Supporting Businesses Through Covid19

Businesses seeking assistance are encouraged to contact the Office of Economic Development at 516-6043.

Additional information about relief from the effects of COVID-19 on local businesses can be found at the State of New Hampshire's COVID-19 web page at https://www.nh.gov/covid19/, the CDC's COVID-19 page for businesses and employers at https://go.usa.gov/xdeVN, and the state's Department of Business and Economic Affairs page at https://www.nheconomy.com/covid19.

FEDERAL RESOURCES

• CARES Act (Coronavirus Air, Relief and Economic Security Act) addresses the economic impact of COVID-19 19 and dedicates $350 billion towards small businesses. This federal stimulus act was signed into law on March 27, 2020 and enhances the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and created the Paycheck Protection Plan (see above).
  
• Small Business Guide to the CARES Act
  
• Learn more and apply for an SBA Loan
• CARES Act full bill text 
• SBA Loans:
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) is a direct loan from the federal government. Any small business can apply, with very limited exclusions. Independent contractors, freelancers, gig workers, home-based businesses and any other sole-proprietor can apply. Nonprofits can also apply. The loan is for working capital to pay your business operational expenses, not to expand your business. It can be used to pay an owner their draw or wage for their living expenses. Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance will provide up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties within 3 days of a successful application. Apply for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
  • Paycheck Protection Plan was created by the CARES Act to support COVID-19-impacted small business owners and their employees by providing loans that can be forgiven, in support of payroll expenses, mortgage, or rent. This program became available on April 3. Loans are from banks or other lenders. You should first reach out to your bank if they offer the program. Find a lender. Small businesses or nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in operation prior to Feb. 15, 2020 and paid employees or paid independent contractors under 1099 are eligible. You are also eligible for a PPP loan if you are an individual who operates under a sole proprietorship or as an independent contractor or eligible self-employed individual, you were in operation on February 15, 2020. Loans amounts cannot exceed $10 million. Loan amounts are based on 2.5 times your average monthly payroll. Payroll is fully loaded, included payroll taxes, insurance, group-health, and retirement. Payroll in excess of $100,000 per employee is excluded, but the pay up to $100,000 for that employee is included. Forgiveness of the loan would be done on demonstrated payroll, rent, mortgage, or utility costs made by the small business between Feb 15, 2020 and June 30, 2020.
• Small Business Debt Relief will pay the principal, interest, and fees of current 7(a) loans for a six-month period and of new 7(a) loans issued prior to September 27, 2020.
• SBA Express Bridge Loans enable small businesses with a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly.
• SBA is also providing guidance for employers to plan and respond to COVID-19.
• Internal Revenue Services (IRS) is offering Federal Income Tax Extensions.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers interim guidance for businesses and employers to plan, prepare and respond to coronavirus.
• Department of Labor OSHA has guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19.
  
  

STATE RESOURCES

• NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs:
  • Website
  • COVID-19 Relief Resources

• NH Business Tax and Interest & Dividends
  • COVID-19 Pandemic Tax Relief 
  • Interpretation

• New Hampshire Procurement Technical Assistance Center (NH PTAC) is a free resource for companies doing business with the federal government.
  

• BIA's COVID-19 Information and Resources for Employers (updated twice daily)

• Emergency Childcare for Essential Workers
  

• Community Development Finance Authority (CDFA) COVID19 Resources

• NH Employment Security (NHES) Layoffs and business closures: If your business faces a potential layoff, the State of New Hampshire offers services through its Rapid Response program.
  
  

  • Employers facing potential layoffs or closures should contact Joe Doiron at Joseph.Doiron@livefree.nh.gov, 603-271-0146, to activate a Rapid Response team. More information can be found at NH Works.

  • Employees experiencing layoffs: The State of New Hampshire offers a number of services for employees who have been laid off.  Individuals will need to file for unemployment each week of temporary unemployment and this can and should be done online or by calling the hotline at 603-271-7700.

  • Filing for unemployment. You are assigned a day and time to file based on the first letter of your last name. The unemployment system hotline is 603-271-7700. Payments are made beginning eight days from when the claim is filed. Those filing claims must login again for each week of continued eligibility and file a continued claim.

  • If you’re self-employed and have filed for unemployment benefits, ignore the denial message you receive. Your unemployment claim requires time to process. You will receive a telephone call from NHES to obtain wage information to process and complete your unemployment claim.

  • File a Claim

LOCAL RESOURCES

• Dover CARES: To assist in overcoming the financial and emotional challenges many are experiencing now and in the weeks and months ahead, a number of programs and services are already in place or being implemented by the City of Dover. These measures are being coordinated with federal, state and private efforts, and provide economic support and financial relief to all residents, businesses and nonprofits affected by the COVID-19 crisis and in need of assistance. More information.
  

• Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 page

FAQs

• Does my insurance cover business interruption?