The City of Richmond currently has limited-service due to COVID-19. The city understands that many small businesses may be suffering due to the County's Shelter in Place mandate. To support local businesses through these hard times, there are a few federal, state, and local resources to assist these businesses.

Call Center

• Contra Costa County, Employment & Human Services - This new hotline is open weekdays from 8:30 - 5:00 PM to provide helpful information and resources to assist small businesses affected by COVID-19. For assistance call (833) 320-1919.
  

COVID-19 Employer Resources:

• CDC Guidance for Businesses and Employers
• California Labor & Workforce Development Agency for workers and Employers
• California COVID-19 response services and information
• Cal/OSHA Guidance on Coronavirus

Federal Resources for Businesses:

• SBA - Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources (Multiple Resources)- US Small Business Administration's list of resources for small businesses including; funding options, guidance for businesses and employers, loan assistance, support to access capital, and determine eligibility for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans.
• Disaster Unemployment Assistance (Includes self-employed workers) - US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration Disaster Unemployment Assistance program provides unemployment benefits to individuals who have become unemployed as a direct result of a providentially declared major disaster.
   
• Restore Your Economy - The International Economic Development Council with support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration have put together up-to-date resources related to COVID-19 and its economic Impacts.
  
• Updated Economic Relief Plan (CARES Act)
  
  • Small businesses could receive funding to cover payroll, rent and utilities. The bill aims to cover eight weeks of those costs. Please visit this link to find SBA lenders
  • Unemployment Insurance expansion will increase benefits by $600 per week and unemployment checks can continue for up to 39 weeks and more categories are eligible

State Resources for Businesses:

• Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) COVID-19 (Multiple Resources) - The Northern California Chapter of the SBDC has compiled a list of resources for small businesses including; overview of the Paycheck Protection Program, a CAREs Act Guide, access to online webinars, an assortment of guides, and more.
• OnwardCA.org - One stop resource for people of California impacted by job loss during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
• GO-Biz - The Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has compiled a list of useful information for employers, employees and all California residents as it relates to the COVID-19 Pandemic. You may also make a direct request to talk to a specialist in GO-Biz's Office for  technical assistance by following this link.
• Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program - Small Business Finance Center partners with Financial Development Corporations to provide loan guarantees and direct loans for small businesses that experience capital access barriers. This program allows for loans of up to $20 million and a max guarantee of $1 million with interest rates negotiated between lenders and borrowers.
• CalCAP - California Capital Access Program for Small Businesses is a loan loss reserve program which may provide up to 100% coverage on losses as a result of certain loan defaults. With CalCAP support, a lender may be more comfortable underwriting small business loans.
• Disability Insurance Elective Coverage for Employers and Self-Employed Individuals 
• 1-Week Waiting Period for State Unemployment & Disability Insurance Waived
• Reduced Work Hours - Work Sharing Program - Employers may apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing program if reduced production, services, or other conditions cause them to seek an alliterative to layoffs. The program helps employees whose hours and wages have been reduced to receive UI benefits, keep their current job, and avoid hardships. It allows employers to minimize or eliminate the need for layoffs, keep trained employees, and avoid the cost of recruiting, hiring, and training new employees.
• Request up to a 60-day extension on State Payroll Taxes - Employers experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19 may request up to a 60-day extension of time from the State of California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest. A written request for an extension must be received within 60 days from the original delinquent date of the payment or return. For questions, employers may call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center toll-free from the U.S. or Canada: 1-888-745-3886, Hearing-impaired (TTY): 1-800-547-9565, Outside the U.S. or Canada: 1-916-464-350.
• File a State Unemployment Insurance Claim - Unemployment Insurance is an employer-paid program that provides partial income replacement when one becomes unemployed or has their hours reduced. Follow the link for eligibility requirements.