Small Business Administration Loan Relief Opportunities in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic

On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The CARES Act directs $349 billion towards job retention and business operating expenses by allowing small businesses to obtain forgivable loans of up to $10 million to be used for payroll, rent, health benefits, retirement benefits, utilities and other expenses (referred to as the Paycheck Protection Program).

Click here for an article authored by attorney Jason Scoby of OCHDL which summarizes the key provisions relating to the Paycheck Protection Program, including requirements as to eligibility, use, and forgiveness of loans obtained thereunder.

You will soon be able to apply for a Paycheck Protection Program Loan at any lending institution that is approved to participate in the program through the existing SBA 7(a) lending program as well as additional lenders approved by the Department of Treasury. Businesses are eligible to apply for loans under this program through June 30, 2020.

As an alternative to or prior to obtaining a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program, the SBA offers small businesses an opportunity to apply for other economic relief in light of the coronavirus pandemic:

Economic Injury Disaster Loans and Loan Advance

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses the ability to obtain working capital loans of up to $2 million, which can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

Small business owners may immediately apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000. Funds will be made available within three days of a successful application and will not have to be repaid.

If you receive an Economic Injury Disaster Loan related to coronavirus prior to the date which the Paycheck Protection Program becomes available, you may be able to refinance the Economic Injury Disaster Loan into the Paycheck Protection Program Loan for loan forgiveness purposes. However, you may not take out an Economic Injury Disaster Loan and a Paycheck Protection Program Loan for the same purposes. Remaining portions of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan, for purposes other than those laid out in loan forgiveness terms for a Paycheck Protection Program Loan, would remain a loan.

To apply for a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan, click here.

SBA Debt Relief

The SBA Debt Relief program provides a reprieve to small businesses as they overcome the challenges created by the coronavirus crisis.

Under this program:

• The SBA will pay the principal, interest and fees of new 7(a) loans issued prior to September 27, 2020 for a period of six months.
• The SBA will pay the principal, interest and fees of current 7(a) loans for a period of six months.

SBA Express Bridge Loans

The SBA’s Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program allows small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 with less paperwork. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing as a result of the coronavirus and can be a term loan or used to bridge the gap while applying for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. If a small business has an urgent need for cash while waiting for a decision and disbursement on an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, they may qualify for an SBA Express Disaster Bridge Loan. Find an Express Bridge Loan Lender by connecting with your local SBA District Office.

O’Neil, Cannon, Hollman, DeJong and Laing remains open and ready to help you. For questions or further information relating to SBA loan relief, please speak to your regular OCHDL contact, or the author of this article, attorney John Schreiber.