Coronavirus Resources for Recovery

News and Updates |Loans/Finance| HR/Employment | Healthcare | City/County| Real Estate | Employment Resources

Resources for Business

As you are looking to make some business decisions during these unprecedented times and are evaluating how COVID-19 is impacting your business, please take a look at the following options that MAY be available for you going forward. The Frisco Chamber of Commerce will be diligently working to continuously update this page as information is received and provide easy-to-understand explanations of how the resources found here impact individuals and different-sized businesses, by providing toolkits and links to much-needed documents! We are here to help! Please let us know if we missed an important resource or if you need further explanation! Click on the buttons below to jump to each section.

Resource Section

Business Loans/Financial Information

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act - Download Guide

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program,the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses. Importantly, these loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward.The administration soon will release more details including the list of lenders offering loans under the program. In the meantime, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has issued this guide to help small businesses and self-employed individuals prepare to file for a loan.

The DOL has a very easy-to-read Q & A that small business owners will find helpful. 

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

• PPP Overview
• PPP Borrower Information Fact Sheet
• PPP Borrower Application
• Watch "Conversation with the Chamber" Episode 6 with Jason Freeman, Freeman Law

COVID-19 Stimulus Bill - Tax Rebate Checks

Under the Phase Three coronavirus package, Americans with a valid Social Security Number who meet certain income thresholds will receive a one-time rebate check of $1,200 per adult, or $2,400 per married couple, and $500 for each child. The Secretary of the United States Treasury announced payments should begin going out the week of April 6, 2020. Learn more about eligibility here.

Tax Rebate Check Calculator can be found here.

The Denton Chamber of Commerce has supplied an easy-to-read FAQ on the COVID-19 Stimulus Bill.

Grant information for non-profits and  501(c)(6)

All non-profits are now eligible for $10,000 Grants and SBA Disaster Loans.Find information here from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

SBA Disaster Recovery Loans

The SBA has created a comprehensive Coronavirus page with all of its resources in one place. You can find that page here. The SBA announced it would offer disaster assistance loans for up to $2 million for small businesses affected by the coronavirus. These low-interest loans are available to businesses that have sustained “substantial economic injury” due to the spread of the coronavirus. These loans can be used to pay off outstanding debts, payroll and any other bills they are unable to pay. However, small businesses that have access to credit are not eligible. Small businesses with no available credit qualify for an interest rate of 3.75%, and nonprofits will have an interest rate of 2.75%.

SBA Disaster Loan Assistance

Three-Step Loan Process Flyer

Apply for a Disaster Loan (the site may be down from time to time due to volume) Peak volume is 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Quick facts to apply for the Small Business Administration’s Disaster Loan

The CollinSBDC advise you for free by filling out this form. 

SBA Webinar for Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus

Sign up for updates from SBA.

SBA provides a number of loan resources for small businesses to utilize when operating their business. For more information on loans or how to connect with a lender, click here.

Grants and other assistance from companies and organizations

• • Facebook has launched a grant program for small businesses. You can read about it here. In addition to a grant program, Facebook also has a list of resources which you can access here.
  • Intuit QuickBooks is providing a long list of small businesses plans and resources to tap into during the crisis, including financial preparedness information, safe travel tips and workplace prevention tips.
  • Yelp is providing $25 million in funding relief to small businesses, particularly restaurants and nightlife businesses, affected by COVID-19. This includes free access to page upgrades. You can find more information about how to qualify for aid here.
  • The National Federation of Independent Businesses, a small business special interest group, is offering legal resources and webinars related to the virus.
  • If you run a restaurant or restaurant group, the Restaurant Worker’s Community Foundation has information related to grants, financial programs and other resources for restaurants affected by COVID-19. This includes immigrant-specific concerns, USBG relief grants and a COVID-19 relief fund sponsored by the organization.
  • TWU has announced the AssistHer Emergency Relief Grant. The purpose of this program is to assist Texas, woman-owned businesses that have been severely impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19). A total of $1,000,000 (100 grant awards) is available.

Texas Workforce Commission - Resources for Employers

At present, the U.S. government and Texas legislature have not changed any laws or rules concerning unemployment benefits during the pandemic. However, Department of Labor guidance provides that federal law permits significant flexibility for states to provide Unemployment Insurance (UI) services related to COVID-19. Based on this, TWC will be waiving work search requirements for all claimants and the waiting week for those claimants affected by COVID-19. Also, Extended Benefits (EB) and Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) are NOT available at this time.

