Economic relief for employers


As a member of the House Small Business Committee, I’m doing everything I can to connect local businesses with all the resources we can to navigate this public health emergency.

Please use the menu below to find resources to help you and your business. You can also explore our main menu page to quickly find additional public health and economic relief resources.
 


 

Help for small businesses:

As a member of the Small Business Committee, I’m pushing to make sure that Kansas small businesses can access all the relief they need to stay afloat during this crisis.
 

Apply for assistance – PPP, EIDL, and more 

Here are some resources you should explore if you need assistance.

  • Click here to learn more about emergency help from the Small Business Administration.
     
  • Click here to find additional federal resources for small businesses impacted by COVID-19 at www.covid-sb.org.
     
  • The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): This is a newer federal initiative created by the bipartisan CARES Act, which I supported. It provided loans to help businesses keep their workers employed during this emergency, which may be forgiven.
     
    • PPP has provided crucial support for local small businesses, protecting nearly 100,000 jobs in our community. I voted for bipartisan legislation to provide more flexibility for PPP and to extend the application deadline. Unfortunately, however, PPP stopped accepting new applicants on August 8th, 2020.
       
    • I know small businesses in our region desperately need more assistance and are looking for answers given the scale of this health and economic crisis. As a member of the Small Business Committee, I am continually pushing to bring more relief to our local businesses. That’s why I am cosponsoring legislation to extend and expand PPP. I’ve also been continually pushing to ensure more transparency in the program so it helps small businesses who actually need help - not well connected and large corporations.
       
    • More flexible loan forgiveness: In addition, if you own a small business and have already taken out a PPP loan, Congress also passed legislation in June to provide flexibility so more businesses can have their PPP loans forgiven.
       
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): According to the SBA, EIDL offers long-term, low interest assistance for a small business or non-profit. The funds can be used to cover payroll and inventory, pay debt or fund other expenses.  Additionally, EIDL Advance can provide up to $10,000 ($1,000 per employee) of emergency economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties, and these emergency grants do not have to be repaid.
     
    • EIDL and the EIDL Advanced Program reopened to all businesses again on June 16th, 2020. 
       
    • Click here to visit the EIDL and EIDL Advance Program portal now to see how you can begin applying.
       
    • Here is some additional information about the program, according to the SBA:
       
      • EIDL loans may be used to pay debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact, and that are not already covered by a PPP loan.
         
      • Interest rates are:
         
        • 3.75% for small businesses. 
           
        • 2.75% for non-profits.
           
      • SBA offers loans may be repaid for up to a maximum of 30 years.  The first payment is deferred for one year.
         
      • The EIDL Advance, up to $10,000 is supposed to provide emergency relief to businesses experiencing a temporary loss of revenue. This advance will not have to be repaid, and small businesses may receive an advance even if they are not approved for a loan.
         
  • Paid sick and family leave tax credit: Employers who provide required leave to their employees and who employ less than 500 employees are eligible for a tax credit to offset the costs of paid and family leave. This tax relief will be provided against quarterly payroll taxes (paid in connection to the Form 941).
     
  • SBA Issues New Regulations for Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program

Get help and answers

I’ve heard from small business owners who have had difficulty navigating available assistance programs and don’t know where to turn to get the help they need. Our team is here to connect you with all the help we can.

Please explore the following resources to see if you can find the assistance you need:



More on federal legislation to help small businesses

I know many small business owners ares still struggling and need help. As a member of the Small Business Committee, I am continually pushing to bring more relief to Kansas businesses. That’s why I am cosponsoring legislation, for instance, to extend and expand the Paycheck Protection Program. I know folks are exhausted by the Washington games and I'll keep doing everything I can to help our local entrepreuners get through this crisis.

Here’s more information about the bipartisan CARES Act, which I supported that includes crucial provisions to help small businesses get through this crisis.



Get updates

Finally, if you’re a small business owner who may need this assistance or other emergency help, please fill out the form below. We’ll add you to our email list and alert you when the aid becomes available and connect you with any other resources that we can.

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Help for non-profit organizations

Non-profit groups provide crucial community assistance and like so many organizations, they need support more than ever now. If you run a non-profit, here are some resources that may be available to you.

  • Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance
     
    • I’ve been glad to support emergency legislation to make billions more available to help small businesses at this time. These loans are also available to private non-profits, startups, cooperatives, and the self-employed.
       
  • Investment Connection: Kansas City Federal Reserve
     
    • The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City announced a special launch of its signature community development program Investment Connection, with a focus on connecting nonprofits affected by COVID-19 to funders.

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Workplace safety with COVID-19

The CDC, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) have resources on how both employers and employees can ensure their workplaces are safe as possible during this health crisis.

First, businesses should make accommodations to ensure safety. That includes, but may not be limited to:

There are also resources available to help businesses institute safety standards to ensure safer workplaces. Employees may also have resources if they believe they have to work in unsafe conditions.

  • KDOL Industrial Health and Safety Office: May be able to provide local businesses with free health and safety consultations so employers can make sure that they are operating as safely as they can. It’s a confidential process that can involve a walk-through, follow-up questions, and virtual assistance. You may also call them at (785) 296-4386.
     
  • OSHA: produced a variety of detailed recommendations, developed in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, which businesses in a variety of industries can refer to in order to operate more safely. That includes businesses in retail, construction, dentistry, in-home repair, and more. You can also call them at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).
     
  • CDC: The CDC as well has detailed information on how businesses and workplaces can operate more safely.
     
  • Protections for workers: Likewise, no one should have to choose between their health and collecting a paycheck. As an employee, you also have the right to file a whistleblower complaint if you feel you are being retaliated against for expressing concerns about your health and safety in your work environment. You can get in contact with the Kansas OSHA office if you have any questions at (316) 269-6644.

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Avoid layoffs with shared work

Many businesses are facing steep challenges with this public health emergency and may be considering layoffs. The Shared Work program may be an alternative.

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Help your employees with spreadsheet filing for unemployment insurance

Businesses who find no other option but to temporarily lay off employees due to COVID-19 can help their workers with filing for unemployment.

  • This process allows the employer to submit the application for unemployment insurance benefits for employees who are impacted. 
     
  • Employers who utilize this option will have the ability to communicate directly with the Employer Relations Administrator instead of waiting to speak with a representative at the Unemployment Contact Center.
     
  • Additionally, instead of receiving an Employer Notice for each employee that files for unemployment insurance benefits, the employer will receive one listing of all claims filed off the spreadsheet. 
     
  • To learn more, contact:
     

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