COVID-19 RESOURCE ROUNDUP: 4/24
The Office of Film + Music continues our work to support the film, music, nightlife, events industries, communities, businesses, and workers during this challenging time. Our weekly industry newsletter is here to help you access local, state, and federal resources.
For industry-specific resources, please visit our Film, Music + Nightlife, and Events and COVID-19, or contact our industry liaisons here.
The City's Office of Economic Development has also prepared a new online resource hub for business, workers, and non-profit organizations impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
State Unemployment Assistance for Musicians, Filmmakers, and Creatives
Unemployment benefits in Washington state are expanding under the federal CARES Act to cover independent contractors and self-employed individuals. Anyone who is receiving or will be receiving weekly unemployment benefits, either through regular State unemployment or through the expanded CARES Act will receive an additional $600 per week. These new benefits are also available for workers who did not work enough hours to qualify for traditional unemployment benefits (workers who worked less than 680 hours).
The City of Seattle encourages anyone who has lost work due to COVID-19 to apply including delivery drivers, rideshare drivers, and domestic workers who are house cleaners, nannies, cooks, home care workers, gardeners or household managers. You can apply to receive unemployment assistance from the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) at esd.wa.gov/unemployment.
Here’s how to prepare to apply:
State Unemployment Benefits Webinars
Please join the Unemployment Law Project for their free webinars as we discuss how COVID-19 has affected unemployment benefits in Seattle and King County. The program includes an update on new unemployment rules, followed by a live Q&A with the audience hosted by Carolyn Riley-Payne, President of Seattle King County NAACP. Sponsored by Seattle King County NAACP and the Unemployment Law Project.
Warning: Scammers Targeting Small Business Owners Applying for Loans
The City of Seattle Office of Economic Development (OED) is warning small businesses about scammers seeking to prey on the small business community that has already been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. OED has received numerous reports of scammers posing as either lenders or third-party providers offering to assist businesses with their federal Small Business Administration (SBA) loan applications.
If you are contacted by someone promising to get approval of your SBA loan in exchange for payment up front or by someone offering a high interest rate on a small business loan, you should suspect fraud. There is no fee or charge in applying for SBA loans, including Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), SBA Express Bridge Loans, and SBA Debt Relief. Any small business has an opportunity to apply for these federal loans, free of charge.
OED offers free SBA technical assistance to all businesses looking to apply for an SBA loans, including EIDL, PPP, SBA Express Bridge Loan, and SBA Debt relief. Businesses can call OED at (206) 684-8090 from Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or email OED at oed@seattle.gov anytime and receive free assistance. When you call, you can ask for an interpreter. This assistance is free.
The Mixer Goes Virtual with Tips for Live Streaming
We missed you in March, so we're back this month for our first virtual Mixer! Join us on April 29, 5-7 pm from the comfort of your own screen - we'll cover how-to's and tips for taking your events online via live streaming, and you'll get to make new connections just like you do at IRL mixers.
Submit your questions in the registration form so we can plan to share the most important info with you.
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Relief, Resources for Musicians, Crews, Venues
As the Music and Nightlife industries are particularly challenged by the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, the Office of Film + Music is sharing resources that may be helpful to individuals and businesses working in these industries.
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