What provisions does the CARES Act make through the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) Program and Emergency Economic Injury Grants?
EIDLs are low-interest loans of up to $2 million, with principal and interest deferment at the Administrator’s discretion. They are available to pay for expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred and include payroll as well as operating expenses.
Emergency Economic Injury Grants provide an emergency advance of up to $10,000 to small businesses and private non-profits directly impacted by COVID-19. The grants are available within three (3) days of applying for an SBA EIDL. To receive the grant, a business must first apply for an EIDL and then request the advance. This advance is a grant, and therefore is not subject to repayment. The grant may be used to keep employees on payroll, to pay for sick leave, to meet increased production costs, or to pay business obligations such as debts and rent/mortgage payments.
These programs are available from January 31, 2020 – December 31, 2020.
If I receive an EIDL and Emergency Economic Injury Grant, am I still eligible to use the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)?
Yes. However, you may not “double-dip” by using the PPP loan and EIDL/Emergency Grant for the same purpose. For example, if the EIDL is used to cover payroll in April, the PPP loan cannot be used for the payroll costs in the month of April but could be used to cover payroll costs in May. Additionally, the amount of the Emergency Grant will be subtracted from the amount forgiven in the PPP loan.
Are EIDL’s forgiven like the PPP loans?
No. EIDL’s are subject to repayment and interest rates. However, the business may receive an Emergency Economic Grant which does not require repayment.
Who is eligible for an EIDL and an Emergency Economic Injury Grant?
Private businesses and non-profits with 500 or fewer employees are eligible for an EIDL. Employers eligible for an EIDL who have been in operation since January 31, 2020 are also eligible for the Emergency Economic Injury Grant.
To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options.
How do I apply for EIDL and Emergency Economic Injury Grant?
Visit https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. For additional information and assistance, find a local SBA representative by searching https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/find/.
Few of us have ever lived through times as strange and challenging as what we face today. Fortunately, you don’t have to traverse these uncharted waters alone. Through a partnership with Achilles Group, you will have a team of HR experts ready and able to help you navigate your way to safe and profitable harbors.
To learn more about how we can assist you during the COVID-19 crisis, please contact Jennifer Heylmun at 281-469-1800 or by email at jennifer.heylmun@achillesgroup.com.
