FAQs & answers on small business support

Small Business Administration (SBA) sent this bulletin at 03/24/2020 04:37 PM EDT

Seattle District Office  -  March 24, 2020
u s small business administration
Covid19: Guidance for Small Business sba.gov/coronavirus

COVID-19 FAQs and Resources

We understand these are difficult times. Please know we are with you through every cycle of your business. The following are the most frequently asked questions we have been receiving via phone calls and emails:

Q: Where do I find the SBA Disaster Loan application?

A: Apply online at disasterloan.sba.gov. 

Q: Is my county eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)?

A: The entire states of Washington and Idaho are now eligible. 

Q: Who can help me with this technical question about how to complete the SBA loan application?

A: Please direct all technical questions to the SBA Office of Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1 -800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  

Q: Can I come to the SBA office in-person for help with my loan application?

A: No, as of Tuesday, March 24, the SBA Seattle District offices in Seattle and Spokane are closed to the public in order to comply with the Washington Stay Home - Stay Healthy Order. All technical questions should be directed to the SBA Office of Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center.

For a general overview of how to complete the SBA EIDL application, register for this Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC)-hosted webinar on Friday, March 27:

RSVP Now

Q: Is the SBA Seattle District Office still open?

A: Yes, although we are closed to the public for in-person visits, you are welcome to reach out to us by email at infosdo@sba.gov or by phone at 206-553-7310. Please leave a message and you will receive a call back as soon as possible.

Q: What other small business resources are out there?

A: Connect with our SBA Resource Partner Network for virtual mentoring and advising. For a full list of small business resources related to COVID-19, visit www.sba.gov/coronavirus. 

Q: What relief can I offer to my employees?

A: The Washington Employment Security Department (ESD) is posting updates on relief programs for employees in their online newsroom. The Idaho Department of Labor is posting updates about unemployment benefits on their COVID-19 page.

Q: What businesses in Washington are impacted and considered essential by the Washington Stay Home - Stay Healthy Order?

A: Get the list of essential small businesses directly from governor.wa.gov.

Q: How can I get the latest news and information for small business?

A: Updates for small business will be shared through these bulletins, and breaking news will be shared on Twitter.

Get more information at: 

sba.gov/coronavirus

    Seattle Bakery Gets Creative

    Headshot of Olga Sagan, Owner of Piroshky Piroshky

    Piroshky Piroshky has offered hand-crafted Russian pastries to tourists and locals since 1992, starting with their flagship bakery in the historic Pike Place Market. For the first 15 years of operation, it remained a small local bakery and employed five people.

    Olga Sagan, a Russian immigrant, arrived in the United States at 16 years old and started to learn English. In 2006 she came on as partial owner of the bakery. In 2015 she sought guidance from the SBA on how to grow the business strategically and was encouraged to apply for the SBA Seattle Emerging Leaders course.

    Using knowledge and resources gained from the SBA Emerging Leaders course, Sagan developed the expertise and found the courage to become the sole owner of the bakery in 2017.

    Under Sagan’s leadership, the bakery has expanded from one to four locations and a mobile food truck and now employs dozens of staff. In 2020 Sagan was named SBA Washington Small Business Person of the Year.

    “Winning the SBA Award as a Russian immigrant shows me how incredible this country is,” Sagan said. “I am so proud to be a small business owner in Seattle.”

    Staying Open and Helping Others

    Sagan is still making the news about her work to keep her business open and help other community food businesses during this pandemic. She recently launched Catch22Delivery,* a no-cost service for food businesses to list their websites with delivery and takeout options, cutting out third-party delivery costs and consolidating a list of small food businesses open for business.  

    This is one example of the inspiring stories we’re hearing from local small businesses. 

    * SBA's links to non-government services is not an endorsement of any product, service, or entity.

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