COVID-19 | Relief Packages

SBA Releases Simpler Loan Forgiveness Application for PPP Loans $50,000 or Less
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, today released a simpler loan forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans of $50,000 or less. This “streamlined” PPP forgiveness form does not require businesses to show the calculations used to determine their loan forgiveness amount. However, SBA may request information and documents to review those calculations as part of its loan review process. This is not “automatic PPP loan forgiveness,” as borrowers are still required to submit documentation to lenders on payroll costs, rent/lease payments, and utilities. Additionally, there is a restriction for any otherwise eligible applicants if they have affiliated businesses receiving PPP loans totaling $2 million or greater – we are following up with SBA to ensure the “Affiliation Rules” are waived for restaurants and hotels as outlined in earlier PPP guidance (p. 2).
  • Click here to view the simpler loan forgiveness application.
  • Click here to view the instructions for completing the simpler loan forgiveness application.
  • Click here to view the Interim Final Rule on the simpler forgiveness process for loans of $50,000 or less.

​Restaurants Urge SBA to Protect PPP Rent Forgiveness
The National Restaurant Association submitted comments on September 28 to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to protect PPP loan forgiveness. Read the full letter HERE. 

Update on Latest Coronavirus Relief Package, August 7, 2020
While progress on a larger deal in Washington remains elusive, there has been real progress on restaurant-specific priorities that a larger deal would include. Sean Kennedy from the National Restaurant Association breaks it down in a 90-second update -- what you need to know and where our priorities are heading. View update video HERE.

National Restaurant Association Update on Possible Fourth Coronavirus Relief Bill
There is a lot of concern as to whether Congress will pass a fourth coronavirus relief bill before they adjourn for the August recess.  Sean Kennedy, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the National Restaurant Association, offers a 90-second update on the current landscape, how restaurants could be affected, and what steps the National Restaurant Association is taking on behalf of the industry. Watch update HERE.
Blueprint for Restaurant Revival - Action Needed! 
The New York State Restaurant Association has been working alongside our national partner, the National Restaurant Association, to develop a roadmap for the recovery of restaurants across the state and country. This Blueprint for Restaurant Revival was put together with input from our industry through a survey we sent out. Per the survey, you identified a $120 billion recovery fund and a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding as the top goal that should be pursued in our advocacy agenda. We've stated what we need, now as congress discusses their final COVID relief for 2020, it's imperative that we make a strong final push to get this done.  Add your voice to the fight! Tell Congress you support the Blueprint for Restaurant Revival here.

SBA and Treasury Release New Policy Updates to PPP Program | June 24, 2020
This rule updates and clarifies the forgiveness procedures from the PPP Flexibility Act and the new forgiveness forms. Highlights from the Rule:
  • Businesses may apply for forgiveness at any time during the Covered Period once they meet the requirement for forgiveness. They do not have to wait until the end of the 24 weeks.
  • Clarifies the amount that Owners may pay themselves under the new Rule.
  • FTE safe harbor for businesses that can document in good faith an inability to return to the same level of business activity as the borrower was operating at before February 15, 2020, due to compliance with requirements established or guidance issued between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 related to the maintenance of standards for sanitation, social distancing, or any other worker or customer safety requirement related to COVID-19 (COVID Requirements or Guidance).
PPP Interim Final Rule - Revisions to Loan Forgiveness Interim Final Rule and SBA Loan Review Procedures Interim Final Rule, HERE.  Loan Forgiveness Forms, HERE. 

U.S Senate Passes Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act
On June 3, the U.S. Senate passed by unanimous consent the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Flexibility Act. This bill will make a number of retroactive improvements to the PPP, including:
  • 24-week covered period (instead of 8).
  • 60/40 split (instead of 75/25).
  • Loan forgiveness still possible if employees won’t come back, or if revenue in December is below Feb 2020 levels.
  • Five year loan-repayment terms for future PPP loans.
  • Restores payroll tax deferment.

National Restaurant Association
  • Summary of the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act HERE. 
  • Details from the National Restaurant Association on how the PPP Program has changed HERE.

Synopsis of U.S. House of Representatives "Heroes Act"
​The National Restaurant Association has provided a synopsis of the new U.S. House of Representatives “Heroes Act”, their “Phase Four” response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The measure has provisions that are very important to our industry (including our approach to improving the PPP program), and provisions that will be more challenging for our industry (extension of enhanced unemployment, extension of emergency paid-sick leave/FMLA). Read synopsis HERE. 

SBA ALERT: Reports of scammers are on the rise with respect to the PPP and EIDL programs.
Information on how to spot scammers is HERE.  Report any suspected fraud to OIG’s Hotline at 800-767-0385 or online here. 

The National Restaurant Association has prepared overview documents for the following CARES Act relief programs: Documents and records may be the things that help you most in securing loans and grant money to tide you over until the crisis passes. National Restaurant Association guidance for the paperwork you should be gathering HERE. 
​
Small Business Administration Emergency Relief Loans
​Here are links to information about the temporary relief programs (or temporary expansions of current programs), including application forms: The latest information from the Department of Treasury can be found HERE. 

SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Fact Sheet
The EIDL program will make low-interest loans available to eligible entities to help pay for working capital and alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19). EIDL Fact Sheet HERE.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan application can be found here: SBA Application
The SBA offers disaster assistance in the form of low-interest loans to businesses in regions affected by declared disasters.
​
The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act
The programs and initiatives in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that was just passed by Congress are intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. When implemented, there will
be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain nonprofits and other employers. This guide provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA. Guide available HERE.  To keep up to date on when these programs become available, please stay in contact with your local Small Business Administration (SBA) District Office, which you can locate HERE.

NYS/NYC Business Resources

​NYS Department of Health New Reopening Guidelines for Businesses
The NYS Department of Health has released new reopening guidelines for businesses. All NYS businesses in the industry categories will need to comply with the minimum guidelines established by the State and will need to develop a written “Safety Plan” outlining how its workplace will prevent COVID-19 exposure. The State has provided industry specific safety plan templates, but also allows the business to develop its own Safety Plan. While the Safety Plan does not need to be submitted to the Department, the Safety Plan does need to be kept on file with the business AND posted conspicuously at the site of business. Businesses will also need to file an affirmation of compliance with the Department.

​Empire State Development
NYC Small Business Services Resources
Guidance for Restaurants
Guidance for Business Owners
Emergency Planning Process Checklist
CDC | Business Planning Checklist for Pandemics

Letter from NYS Insurance Fund (NYSIF) to Policyholders re: Covid-19 Outbreak
We realize the restaurant industry has been hit especially hard. Therefore, NYSIF will be suspending cancelations, late fees, interest and installment fees on your policy. We want to ensure that you maintain full coverage without assuming additional financial burden at this time. Read full letter HERE.

United Healthcare FAQs &Information for Employers: https://www.uhc.com/employer/faq-employer

​NYSRA Insurance Solutions Statement re:  Voluntary Benefits Premiums
Dear NYSRA Members: First, we'd like to say that we hope everyone is healthy and safe during this trying time. And if you participate in any of our voluntary benefits such as UNUM Life Insurance, Cigna Dental, Delta Dental, HealthPlex, or Bluecross Blueshield of Western NY, these insurance companies are willing to work with you if you are having issues paying your premium.
If you have any concerns or issues please contact Curtis Robinson at 518-452-4222 ext. 235 or via email: curtisr@nysra.org.
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