COVID - 19: Small Business and Unemployment Resources For Employers Unemployment Insurance Governor Walz issued an executive order to ensure workers affected by the pandemic receive unemployment benefits. The order: • Relieves employers of benefit charges associated with COVID-19. Your UI tax rate will not increase if your workers collect unemployment benefits because of COVID-19. • Waives the five-week benefit limitation for business owners who previously elected coverage and became unemployed as a result of COVID-19. More information from the Minnesota DEED. https://www.uimn.org/employers/employer- account/news-updates/covid-19.jsp Small Business Emergency Loans Minnesota DEED is offering loans to provide working capital to help businesses sustain operations. Loans: • Range from $2,500 to $35,000 • Are interest free • Are paid back monthly over 5 years; the first payment will be deferred 6 months • Partial forgiveness may be available Check your eligibility on the Minnesota DEED’s website. https://mn.gov/deed/business/financing-business/deed- programs/peacetime/ U.S. Small Business Administration (federal) The SBA has loans up to $2,000,000 available to help small businesses meet their financial obligations during the disaster recovery period. Learn more about the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans and apply online here. https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ For Employees / Gig Workers / Self-employed Unemployment Insurance Unemployment insurance is being expanded as a result of COVID-19. You might be eligible for insurance if: • You lost your job because of COVID-19. • You had your hours reduced because of COVID-19. • Your employer is shut down due to COVID-19, and they are paying only a portion of your salary. • A healthcare professional recommended or ordered you to self-isolate. • You have been ordered not to go to your workplace due to an outbreak of COVID-19. • You have received notification from a school district, daycare, or other childcare provider that either classes are canceled or your usual childcare is unavailable. • **Detail are emerging regarding unemployment benefits with the passage of the recent federal stimulus bill. Minnesota Unemployment Insurance is still working to implement the changes. The main point for now: if you lost work as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, apply now and let MNUI determine your eligibility. More details and applications are available online. https://www.uimn.org/applicants/needtoknow/news- updates/covid-19.jsp Commissioner Debbie Goettel Hennepin County District 5 Bloomington | Eden Prairie | Richfield Contact: Email: debbie.goettel@hennepin.us Phone: 612-348-7885