Small Businesses and Employees
State Guidance:
Governor Cuomo has ordered all employers limit their staff capacity to 100%. For guidance on this, please visit: https://www.governor.ny.gov/executiveorders or https://esd.ny.gov/guidance-executive-order-2026
If businesses are unsure if they are included within the exempt categories, but still believe they are providing essential services or functions can request a waiver from these reductions by completing the form HERE.
For unemployment information, New York State is waiving the seven day waiting period for unemployment insurance benefits for people who are out of work due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) closures or quarantines. You can apply for unemployment at https://labor.ny.gov/unemploymentassistance.shtm. Click HERE for step by step instructions on how to apply online.
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The Department of Labor is also reminding businesses of its Shared Work Program that can provide an alternative to laying off employees during business downturns by allowing workers to work a reduced work schedule and collect partial unemployment insurance benefits for up to 26 weeks. Instead of cutting staff, a business is able to reduce the number of hours of all employees or just a certain group. Information about this program can be found here: https://www.labor.ny.gov/ui/employerinfo/shared-work-program.shtm.
Resources for not-for-profits:
https://www.nycon.org/resources/covid-19-resources-for-nonprofits
State Liquor Authority guidance on restrictions for businesses serving/selling alcohol https://sla.ny.gov/Restrictions-in-Response-to-COVID-19
American Farmland Trust (AFT) has announced a Farmer Relief Fund. AFT will award farmers with cash grants of up to $1,000 each to help them weather the current storm of market disruptions caused by the coronavirus crisis.
Eligible applicants include any small and mid-size direct-market producers. These are defined as producers with annual gross revenue of between $10,000 and $1 million from sales at farmers markets and/or direct sales to restaurants, caterers, schools, stores, or makers who use farm products as inputs.
The application period ends April 23, with grants beginning on May 1.
Federal Guidance:
Businesses are now allowed to apply for disaster loans from the US Small Business Administration (SBA). Loans will be available to small businesses and nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans
Disaster loans offer an affordable way for individuals and businesses to recover from declared disasters. Here is the three step process for a disaster loan: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Documents/Three_Step_Process_SBA_Disaster_Loans.pdf
With any questions regarding SBA disaster loans please call 1-800-659-2955
Local Guidance:
Cayuga County:
The Cayuga Economic Development Agency (CEDA) is offering an Emergency Microloan for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. https://cayugaeda.org/covid-19-emergency-microloan-program/
The Cayuga County COVID-19 Fund has been established by the Cayuga Community Fund in partnership with the United Way of Cayuga County to support nonprofit organizations working with communities disproportionately impacted by economic consequences of the pandemic. The fund is designed to rapidly deploy flexible resources in the form of one-time operating grants on a rolling basis to nonprofits whose operations support vulnerable populations stressed by the outbreak. To apply, click here:
Monroe County:
Monroe County and Rochester Works have created a platform for companies still looking to hire during this crisis and workers looking for employment.
https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=b283e9c6-ee02d13d-b28110f3-000babd9f8b3-37f9139e0d9ab91f&q=1&e=6dccc3ef-b694-4e3b-8bbc-7e0977c3d07f&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.monroecounty.gov%2Fworks
Wayne County:
Wayne County Economic Development Department is interested in understanding the impacts the coronavirus has had on Wayne County businesses in order to evaluate potential assistance programs. Please consider completing the survey found here: