Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

ELIGIBLE: Self-employed, independent contractors, those with limited work history, and others

FOR DETAILS: https://www.jobs4tn.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx  

APPLY:   At this time the State of Tennessee is awaiting final guidance/interpretation from US Department of Labor on how  federal  &State government portions will be distributed to those recently granted eligibility under the CARES Act.    In the short term,  to access online services provided by the TN Department of Labor and Workforce Development visit https://www.jobs4tn.gov/vosnet/loginintro.aspx   and  create an account.   This information is evolving on a daily basis, updates to this section will be provided as it becomes available.     

PROGRAM SUMMARY:  $600 per week + half State Unemployment (check for eligibility)

Creates a temporary Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program through December 31, 2020 to provide payment to those not traditionally eligible for unemployment benefits (self-employed, independent contractors, those with limited work history, and others) who are unable to work as a direct result of the coronavirus public health emergency.

Emergency Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) 

ELIGIBLE:  Any individual operating as a sole proprietor or as an independent contractor

FOR DETAILS:  https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance 

APPLY: https://covid19relief.sba.gov/#/    

PROGRAM SUMMARY:  Allows for expedited access to capital by establishing a program for small businesses who have applied for an EIDL loan to request an advance of up to $10,000 on the loan to provide paid sick leave to employees, maintain payroll, and pay other debt obligations.   Offers up to $2 million in assistance and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.

Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%

*Tennessee has been designated a Coronavirus Declared Disaster Area

 Paycheck Protection Programs (PPP) 

ELIGIBLE: Sole proprietorship, independent contractors, and self-employed individuals

FOR DETAILS:  https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/paycheck-protection-program 

APPLY:   PPP loans under the CARES Act will be disbursed by banks directly to borrowers, not by the SBA itself. Therefore, SBA will need to create and issue final rules before banks will make PPP loans.    Businesses can use the SBA's Lender Match program to find lenders who currently participate in the SBA loan program.  This information is evolving on a daily basis, updates to this section will be provided as it becomes available.      

PROGRAM SUMMARY:  The Paycheck Protection Program would provide 8 weeks of cash-flow assistance through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans to small employers who maintain their payroll during this emergency.

If the employer maintains its payroll, the portion of the loans used for covered payroll costs, interest on mortgage obligations, rent, and utilities would be forgiven, which would help workers to remain employed and affected small businesses and our economy to recover quickly from this crisis.

Loans up to $10 million will be available during the period of March 1 through Dec. 31, 2020.