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Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Applications open for the Paycheck Protection

As of Monday, April 27, the SBA has re-opened applications for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Work with your lender, or contact a lender on the list of participating lenders in Minnesota.

Program guidance and related information can be found at www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection or www.treasury.gov/cares


Additional Federal Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Funding Available

With the additional funding provided by the new COVID-19 relief package, SBA will resume processing EIDL Loan and Advance applications that are already in the queue on a first come, first-served basis.

SBA will provide further information on the availability of the EIDL portal to receive new applications as soon as possible.


DEED begins making Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) payments

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced on Friday, April 24 today that the agency has begun making Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) payments to people who are self-employed, independent contractors, and other eligible recipients who are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits.

Here’s what you need to know about applying for PUA:

  • If you have already applied for regular unemployment benefits, you do not need to do anything extra to qualify for PUA. DEED will automatically establish a PUA benefit account for you if you are eligible.
  • If you have not applied for unemployment benefits yet, special instructions for self-employed and 1099 workers are available here. These instructions include steps you can take to make your account easily identifiable as potentially eligible for PUA.
    • If you applied for unemployment benefits without following those instructions, don’t worry – you don’t need to change anything. Your account will still be reviewed for PUA eligibility.
  • If you have not heard from DEED yet, don’t worry. We expect to be in touch with most people who are eligible for benefits under PUA by the end of April. There is no need to call or follow-up; you will hear from us proactively if we need additional information to determine eligibility.
  • You will receive information about PUA benefits in your online account, by email, and by mail.
  • Applicants who receive PUA benefits will also receive the $600/week additional payment.
  • PUA benefits will be backdated to whenever you first became eligible due to COVID-19.

Additional information, including answers to many commonly asked questions, can be found here: COVID-19 information for self-employed people and independent contractors


Hennepin County Small Business Relief Program

To support businesses impacted by COVID-19 Hennepin County’s Small Business Relief Program is designed to help small local businesses meet immediate financial needs. Emergency forgivable loans available up to $7,500

Applications are open now through noon on May 8, 2020. 

More information and application form here.


LISC Small Business Relief Funds

LISC has announced a Small Business Relief Fund with grants of up to $10,000.  The next deadline for this fund is Tuesday, April 28 at 11:59 p.m. More information and applications here.


Return to Work Safely

Beginning Monday, April 27, some non-essential workers can start returning safely to work. This includes non-essential workers with office and industrial jobs that do not interact directly with customers. For guidance on what this means for businesses, visit DEED's web page on returning to work.


Social Distancing Norms

The State of Minnesota is looking for your input to help us design what the new “social distancing norms” will be like for businesses once the Stay-at-Home order has been lifted. The main goals are to help Minnesotans stay safe and healthy while enabling more social and economic activity.

The information you provide through the survey will be anonymized and the focus is on identifying trends for different organizational categories rather than individual specific people or organizations. Thank you for the feedback you provide.

Take the survey

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For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact kelly.stacken@minneapolismn.gov

People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users can call 612-263-6850.

Para asistencia 612-673-2700, Yog xav tau kev pab, hu 612-673-2800, Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500.

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