed, gig workers, 1099 independent contractors, employees of churches, employees of non-profits, or those with limited work history who do not qualify for state unemployment benefits.
 

  • Step 1: Individual files a regular state unemployment claim. A claimant will receive 2 emails - one stating that the claim was received and another stating the claim was processed.

  • Step 2: Individual receives a Benefits Determination letter, which shows if a claimant has enough wages to determine a valid regular state unemployment claim. If so, an individual receives a second determination letter (Claims Examiner’s Determination) informing the claimant if state benefits are approved or denied. 

  • Step 3: Starting April 22, 2020, individuals not eligible to receive state unemployment benefits will receive notification by email with a link to the application or mail containing information regarding the PUA application process.

  • Step 4: Individual will complete the PUA application and submit for processing. After this, the claimant will await determination of benefits based on verified wages. Once wages are verified, a weekly determination will be decided and the claimant will receive a PUA Benefits Determination letter in the mail stating the weekly benefit amount. An individual will also receive a PUA Claims Examiner’s Determination letter informing the claimant if benefits are approved or denied.

 
The PUA program will provide unemployment benefits to those not ordinarily eligible for them. This includes individuals who are self-employed, gig workers, 1099 independent contractors, employees of churches, employees of non-profits, or those with limited work history who do not qualify for state unemployment benefits. The GDOL modified its current online unemployment application adding new questions to better identify those individuals who may be eligible for PUA. These individuals must be determined not eligible for state benefits before being evaluated for federal PUA benefits. Once an applicant is deemed ineligible for state benefits, they will receive notification by email with a link to the application or mail containing information regarding the PUA application process. The new federal PUA program is still under development and must be built from scratch. Once complete, the program will allow verification of wages. Once the PUA application is received, the claimant will await determination of weekly federal benefits based on verified wages.  After wages are verified, a weekly determination will be decided and the claimant will receive a PUA Benefits Determinations letter in the mail stating the weekly federal benefit amount. If a claimant receives at least one dollar in federal PUA benefits, they will be eligible for the weekly $600 supplement that will be back paid from the implemented date of 4/4/2020. An individual will also receive a PUA Claims Examiner’s Determination letter informing the claimant if benefits are approved or denied.
 
The additional questions in the state unemployment application will help determine if applicants are qualified to receive federal PUA benefits. The GDOL is partnering with the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR), and, if given authorization by the applicant, will use information from the DOR to speed up the wage verification process.
 
If GDOL is unable to verify your wages with DOR, applicants may be asked to provide additional documentation to prove wages. The past wages used to establish your PUA claim may use income not normally covered by regular state unemployment, such as contract labor or self-employment earnings. Do not send this information unless it is specifically requested by the GDOL.
 
Acceptable Proof of Wages/Income Used for PUA Claims 

  • Proof of wages/income for the most recently completed tax year 2019

  • If you are an employee or 1099 independent contractor, you can send copies of pay stubs, earning statements, IRS Form W-2 or IRS Form 1099 and federal income tax Form 1040 and Schedule C, F, or SE.

  • If you are self-employed, you can send IRS Form 1040 and a copy of Schedule 1, 2, C, F or SE tax return.

Individuals who have already filed a claim with the GDOL and have been determined not eligible for state unemployment benefits, but may be potentially eligible to receive benefits under this program, do NOT have to refile a claim. These individuals will be identified once development of this program is completed and will receive notification by email with a link to the application or mail containing information regarding the PUA application process.

Business Related Resources

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has launched the Save Small Business Initiative and will be awarding $5,000 grants for business expenses.


Go to https://savesmallbusiness.com/ and fill in your email address to be notified when the application is available as of Monday, April 20th at 3pm ET.


TO QUALIFY YOU MUST

  • Employ between 3 and 20 people

  • Be located in an economically vulnerable community (30736, 30742, 30741 zip codes are all included)

  • Have been harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Fill out the short application (10 minutes) as of 4.20.20

Learn everything you need to know about the Small Business Relief Initiative and the Small Business Relief Fund. Here you’ll find all the information needed to navigate this combined relief effort by GoFundMe, Yelp, Intuit QuickBooks, GoDaddy, and Bill.com. Make your contribution to help more small businesses receive grants.

What is the Small Business Relief Initiative?

The Small Business Relief Initiative was started by GoFundMe to help small businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and empower their communities to rally behind them. GoFundMe has partnered with Yelp, Intuit QuickBooks, GoDaddy, and Bill.com to provide small business owners with the financial support and resources needed to continue running their businesses during and after the coronavirus crisis.

As part of the Small Business Relief Initiative, GoFundMe, Intuit QuickBooks, Yelp, GoDaddy, and Bill.com have each donated to the Small Business Relief Fund. GoFundMe.org, the charitable and advocacy arm of GoFundMe, started the Small Business Relief Fund to benefit small businesses. Supporters can donate to the Small Business Relief Fund, which will issue $500 matching grants to qualifying businesses that raise at least $500 on GoFundMe. More partners will be announced in relation to this initiative at a later date.

Not a small business owner, but want to help? Donate to individual small businesses fundraisers for those affected by coronavirus, or start a GoFundMe.

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