COVID-19 Small Business Relief Finder

Find financial relief to get your business through COVID-19.

We’ve sorted through federal, state, and private resources to help you find loans, credits, and grants for your small business.

Use our table to find relief options and apply now.

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Explore your small business relief options

We’ve organized all the federal, state, and local small business relief options in one place. Use our table below to find the loans, grants, and credits that can help you navigate this challenging time.

Did we miss anything? Submit a resource

How to use the table

The resources are organized by state, and you can use the filter feature at the top of the spreadsheet to show programs by resource type, business type, or other criteria that’s relevant to your business. Click the magnifying glass icon in the upper-right corner to search for a specific state or program. You can also download a copy of the entire table by clicking the three dots in the menu and selecting “download CSV.”

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What are the different types of COVID-19 relief programs?

There are several kinds of financial assistance programs available for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Many of the national resources were created by federal legislation, like the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. There are also state, regional, and city-specific programs designed to support local businesses.

Types of financial programs

These financial programs typically fall under two categories: loans and grants.

A loan is borrowed money that’s paid back over time. Depending on the loan terms, the amount may need to be repaid with interest or within a certain timeframe. Some loans, like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan that was established by the CARES Act, may be forgivable if all the loan criteria are met.
A grant is money that does not need to be repaid. While many of the COVID-19 business grants come from the private sector, there are also grants that are sponsored by governments.

You can also look to the private sector for relief, whether it’s renegotiating deals with suppliers, asking for extended payment terms from lenders, or opening up discussions with landlords about lowering rent payments.

Here, we'll take a look at a handful of key questions to ask yourself when choosing the right relief option for your business and also will look at some of the larger short-term relief options available to small businesses.

What to consider when choosing the right relief option for your business

How much money do you need?

Some businesses may go far with a small cash infusion, while other companies may need a significant amount of capital to stay afloat during times of crisis.

What type of business do you own?

Some loans and grants are created for specific industries or business types, so it may be a good idea to find those relief programs that apply specifically to your business. For instance, some grant programs are designed for nonprofit organizations, while others have funds reserved for women-owned businesses.

How many employees do you have?

Many loans and grants have size requirements, which need to be taken into account. A small mom-and-pop business with 10 employees may be ineligible for a program tailored to businesses with 100 employees and vice-versa.

How do you plan to use the money?

Think about how you’d need to spend the money received to keep your business afloat—and whether the program allows for that kind of spend. Some loans and grants can only be used for specific expenses, while some loans are only forgivable if certain conditions are met, like the Paycheck Protection Program’s payroll and rent requirements. Apply for the financial assistance programs that best fit your needs.

Finally, keep in mind that many of these relief options can work together to provide significant help for businesses impacted by COVID-19. Don't limit yourself to one program—examine which options would provide the most significant near- and mid-term relief. To help the funds you receive go further, you may also want to consider ways to pivot your business or cut expenses.

National resources for COVID-19 relief

There are several small business relief programs established by the federal government and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). They include:

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan

The Paycheck Protection Program was created by the CARES Act, and offers forgivable loans of up to $10 million to eligible small businesses. The primary purpose of the loan needs to be for retaining employees, as well as covering business expenses like rent, mortgage, and utility payments.

A PPP loan is based on your typical monthly payroll expenses. If you use the funding to maintain or re-hire employees, the loan is eligible for total forgiveness. Or in other words, recipients don’t have to pay it back. The portion of the loan that is not forgiven becomes a two-year loan with a fixed 1% interest rate.

To apply for a PPP loan, you need to apply through an SBA approved lender and wait for approval. If you’re approved, you’ll get your loan within 10 days.

Benefit name: Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan
What it includes: A potentially forgivable loan used toward monthly payroll expenses
Amount: Up to $10 million per business
Requirements: Your business should qualify as a “small business concern,” defined by the Small Business Act, which means you need to have a certain employee size or revenue. More information about size standards can be found on the SBA’s website.
How to apply: Ask a lending institution, like a bank, or apply directly through our list of approved lenders.

SBA Disaster Assistance

The SBA Disaster Assistance program includes both the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and the EIDL Advance. The EIDL provides low-interest loans to businesses, renters, and homeowners located in any region impacted by disasters, including all 50 states that are currently being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The EIDL Advance grant program provides small business emergency relief. However, due to immense demand, the SBA announced it will now only provide grants to agricultural businesses until further notice. Eligible agricultural businesses include those involved in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and the raising of livestock and aquaculture. Eligible businesses must also have 500 or fewer employees to apply for the EIDL Advance grant.

Benefit name: SBA Disaster Assistance
What it includes: Low-interest loans with long-term payback terms of up to 30 years, or small emergency grants based on number of employees
Amount: Visit the SBA’s website for the most up-to-date information
Requirements: Your business must be located in a declared disaster zone, which includes all 50 states during the COVID-19 crisis. Qualifying businesses must also have 500 or fewer employees. Further restrictions may apply due to overwhelming demand.
How to apply: Visit the SBA’s website

SBA Express Bridge Loans

The SBA Express Bridge Loan program provides up to $25,000 of funding to any business that has an existing relationship with an approved SBA Express Lender. In a disaster situation, like COVID-19, these loans are typically used to cover business expenses while applying for an EIDL loan. SBA Express Bridge Loans can be fully or partially covered by any funding received through the EIDL loan program.

Benefit name: Express Bridge Loans
What it includes: A loan to help temporarily cover expenses while applying for the EIDL program
Amount: Up to $25,000
Requirements: You have to be a small business owner applying for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan
How to apply: Businesses must apply through a third-party lender. Browse the SBA’s website for a list of approved lenders.

SBA Debt Relief

The SBA has also extended various debt relief measures to businesses affected by COVID-19. Under the program, the SBA will cover six months of principal plus interest payments, as well as any associated fees borrowers owe for all active 7(a) loans, 504 loans, and microloans. The assistance is automatically applied to eligible loans, so you don’t need to submit an application.

Keep in mind that SBA debt relief is not available for PPP loans or EIDL loans. There is automatic deferment available for disaster loan payments, which won't be due until December 31, 2020.

Benefit name: Debt relief extension
What it includes: Covers six months of loan principal, interest payments, and fees for small businesses with outstanding SBA loans
Requirements: Borrowers must be currently paying back a loan disbursed prior to Sept. 27, 2020. PPP loans and EIDLs are not eligible.
How to apply: No application is needed

State and local resources for COVID-19 relief

Depending on where you do business, there may be additional resources available through your state and local governments. Here’s a snapshot of some of the programs states are extending to small businesses.

Emergency loan

Many states are providing low- or no-interest loans to small businesses, including Delaware's Hospitality Emergency Loan Program (HELP) and Maine’s small business loan programs.

State and local grants

Some states have launched grant programs to support local businesses in need. For example, Illinois set up coronavirus relief grants for bars and restaurants, while Michigan is offering a variety of grants through its small business relief programs.

Tax extensions and waivers

State business taxes are also getting more lenient. For example, in Massachusetts, some late penalties have been waived for businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

We’ve done the research so you don’t have to.

Our Small Business Relief Finder is a shortcut to finding the best assistance options for your business. For a full, detailed breakdown of government programs, changing regulations, and more, visit our Resource Hub.

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