If you are a small business owner or if you’ve been temporarily laid off as a result of a closing business, here are some grants and loans available to help.
NJEDA’s Small Business Emergency Assistance Grant Program
The NJEDA recently created this grant program for small and medium-sized businesses. This program would provide up to $5,000 to NJ-based business with 1–10 full time equivalent employees. For a full list of requirements, visit faq.business.nj.gov/en/articles/3835237.
NJEDA Small Business Emergency Assistance Loan
The NJEDA has created this $10 million program to make direct low-cost financing available for small businesses and non-profit organizations. This loan program is open for those that have been in existence for at least one year and earns less than $5 million in annual revenue. For a full list of requirements, visit https://faq.business.nj.gov/en/articles/3835238.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan
The US Small Business Association is currently offering the Economic Injury Disaster Loan for businesses, homeowners, renters, and private non-profits. They’re currently streamlining their application process with a specific link for those seeking relief as a result of COVID-19, and small business owners can apply for a disaster loan advance of up to $10,000. Check your eligibility and apply at https://covid19relief.sba.gov/.
NJSBDC
The New Jersey Small Business Development Center network offers assistance to small and medium-sized businesses through updates, counseling, training. You can visit https://njsbdc.com/coronavirus/ to find resources for grants, loans, child care assistance, and online counseling and training sessions if you’re a small business owner trying to figure out how to adjust to the changes.
USBG Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
The United States Bartenders’ Guild has put together a grant program for bartenders, bar backs, bar servers, or other similar workers who have been laid off as a result of COVID-19. You can find the eligibility requirements an application on https://www.usbgfoundation.org/beap.
One Fair Wage
One Fair Wage works toward advancing policies to raise workers’ pay to a fair minimum wage. They’re currently providing cash assistance through their Emergency Coronavirus Tipped and Service Worker Support Fund. Restaurant workers, car service drivers, delivery workers, personal service workers and others can sign up on https://ofwemergencyfund.org.
National Domestic Workers Alliance
The National Domestic Workers Alliance is providing assistance through the Coronavirus Care Fund, which includes $400 in emergency assistance for qualifying home care workers. The Fund is currently open to domestic workers who have participated in activities of the NDWA, its chapters, affiliate organizations, circles and current Alia users. You can apply on https://membership.domesticworkers.org/coronavirus-care-fund/.
Department of Unemployment Insurance
You can claim your benefits if you’re unemployed on https://myunemployment.nj.gov/. The Department of Unemployment Insurance offers a guide that takes the COVID-19 layoffs into account. Be sure to follow their schedule for claiming benefits, based on the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.
