If your small business was not part of the Paycheck Protection Program last year, community financial institutions are able to make First Draw PPP Loans beginning today, Monday, January 11th, while those seeking additional assistance who were part of the program last year can apply for Second Draw PPP Loans beginning this Wednesday, January 13th.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, reports that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open this week for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. After the community financial institutions have their early access to the program it will open to all participating lenders shortly thereafter. Updated PPP guidance outlining Program changes to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility was released on January 6 in accordance with the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act.
This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.
Administrator Jovita Carranza says, “The historically successful Paycheck Protection Program served as an economic lifeline to millions of small businesses and their employees when they needed it most,” and adds, “Today’s guidance builds on the success of the program and adapts to the changing needs of small business owners by providing targeted relief and a simpler forgiveness process to ensure their path to recovery.”
Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin says, “The Paycheck Protection Program has successfully provided 5.2 million loans worth $525 billion to America’s small businesses, supporting more than 51 million jobs,” and adds, “This updated guidance enhances the PPP’s targeted relief to small businesses most impacted by COVID-19. We are committed to implementing this round of PPP quickly to continue supporting American small businesses and their workers.”
Key PPP updates include:
- PPP borrowers can set their PPP loan’s covered period to be any length between 8 and 24 weeks to best meet their business needs;
- PPP loans will cover additional expenses, including operations expenditures, property damage costs, supplier costs, and worker protection expenditures;
- The Program’s eligibility is expanded to include 501(c)(6)s, housing cooperatives, destination marketing organizations, among other types of organizations;
- The PPP provides greater flexibility for seasonal employees;
- Certain existing PPP borrowers can request to modify their First Draw PPP Loan amount; and
- Certain existing PPP borrowers are now eligible to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.
A borrower is generally eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan if the borrower:
- Previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will or has used the full amount only for authorized uses;
- Has no more than 300 employees; and
- Can demonstrate at least a 25-percent reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.
The new guidance released includes:
- PPP Guidance from SBA Administrator Carranza on Accessing Capital for Minority, Underserved, Veteran, and Women-owned Business Concerns;
Guidance-on-Accessing-Capital-for-Underserved-508
- Interim Final Rule on Paycheck Protection Program as Amended by Economic Aid Act; and:
PPP-IFR-Paycheck-Protection-Program-as-Amended-by-Economic-Aid-Act-1.6.2021-508
- Interim Final Rule on Second Draw PPP Loans:
PPP-IFR-Second-Draw-Loans-1.6.2021-508
For more information on SBA’s assistance to small businesses, visit http://sba.gov/ppp or http://treasury.gov/cares.