Texas Workforce Commission Encourages Employers to Enrolled in Shared Work Program

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) encourages employers to enroll in Shared Work program as an alternative to layoffs. The voluntary Shared Work program was developed to help Texas employers and employees withstand a slowdown in business such as the impact of COVID-19.

Shared Work allows employers to supplement their employees’ wages lost because of reduced work hours with partial unemployment benefits. Under the program employers can reduce normal weekly work hours for employees in an affected unit by at least 10 percent but not more than 40 percent. Shared Work unemployment benefits are payable to employees who qualify for and participate in an approved Shared Work Plan. Workers may choose not to participate. Employees who qualify will receive both wages and Shared Work unemployment benefits.

The employer can use the Shared Work Plan only for employees whose hours have been reduced. Shared Work benefits can be paid only for wages lost because of a reduction in the employee's regular hours. Regular hours may not exceed 40 hours. An employee who normally works overtime may not receive shared work benefits for a reduction in their overtime hours.

Shared work employees must:

• Submit their unemployment claims on Unemployment Benefits Services
• Be eligible for regular unemployment benefits
• Accept all work offered by the participating employer
• Be able and available for work with the employer

For more information on the Shared Work Program or to apply for the program, click here.

Coronavirus Response Act

You can view an overview of the Coronavirus Response Act here courtesy of Lone Star Benefits, Inc. and Simon | Paschal, PLLC. Included are updates on:

• Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (effective 4/1/20)
• Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (effective 4/1/20)
• Emergency Unemployment Insurance Stabilization and Access Act of 2020
• Existing Laws, Q&A and HDHP's - (COVID-19)

The Department of Labor has indicated that they will not institute enforcement against companies for purported violations of the law through April 17, 2020 as long as employers are attempting good faith compliance with the law.  This generally means that employers must remedy any violations about which they become aware, not engage in any willful violations, and confirm to the DOL in writing that they will comply with the law (in the event of notification of a violation).  We only outline this to let you know that there will be some breathing room for you since the regulations interpreting the law won't be released until early April.  Read the DOL bulletin here.

The DOL has released the required poster/notice related to the new law.  It must be placed in a conspicuous place in the workplace, be emailed or direct mailed to employees, or posted on an internal or external website available to employees.   Download the most current FMLA Poster here.

Watch "Conversation at the Chamber Episode 4" which covers important employment law and health benefit updates.

Because anxiety and worry is at an all-time high due to the Coronavirus outbreak, both Cigna and UnitedHealthcare are making emotional support lines available at no cost to any individual that could benefit from the service. (Information courtesy of Lone Star Benefits, Inc.)

Get Updates from Healthcare Insurance Providers provided by Lone Star Benefits, LLC.

Non-Cigna Clients & Customers Impacted | Communities in Need

For individuals who do not have health benefits or employee assistance program benefits through Cigna but could benefit from talking with a qualified representative, the toll-free number, 866.912.1687, will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for as long as necessary. The service is open to anyone and free of charge to help people manage their stress and anxiety so they can continue to address their everyday needs. Callers may also receive referrals to community resources to help them with specific concerns, including financial and legal matters.

Non-UnitedHealthcare Clients and Customers Impacted

Free service for members and non-members. Emotional support line with specially trained mental health professionals. Available 24/7. Can speak with individuals to help work through fears and can provide referrals to community resources to assist with specific concerns, including financial and legal matters. The number is 866.342.6892.

On March 24, 2020, Denton and Collin Counties issues Executive Orders that go into effect tonight, March 25, 2020, at 11:59 PM. The City of Frisco will be following the "essential business" guidelines outlined in the Denton County Executive Order. These Orders are in effect for 7 days unless extended by the counties. Full Text: Denton County Judge Andy Eads: March 27, 2020, Disaster Declaration Collin County Judge Chris Hill: March 24, 2020, Executive Order Denton County Judge Andy Eads: March 24, 2020, Executive Order

Watch "Conversation with the Chamber Episode 3" which discusses tenant/landlord negotiations.

The Apartment Association has put together some resources for renters that are struggling during this COVID-19 crisis.

Commerical Real Estate: CBRE Tech & Media Group has put together FAQ's from tenants.