MESSAGE FROM CATHERINE

Dear John,

I know that this is an extremely difficult time financially for many in our community. That’s why this week, the Board of Supervisors, Mayor London Breed, and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development announced the creation of a new Emergency Loan Fund and a $9 million expansion of the Small Business Resiliency Fund.

The Emergency Loan Fund will provide small businesses up to $50,000 in zero-interest loans, while the Resiliency Fund, which launched in March, will grow to support over 200 small businesses that need immediate relief in the form of grants. These significant resources are just two of the many resources San Francisco is offering to those experiencing hardship in our local economy.  

Donations: If you are able, please consider supporting the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic by making a tax-deductible donation – which can support disaster supplies, food and shelter, our small businesses, and more – to the Give2SF COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund.

If you work at or manage a business in San Francisco, visit the Office of Economic and Workforce Development’s website for the most up-to-date information on accessing resources provided by the City, the State of California, and the federal government. 

Please keep reading for more specific information on these resources as of today.

Policies for Small Businesses and Individuals Impacted by COVID-19

Eviction Moratorium: The City has prohibited commercial and residential evictions due to nonpayment until at least May 3, and has partnered with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights to help small businesses at risk of displacement with lease review, negotiation, and related services. Find more information and enroll here. 

Tax and Fee Deferral: The City has also deferred business taxes due before April 30 for nine months with no interest or penalties for businesses with up to $10 million in gross receipts, in addition to deferring collection of annual small business license and permit fees for at least three months.

State and federal income taxes have likewise been extended. California businesses and individual tax filers affected by COVID-19 now have an additional 60 to 90 days to file and pay State income taxes. The IRS has also announced that the federal income tax filing date has been extended to July 15, 2020.

The State has also granted a 60-day extension to file State payroll reports and/or deposit State payroll taxes without penalty or interest. To access this extension you must submit, in writing, a request for extension that includes the impact of COVID-19 on your business. Call 888-745-3886 with any questions.

Low-cost internet options are available at this time. Please visit this website to find out more information.

Additionally, water shutoffs and late fees have been suspended for at least 60 days during the course of the local emergency, PG&E has agreed not to disconnect power due to nonpayment until further notice, and Recology is allowing businesses to suspend their commercial collection services.   

Sick Leave: If you pay San Francisco employees for extra sick time, the City will reimburse up to $15.59 per hour for extra sick leave up to 40 hours through its new Workers and Families First Program. Please call 415-554-6134 with any questions and apply here.

Information about alternatives to layoffs that can help employers keep their employees when there is a lack of work or during financial hardship is also available on the Office of Economic and Workforce Development’s website.

Resources for Businesses and Employers

SBA Payment Protection: Small businesses and nonprofits with 500 or fewer employees, or more in certain industries, can access the federal Small Business Administration’s Payment Protection Program, which provides small businesses with fully forgivable funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs, including benefits, by submitting an application through any existing SBA 7(a) lender, any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, or Farm Credit System institution, as soon as possible. Applications must be submitted by June 30 and are available here.  

SBA Disaster Loans: The Small Business Administration is also offering San Francisco nonprofits and businesses low-interest federal disaster loans up to $2 million. Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that cannot be paid due to the pandemic. Visit this website to apply. 

The City has partnered with nonprofit Main Street Launch to make loans up to $250,000 available to businesses and nonprofits operating in San Francisco. Call 415-213-8677 or email [email protected] to find out if you are eligible.

Small to mid-sized arts organizations also may be eligible for low-interest loans up to $50,000 from Northern California Grantmakers, as the City has added $1 million to the organization’s Arts Loan Fund. Visit their website to learn more and apply.

Arts: Arts organizations and individual artists in need can apply to grants through the SF Arts and Artists Relief Fund to help pay rent, salaries, and more by visiting the program website.

Resources for Employees  

Sick Leave: The City’s Paid Sick Leave Ordinance requires employers to provide paid sick leave to all employees who perform work in San Francisco, including temporary and part-time employees. If you qualify, you will be paid at your normal rate, and paid sick leave will be issued on your normal paycheck. For any questions about Paid Sick Leave please call 415-554-6271 or email [email protected]. 

Childcare: In addition, free emergency child care is available to certain employees working in San Francisco, including low-income families on the Recreation and Park scholarship, healthcare workers in private and public hospitals, Disaster Service Workers, essential employees of the Department of Public Health, and employees who are a part of the Community Clinic Consortium. Eligible employees should have received an invitation to participate. If you think you may be eligible but have not received an invitation, please contact my office at [email protected]. 

Unemployment and Disability: If you lost your job or had your work hours reduced due to COVID-19, you can file an Unemployment Insurance claim through the State’s Employment Development Department. Payments will begin within a few weeks of the State’s receiving your claim, and can range from $40 to $450 per week, from 13 to 26 weeks. Estimate your potential weekly benefit amount here.

If you are unable to work due to medical quarantine or illness related to COVID-19, you may be eligible for State Disability Insurance. For more information and to apply, please visit the program website.

If you are unable to complete your usual responsibilities because you contracted COVID-19 during the regular course of your work, you may be eligible for temporary disability payments through the State’s Workers’ Compensation program. You must have contracted COVID-19 during the regular course of your work to be eligible. If this applies to you, you can file a claim here.

Resources for Self-Employed Individuals

Beginning April 10, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply for the federal Small Business Administration’s Payment Protection Program, which provides fully forgivable funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs, including benefits, by submitting an application through any existing SBA 7(a) lender, any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, or Farm Credit System institution, as soon as possible. Applications are available here.

If you have exhausted your Unemployment Insurance or are ineligible, you can file for Disaster Unemployment Assistance by filing an Unemployment Insurance claim. If you are self-employed and unable to work or have had your hours reduced due to COVID-19, or are sick or caring for a sick family member, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance, Disability Insurance, or Paid Family Leave benefits. You are encouraged to file a claim to determine your eligibility. File an Unemployment Insurance claim here, and a State Disability Insurance Claim here.

If you believe you were misclassified as an Independent Contractor, please submit a Request for Preliminary Worker Classification Assessment or Audit Lead Referral here.

As always, please stay safe and reach out to my office if you have any concerns or need any assistance. We can be reached at 415-554-7752 or at [email protected]. 

Warm regards,

Catherine

Office of Supervisor Catherine Stefani
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 260, San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 554-7752 Fax: (415) 554-7843