Sherman Police to purchase armored vehicle
March 23, 2020Directing Capital Toward Small Businesses Affected by COVID-19: Legal Strategies for Texas Local Governments
March 27, 2020COVID-19 Resource Guide
Updated: April 6, 2020
COVID-19 Resources
Business
Federal
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): The SBA provides low-interest, long-term Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EDIL) to small businesses and private non-profit organizations that suffered working capital losses due to the declared disaster.
- SBA Guidance for Businesses in Responding to COVID-19
- SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to COVID-19
- 3 Step Loan Process: An Overview of the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program Application Process
- Disaster Loan Assistance Application
- Dallas/Fort Worth District OfficeThe U.S. Small Business Administration Dallas/Fort Worth District office will host live Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program for Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 webinars on alternating Wednesdays. All webinars will be presented from 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM CST and are free for small businesses. Find dates and register by following this link .✕
- El Paso District Office
- Houston District Office
- Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office
- Lubbock District Office
- San Antonio District Office
- SBA Houston District Office – COVID -19 – Guidance for Small Businesses (daily webinars and Q&A)
- Federal Reserve: Commercial Paper Funding Facility to support the flow of credit to households and businesses
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS):
- COVID-19 General Info
- IRS Payment Plan
- IRS Payment Deadline Extended: Filing and Payment Deadline Extended to July 15
- Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers – CDC.gov
- Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID 19 – osha.gov (PDF)
- Government Response to Coronavirus, COVID 19 – usa.gov
SBA Texas District Offices:
*If applying for an EIDL loan, the SBA recommends using Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge. Customer Service can be reached at 800.659.2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov*
State
- Office of the Governor: Visit their website for a comprehensive list of resources and important COVID-19 updates.
- Texas Workforce Commission (TWC): Visit their website for resources available to employers and job seekers impacted by the COVID-19.
- Resources for Employers
- The Commissioner for Employers’ legal team is available Monday through Friday (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) to answer employment law questions. Please contact them at 800-832-9394 or employerinfo@twc.state.tx.us.
- Shared Work Program
- Resources for Job Seekers
- If an individual’s employment has been affected by COVID-19 they may apply for benefits either online by using the Unemployment Benefits Services (UBS) or by calling TWC at 800.939.6631 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Friday. UBS can be accessed at any time. For additional information, visit TWC’s website.
- Texas Comptroller: Visit their website for tax-related information related to COVID-19.
- To learn about options for remaining in compliance and avoiding interest and late fees on taxes due, contact the Enforcement Hotline at 800.252.8800.
- Texas Department of Insurance (TDI): Visit their website for an overview of insurance-related questions related to COVID-19.
- Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA): Visit their website for an overview of information related to school meals, consumer protection, rural hospitals, weights and measures and licensing.
- Shared Work – twc.texas.gov
Other
- The Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA) provided guidance to those directly or indirectly impacted.
- Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are an alternative source of finance for small businesses. For additional information, please visit with each organization:
- SBA Lender Match: Connects Small Business with Participating SBA-approved Lenders
- Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provides counseling to small businesses throughout Texas. For a list of resources to manage the impact and recovery, visit their website.
- SCORE has chapters throughout Texas and provides in-person and virtual counseling and mentorship. They have also published resources and information to support small business, including:
- The COVID-19 Economic Impact: Will Business Interruption Insurance Help (& What Are My Other Options)?
- How Small Businesses Can Prepare for the COVID-19
- The U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Combating Coronavirus
- National Restaurant Association: Coronavirus Information and Resources
- National Retail Federation: Coronavirus Resources for Retailers
- NFIB: Small Business Resources in Response to Coronavirus
- Texas International Produce Association: COVID-19 Update
COVID-19 Resources
Healthcare
Federal
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS): Is granting certain waivers and suspended non-emergency survey inspections.
- CMS Press Release
- FAQs for Individuals, Providers and Insurers
- CMS Current Emergencies- COVID-19 guidance and additional information
- Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans
- Medicare Coverage and Payment
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Small Business Administration (SBA): The SBA provides low-interest, long-term Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EDIL) to small businesses and private non-profit organizations that suffered working capital losses due to the declared disaster.
