COVID-19 Response:
Financial
Resources
for
Employers
&
Workers
Financial resources are available for business owners and works from the Federal, State, and local level. View the following resources to see what assistance you might qualify for. If you need help navigating the various programs we recommend reaching out to our business support partners:
Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center - assistance with identifying appropriate loan programs and other programs available to support your business.
Workforce Santa Cruz County- assistance with workforce related resources such as layoffs, accessing EDD programs, and training and supporting employees.
Financial Resources for Business Owners
CA Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBANK)
The Small Business Finance Center (SBFC) partners with Financial Development Corporations to provide loan guarantees and direct loans for small businesses that experience capital access barriers.
California Capital Access Program (CalCAP)
CalCAP is a loan loss reserve program which may provide up to 100% coverage on losses as a result of certain loan defaults.
Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
SBA has resumed processing EIDL applications that were submitted before the portal stopped accepting new applications on April 15 and will be processing these applications on a first-come, first-served basis. SBA will begin accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance applications on a limited basis only to provide relief to U.S. agricultural businesses.
IRS Extended Tax Credit
The IRS has extended the COVID tax credit for employers who keep employees on payroll. Employers can now claim a refundable tax credit against the employer share of Social Security tax equal to 70% of the qualified wages they pay to employees after December 31, 2020, through June 30, 2021.
Pandemic Unemployment Insurance
The new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program helps business owners, self-employed, independent contractors, those with limited work history, and others not usually eligible for regular state UI benefits who are out of business or services are significantly reduced as a direct result of the pandemic.
Payroll Protection Program (PPP)
PPP loans are offered through local banks that are approved for SBA lending. If your bank is not offering the PPP loan please contact us for information about our partnership with National Development Council to access their PPP portal.
Santa Cruz Resilience Microloan Program
The City established a microloan program to allocate $5,00 - $10,000 loans to local businesses. The funds have been expended but we will update the community if more funding becomes available.
Smart Hire
A subsidized employment program in collaboration with Santa Cruz County that offers employers who hire qualified job seekers from our program up to $2,000 a month for the first 6 months of their new employee’s employment. Video: https://bit.ly/2QLJd8w
Behind Every Employer
Behind Every Employer strategically connects companies with educational leaders across the country to provide solutions for the workforce talent challenges they face both today and in the future.
Financial Resources for Workers
Unemployment Insurance
If you are out of work or had your hours reduced you may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits from California’s Employment Development Department (EDD).
OnwardCA
One-stop resource for the people of California impacted by job loss during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Renter Protections
The City of Santa Cruz passed an eviction moratorium. If you are having trouble paying all or part of your rent view our FAQ to understand the protections available.