As the COVID-19 situation unfolds over the coming months, the San Francisco Council of District Merchants Associations’ goal is to offer resources to local small businesses, and information to keep you and those around you safe.
We recommend that you proactively let your customers know how your business is adapting, and what you plan to do to keep them and your staff safe as businesses are gradually permitted to reopen. The economic impact of COVID-19 may be substantial for many, for the foreseeable future. Find out what assistance the City, the State and the Federal Government are making available to small businesses, and follow the latest and most accurate CDC information from the links here on our COVID-19 Resources page. Download our poster to help inform your customers about the measures you are taking to keep them and your staff safe.
COVID-19 / BUSINESS RESOURCES
City of San Francisco Resources for Employers
OEWD has created a web page that contains resources for San Francisco employers and employees concerning the COVID-19 outbreak. This is a rapidly evolving situation, and the page will be updated as more information is made available.
Deferred Quarterly Business Taxes for Small Businesses
Deferred Annual Small Business Licensing Fee
Grant and Loan Programs
Technical Assistance Accessing SBA Loans Once Available
SF Emerging Business Loan Fund (Main Street Launch)
Getting Reimbursed for Providing Paid Sick Leave to Employees
From Recology: fill in form if you want to temporarily halt collections
San Francisco Executive Order Extending Commercial Eviction Moratorium (4/15/20):
San Francisco extends the deadline for businesses to pay their Business Registration Fee by four months and further extends the deferral of Unified License Fees for businesses (4/21/20):
San Francisco mini-grants to support small businesses in underserved communities (4/26/20):
San Francisco Health Directives for Safe Reopening, by Industry
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Grocers, farmers’ markets, pharmacies, and hardware stores — (Directive 2020-07) (Fillable Health & Safety Plan)
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Restaurants for food take-out and delivery — (Directive 2020-05) (Fillable Health & Safety Plan)
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Delivery services (including 3rd party delivery apps ) — (Directive 2020-06) (Fillable Health & Safety Plan)
These new directives are part of careful preparations for a safe reopening of our City. For comprehensive information and support documents on how businesses can comply, please visit https://sf.gov/coronavirus-safety-essential-businesses.
These add to existing requirements which most essential businesses are already doing, like physical distancing, proper cleaning, and making sure personnel and customers have face coverings. Businesses need to comply with the new requirements by reviewing and adopting the new directives and filling out and posting your Health and Safety Plan by May 16, 2020.
California State Resources for Employers
The California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) has resources available to businesses affected by COVID-19. For the most up-to-date state resources for businesses, visit the GO-Biz resource page.
Delay of State Payroll Reports
Partial Unemployment Insurance Claims to Keep Employees
Work Sharing Program
California State Tax filing deadlines for businesses
Federal Resources for Employers
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)
The SBA provides a number of loan resources for small businesses and assists with access to capital. The SBA will work directly with state and local governments to provide targeted, low-interest loans to small businesses and nonprofits that have been severely impacted.
Assistance to Access SBA Loans
San Francisco OEWD will provide direct technical assistance to local small businesses and nonprofits to ensure they can immediately access the Small Business Administration's (SBA) federal loan program once it becomes available.
IRS RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYERS
The IRS has set up a special section to help taxpayers and businesses affected by COVID-19. The page will be updated as new programs are made available.
Federal Taxes: Filing and Payment Deadline Extended to July 15, 2020 - Updated Statement.
City Resources for Employees
Workers can reach out to OEWD’s Workforce Development Division directly to learn more about the resources below and receive support from staff and a network of service providers: Email workforce.connection@sfgov.org or call 415-701-4817 (Mon-Fri, 9 AM to 5 PM)
RAPID RESPONSE SERVICES FOR GROUP ORIENTATIONS ON RESOURCES
OEWD staff is available to partner with workers, employers and labor unions to conduct Rapid Response Online Orientations to larger groups of impacted employees by providing an overview of available resources remotely.
Paid Sick Leave
EDD RESOURCES
Benefits Programs Online
File Unemployment Claim
File Disability Claim
Workers and Families First Program - Up to 40 hours Additional Paid Sick Leave
Health Care Coverage
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
California Family Rights Act (CFRA)
SF Entertainment Commission Nightlife Relief Resource (for artists, musicians, freelancers, and other entertainment professionals)
State Resources for Employees
The CA Employment Development Division (EDD) provides a variety of support and relief services to employees affected by COVID-19 in California. For the most up-to-date information, visit CA EDD’s COVID-19 resource page.
Reduced Work Hours? Partial Unemployment Available
Sick or Quarantined Workers Can File a Disability Insurance Claim
Up to Six Weeks of Paid Family Leave for Caregiving
California Dept. of Social Services Resources
California State Tax filing deadlines for individuals
Federal Resources for Employees
IRS RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYEES
The IRS has set up a special section to help taxpayers and workers affected by COVID-19. The page will be updated as new programs are made available.
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE
What benefits are you entitled to?
Google, Facebook and Salesforce Small Business Assistance
Google Ad credits for Small and Medium-sized Businesses
Learn more here.
Facebook Small Business Grants Program
Learn more here.
Salesforce offering $10,000 grants to 300 small businesses. For California businesses, the application period opens for ONE week: April 27, 2020 at 8 AM PT to May 4 at 11:59 PM PT.
Additional Local Small Business Resources
Lower Polk Tenant Landlord Clinic
STAY INFORMED
Listen to public health messages from reliable sources:
The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) - Website, Twitter
The San Francisco Department of Emergency Management (SFDEM) - Website, Twitter
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Website, Twitter
For official updates, text COVID19SF to 888-777.
SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service
1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339)
disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
The Hispanic Chambers of Commerce San Francisco, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, the SF Filipino Chamber of Commerce, the African American Chamber of Commerce, the Chinese American Chamber of Commerce, the San Francisco Council of District Merchants Associations and all the San Francisco organizations are working hard to advocate for you. Please contact us with questions or concerns.
If you are a small business who has been impacted by COVID-19 please take a few moments to share your experience to help us tell the Small Business story. Click here to complete the short survey.