- SBA Guidance for Businesses in Responding to COVID-19
- SBA Disaster Assistance in Response to COVID-19
- 3 Step Loan Process: An Overview of the Disaster Loan Program Application Process
- Disaster Loan Assistance Application
- Dallas/Fort Worth District Office
- El Paso District Office
- Houston District Office
- Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office
- Lubbock District Office
- San Antonio District Office
- SBA Houston District Office – COVID -19 – Guidance for Small Businesses (daily webinars and Q&A)
SBA Texas District Offices:
*If applying for an EIDL loan, the SBA recommends using Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge. Customer Service can be reached at 800.659.2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov*
State
- Office of the Governor
- Waived certain regulations and directed the Texas Department of Insurance to issue an emergency rule that will allow telemedicine visits for patients with state-regulated plans to be paid the same as in-office visit for insurance purposes.
- Fast-tracking temporary licensing for out-of-state physicians, physicians assistants, retired physicians and nurses to assist with in-person and telemedicine services
- Texas Department of Insurance: Visit their website for an overview of insurance-related questions related to COVID-19.
- Texas Department of Agriculture/State Office of Rural Health (SORH): Visit their website for an overview of information related to school meals, consumer protection, rural hospitals, weights and measures and licensing. To contact SORH, email: ruralhealth@texasagriculture.gov.
COVID-19 Resources
Communities & Individuals
Communities
- Resources Guide to COVID-19 for Government Leaders
- Office of the Governor COVID-19 Executive Orders
- Texas Department of State Health Services: COVD-19 Communication Tools
Families/Individuals
- Center for Disease and Control (CDC): COVID – 19
- Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA): Visit their website for an overview of information related to school meals, consumer protection, rural hospitals, weights and measures and licensing.
- Meals for Kids
- Texas Workforce Commission (TWC): Visit their website for resources available to employers and job seekers impacted by the COVID-19.
- Resources for Job Seekers
- If an individual’s employment has been affected by COVID-19 they may apply for benefits either online by using the Unemployment Benefits Services (UBS) or by calling TWC at 800.939.6631 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday – Friday. UBS can be accessed at any time. For additional information, visit TWC’s website.
- Administration for Community Living
- Federal Communications Commission
- Federal Transit Administration / Emergency Relief Docket
- FEMA
- U.S. Department of Transportation / FHWA Virtual Public Involvement Resources
Philanthropic Resources for Communities
- [New! 4/2] The Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation has committed $1 million to aid COVID-19 relief efforts. Of the $1 million commitment, $250,000 will go to the American Red Cross as it continues to mobilize efforts to respond to the outbreak, and the remaining $750,000 will provide funding to nonprofits addressing direct needs in the communities across the Dominion Energy footprint, with a primary focus on those areas that are home to the more than 7 million retail customers Dominion Energy serves. Grants to organizations serving local communities should help immediate human needs as dictated by response plans and may vary based on unique local needs in a dynamic environment. Click here for more information.
- [New! 4/1] Main Street America is regularly updating a list of funding programs & business support opportunities. Programs include SBA, Facebook, JP Morgan, Kabbage, The James Beard Foundation, MainVest, and Opportunity Fund program. Scroll down on Main Street America’s COVID-19 Resource page to learn more.
- Facebook launched the Facebook Small Business Grants Program to provide $1 million in grants and ad credits to up to thirty thousand small businesses in more than thirty countries to help them weather the disruptions resulting from the growing global crisis. Eligible companies will be able to apply in the coming weeks for funds that can be used to maintain their workforce, help with rent, connect with more customers, and/or cover their operational costs. The company also launched a Business Resource Hub that provides business-focused information about how to cope with the effect of the pandemic as well as a “quick action guide” and a “resilience toolkit” featuring best practices and a self-assessment tool.
- Bank of America has announced a $100 million commitment in support of communities facing unprecedented challenges related to the coronavirus pandemic. The majority of the funds will be used to increase medical response capacity, address food insecurity, and boost access to learning during school closures in local BofA markets, with a focus on the most vulnerable populations. The bank also plans to increase its funding to national and global organizations working on the frontlines of the pandemic in local communities.
- JPMorgan Chase has announced a philanthropic effort including $5 million to provide immediate healthcare, food and other humanitarian relief globally; $2 million to existing nonprofit partners around the world that are responding to the COVID-19 crisis in their communities; $8 million to assist small businesses vulnerable to significant economic hardships in the U.S., China and Europe. An additional $35 million will be distributed to help affected communities over time.
- Grant Station has compiled a comprehensive list of philanthropic resources available globally. Programs with a nationwide scope include Dunkin’ Joy (assistance to health/hunger relief nonprofits) and MusiCares (income assistance for musicians). Many other state, regional, and local philanthropic programs are also listed.