UPDATE: Oregon Unemployment Benefits tutorial and AARP information, CARES, Pamplin grant, PPP , more

Posted onAuthorMichelle Walch

Oregon Unemployment Benefits and AARP information and more.

This list is updated with small business COVID-19-related relief information. 

Questions about the State of Oregon Unemployment Benefits?  Watch this tutorial.

Here is a webinar on how solo businesses may qualify for unemployment. Freelancers and solos have never before been able to apply for unemployment. This tutorial is worth taking, it is very clear.

Oregon Employment Department Portal for Contractors & Self-Employed to claim benefits

The Oregon Employment Department has opened a new portal for contractors and self-employed workers who are filing for unemployment for the first time as part of the expanded unemployment benefits available through the federal CARES Act. The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program provides unemployment benefits for those who are not normally eligible to receive these benefits.  Now, it is for those who are out of work due to COVID-19.
  • The minimum weekly benefit is $205, with an additional benefit amount of 1.25% of your total base year earnings (if eligible for the higher benefit). Those who are eligible for unemployment will also receive an additional Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefit of $600 per week, paid in a separate payment. This additional $600 is potentially payable for the weeks March 29 through July 25, 2020.
  • These benefits last for up to 39 weeks. Possible eligible weeks begin on the week starting February 2, 2020.
  • The Oregon Employment Department estimates that it could take between one week and one month to process claims.

To apply, visit https://govstatus.egov.com/ui-benefits/CARES

AARP information and help

Visit this AARP link to find information on business tips, where to get tested for COVID19, find food, get Oregon Tax information and much, much more. Visit:

Pamplin Media Group Matching Grant for Small Business Advertising

Pamplin is offering advertising grants of $250 to $10,000 a month for small businesses. Learn more and apply HERE.

UPDATE 6/23/20: Payment Protection Program Loan Forgiveness

Reprinted from the SBA about the Payment Protection Program: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has posted a revised, borrower-friendly Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness application.
New EZ version of the forgiveness application that applies to borrowers that:
  • Are self-employed and have no employees; OR
  • Did not reduce the salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25%, and did not reduce the number or hours of their employees; OR
  • The EZ application requires fewer calculations and less documentation for eligible borrowers. Details regarding the applicability of these provisions are available in the instructions to the new EZ application form, linked below.
Both applications give borrowers the option of using the original 8-week covered period (if their loan was made before June 5, 2020) or an extended 24-week covered period. These changes will result in a more efficient process and make it easier for businesses to realize full forgiveness of their PPP loan.

 

NOTE:

  • Experienced reductions in business activity as a result of health directives related to COVID-19
  • And did not reduce the salaries or wages of their employees by more than 25%

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Portal Reopens

Businesses who submitted a COVID-19 EIDL application prior to March 30 and have a “2” as the lead number in their application confirmation number must reapply using the new streamlined application for their application to be processed. Applicants with a “3” on the front of their 10 digit application confirmation number mean they have successfully applied using SBA’s new streamlined application and the SBA is processing the application. Businesses will be notified directly when the loan is approved.

Visit this EIDL link to go to the application.

For any questions related to EIDL or EIDL Advance, contact the SBA Office of Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.

Oregonian/OregonLive Matching Grant

Get advertising and marketing support.  Apply for the CARES grant.

Looking for more COVID-19/Pandemic-related information?  Check out this blog on resources, opportunities.