CARES Act: Paycheck Protection Program Details from the SBA

Here are details from the SBA about the initial  (4/20) Paycheck Protection Program and the public-private partnership with banks aimed at speeding money to small businesses that was announced in the Spring of 2020 . For please see these articles for newer information and changes:

SBA Announces Reopening of the PPP Program


SBA Extends the EIDL Program 


PPP, EIDL Facts and Tips for Small Businesses and the Self-Employed

(April, 2020):Now that the historic Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, has been signed into law, the SBA and Treasury department have initiated a robust mobilization effort of banks and other lending institutions to quickly provide small businesses with the capital they need to stay open.

The CARES Act establishes a new $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program. The Program will provide much-needed relief to millions of small businesses so they can sustain their businesses and keep their workers employed.

“This unprecedented public-private partnership is going to assist small businesses with accessing capital quickly,” says SBA Administrator, Jovita Carranza. “Our goal is to position lenders as the single-point-of-contact for small businesses – the application, loan processing, and disbursement of funds will all be administered at the community level,” she explained. “Speed is the operative word; applications for the emergency capital can begin as early as this week, with lenders using their own systems and processes to make these loans.”

“This legislation provides small business job retention loans to provide eight weeks of payroll and certain overhead to keep workers employed,” said Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin. “Treasury and the Small Business Administration expect to have this program up and running by April 3rd so that businesses can go to a participating SBA 7(a) lender, bank, or credit union, apply for a loan, and be approved on the same day.  The loans will be forgiven as long as the funds are used to keep employees on the payroll and for certain other expenses.”

The new loan program will help small businesses with their payroll and other business operating expenses. It will provide critical capital to businesses without collateral requirements, personal guarantees, or SBA fees – all with a 100% guarantee from SBA. All loan payments will be deferred for six months. Most importantly, the SBA will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first eight weeks of payroll costs, rent, utilities, and mortgage interest.

When to Apply

Small businesses and sole proprietorships can apply Starting April 3, 2020. Independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply Starting on April 10, 2020. Businesses are encouraged to apply as quickly as you can because there is a funding cap.

The Paycheck Protection Program is specifically designed to help small businesses keep their workforce employed. Visit SBA.gov/Coronavirus for more information on the Paycheck Protection Program.

  • The new loan program will be available retroactive from Feb. 15, 2020, so employers can rehire their recently laid-off employees through June 30, 2020.

Loan Terms & Conditions

  • Eligible businesses: All small businesses, including non-profits, Veterans organizations, Tribal concerns, sole proprietorships, self-employed individuals, and independent contractors, with 500 or fewer employees, or no greater than the number of employees set by the SBA as the size standard for certain industries
  • Maximum loan amount up to $10 million
  • Loan forgiveness if proceeds used for payroll costs and other designated business operating expenses in the 8 weeks following the date of loan origination (due to likely high subscription, it is anticipated that not more than 25% of the forgiven amount may be for non-payroll costs)
  • All loans under this program will have the following identical features:
    • Interest rate of 1%
    • Maturity of 2 years
    • First payment deferred for six months
    • 100% guarantee by SBA
    • No collateral
    • No personal guarantees
    • No borrower or lender fees payable to SBA

SBA’s announcement comes on the heels of a series of steps taken by the Agency since the President’s Emergency Declaration to expeditiously provide capital to financially distressed businesses affected by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Since March 17, SBA has taken the following steps: 

  • Declared all states and territories eligible for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance
  • One-year deferment on Economic Injury Disaster Loans provided due to COVID-19
  • Automatic deferment of previous disaster loans for homeowners and businesses through 2020
  • Waiver of garnishments through 2020

Visit SBA.gov/Coronavirus for more information on SBA’s assistance to small businesses.

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