This Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley has started this COVID-19 resource page to help address small business resiliency content to address COVID-19 impacts.

Business Owner Space: BOS is San Jose-Silicon Valley’s most accessible, comprehensive, and useful one-stop resource for launching and growing a business in the greater San Jose metropolitan area.

Learn about sources of funding: The experts at the Small Business Development Center Silicon Valley can help you understand options to obtain low-cost funding, from the Small Business Administration and other sources. Check out their resources online.

Start Small Think Big: provides high-quality legal, financial and marketing services, at no cost to help under-resourced entrepreneurs so that owners can build wealth for themselves, their families and communities

SCORE: Fostering vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education. With the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs since 1964.

work2future: helps Santa Clara County residents get the skills and coaching they need to find a new job, get a promotion, or start a new career. We partner with employers to help them stay competitive and manage change with supportive and advisory services.

Reconnecting Silicon Valley Professionals (RSVP): A professional business networking to share business best practices, referrals, and more. The RSVP members represent one person per industry.

Jobs Opportunities

Job sites: Check out work2future’s jobs page, where you can find companies that are hiring, and post jobs that are available.

Silicon Valley Diverse Coalition: Serves as a source of local contract and employment opportunities.

Help with Financial Needs

Unemployment: Employees who have reduced hours or have been laid off due to COVID-19 can file an Unemployment Insurance claim through EDD to get partial wage replacement and benefit payments. Parents having to stay at home with their children due to school closures may qualify.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): If you are a business-owner, self-employed, or an independent contractor, you may qualify for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). This program provides Unemployment Insurance to those not usually eligible for regular state UI benefits. This program provides Unemployment Insurance to those not usually eligible for regular state UI benefits.

Disability: Employees who are unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional) may file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim for short-term partial wage replacement payments.

Personalized Help: Workers who have lost their jobs and are struggling to pay the bills, can call or email the Santa Clara County CAN hotline for help accessing safety-net resources. Assistance is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Cantonese and Tagalog. Call 408-809-2124 or email [email protected].

Homeless Prevention Fund

Low-income Santa Clara County residents may now apply to this fund for direct financial assistance, based on documented loss of income as a result of COVID-19 impacts (maximum of $4,000 per month). Eligibility requirements apply. Currently, residents may add their names to the waiting list. More information is HERE.

Caring for Others

Those employees who are staying home to care for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim which provides up to six weeks of partial wage replacement benefit payments.

Loss of Medical Coverage

Laid off employees who had insurance coverage through their employer are eligible to maintain their insurance both through COBRA and Covered California. For COBRA, inquire with your employer about benefits or with the Department of Labor – Employee Benefits Security Administration if your employer has gone out of business or stopped offering coverage. The Covered California website has information about enrollment and requirements.

Mortgage Relief

Borrowers who are experiencing financial challenges due to COVID-19 are strongly encouraged to contact their mortgage servicer to explore their options as some banks and financial institutions may be offering relaxed requirements.

Summary Chart of State Resources

All of the relevant State of California financial resources for workers are summarized in a helpful chart from the State Labor and Workforce Development Agency.

Additional Guidance to Protect Workers

State Department of Industrial Relations: Cal/OSHA Interim General Guidelines on Protecting Workers from COVID-19

Financial Assistance, Tax Assistance and Technical Support

We’re here to help! Businessownerspace.com partners SBDC (Small Business Development Center),  AnewAmerica, MBDA, and SCORE are available to help prepare loan paperwork, and speak your language.

SBA Paycheck Protection Program Loans

This loan program closed Aug. 8, 2020. Click here for more information.

SBA Disaster Assistance Loans

SBA is now accepting new applications, as of June 15. If your business or not-for-profit has suffered substantial economic injury in a declared disaster area, you may be eligible to apply for a Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan. Apply through the SBA portal.

State of California’s iBank Program 

 This program is designed to make loans available to business owners who do not qualify for federal/SBA loan programs, including undocumented immigrants. You can apply or get more information through the partners lined on the Small Business Finance Center website.

Federal Reserve’s Main Street Lending Program

Designed to help more established, larger businesses manage debt, maintain liquidity and sustain payroll. More information is available at the Federal Reserve site.

Opportunity Fund

Established businesses including non-profits may borrow up to $250,000 for 1 to 5 years at competitive interest rates with no fees.  Applicants may provide an ITIN rather than Social Security numbers. Assistance is available in English and Spanish.

Kiva

Loans up to $15,000 at 0% interest are available through this non-profit lending group.  Borrowers with strong connections with their clients are most likely to qualify. Non-profits may apply as well.  Collateral is not required and there is a 6-month grace period on repayment.

 National Small-Business Grant Programs

There are many grant program offered by companies and government agencies, often targeted at specific types of small business. A good list of grant opportunities is maintained by Fundera. Although Fundera is a for-profit website, its grant list is comprehensive and regularly updated. 

Deferred Business Taxes for San Jose businesses

The City of San Jose is offering a temporary expansion of its business tax financial hardship exemption.  The Financial Hardship Exemption Program is designed to help sole proprietor businesses in the City of San José whose business income is at or falls below two times the poverty level income established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

State Tax Assistance 

The State of California offers payment plans for personal and business taxes.

Federal Tax Changes

Many businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 may qualify for new employer tax credits through the Internal Revenue Service. An IRS tool will help you understand what federal tax relief programs are available for your business.

Layoff Aversion

Did you know there are ways to avoid laying off workers? The Unemployment Insurance Work Sharing Program allows you to retain trained employees by partially off-setting wages due to lost hours.

All businesses are required to complete a Social Distancing Protocol to help slow the spread of COVID-19. These Protocols must also be submitted to Santa Clara County. Detailed instructions are available at the County’s site.  Reviewing, completing and submitting the form takes just a couple of minutes.

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: What you should know about COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws.

California COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave: Stay in compliance with California labor law requirements during COVI-19.

Labor Commissioner’s COVID-19 Guidance and Resources: Labor Commissioner’s Office has posted resources to help workers and employers be aware of and comply with changes in the law regarding supplemental paid sick leave during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Santa Clara County Public Health: A collection of information around COVID-19 such as but not limited to: CV19 county snapshot, testing locations, flyer, and poster library, educational articles, and more.

Temporary Eviction Protections

The San José City Council has enacted a temporary residential eviction moratorium in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The moratorium will be in effect at least until August 31, 2020.  Documentation of COVID-related impacts (loss of income) are required.  For more information, email [email protected], or call the Rent Stabilization Program at (408) 975-4480. For more information, visit the website.

An eviction moratorium on commercial tenants is also in place throughout Santa Clara County through August 31, though it may be extended by the County Board of Supervisors.

Small business owners being threatened with eviction can call the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley’s free legal helpline:
(408) 280-2426 (English
(408) 280-2417 (Español)
(408) 280-2424 (Tiếng Việt)

Or email [email protected]

Help with Utilities Rent, Etc.

Help With Your Lease and Business Operations: BusinessOwnerSpace.com is a City of San Jose-led team of more than 30 programs that help small businesses. Partners offer free or low-cost mentoring, classes, and other support on many topics including access to capital, business planning, marketing, and legal issues including commercial leases.

Here are some links to major utilities’ pandemic websites:

Questions about solid waste management during shelter-in-place? Get all the details on scheduled pick-ups, reducing waste and donating food here.

Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley: Learn more about this ethnic chamber.

Silicon Valley Diverse Coalition: The SVDC supports the diverse small business community of the greater silicon valley. We provide and exchange information for the benefit of the diverse business community and serve as a focal point for connecting our members with corporate and government procurement and or contract opportunities.