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Special Edition- Coronavirus (COVID-19)
As a partner of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), we care about the success of your business as well as the health and well-being of your employees and all Floridians.
 
Given the current environment, we want to ensure you and your business community has all the up-to-date information to mitigate the economic impacts of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
 
Under Governor DeSantis’ direction, DEO activated the Business Damage Assessment Survey. This survey is a critical piece of our work to help businesses throughout the state lessen the impacts the efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 will have on their bottom line. The information we gather is invaluable and helps us access tools in our toolbox to help businesses recover. If your business has been impacted, please go to FloridaDisaster.biz and complete the survey.

Additionally, Governor Ron DeSantis activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program to support small businesses impacted by COVID-19. The short-term, interest-free loans up to $50,000 help bridge the gap between the time the economic impact occurred and when a business secures other financial resources. Currently, $50 million has been allocated for the program. The application period opened March 17, 2020 and runs through May 8, 2020. Visit FloridaDisaster.biz to learn more. 
 
Below you will find additional resources our Agency can provide to your business and employees.

As always, please reach out to me or my team if you have any questions or concerns relating to your business and COVID-19. Our team is here to help you!
 
 
Ken 
Resources for Businesses and Employers
Business Damage Assessment Survey
The Business Damage Assessment Survey is a critical piece of DEO’s efforts to help gather the information needed to evaluate and access tools to help businesses potentially lessen the impacts of COVID-19 and help the economy recover. To submit a survey response, please visit FloridaDisaster.biz .

Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program
DEO works with the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network and Florida First Capital Finance Corporation to provide cash flow to businesses economically impacted by COVID-19. The short-term, interest-free loans of up to $50,000 to help bridge the gap between the time the economic impact occurred and when a business secures other financial resources. Currently, $50 million has been allocated for the program. The application period opened March 17, 2020 and runs through May 8, 2020. Visit FloridaDisaster.biz to learn more. 

Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan
The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program provides small businesses with working capital loans up to $2 million that can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue businesses may be experiencing. For more information, visit FloridaDisaster.biz .

Short-Time Compensation Program
The Short-Time Compensation Program is designed to provide prorated Reemployment Assistance benefits to employees that have had work hours and earnings reduced as part of a Short-Time Compensation plan to avoid a total layoff of some employees. This program allows Employers to avoid the expense of recruiting, hiring, and training new workers when business conditions improve. While employees are spared the hardships of full unemployment, employers are able to retain employees who can resume high production levels when business conditions improve. More about the Short-time Compensation Program can be found on FloridaJobs.org .
Resources For Employees
Reemployment Assistance (RA) Benefits
Reemployment Assistance provides temporary wage replacement benefits to eligible individuals who are out of work through no fault of their own. If your employment has been negatively impacted as a result of the mitigation efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, you may be eligible to receive RA benefits. RA claims are handled by the CONNECT system. You can file your claim by accessing CONNECT through www.FloridaJobs.org in the Reemployment Assistance Service Center in the right-hand corner of the page.

People who need assistance filing a claim online because of legal reasons, computer illiteracy, language barriers, or disabilities may call 1-800-204-2418 or visit FloridaJobs.org .

Temporary Layoff Program
A Temporary Layoff occurs when the employee is separated from their job due to lack of work, and the employee has a return-to-work date within eight weeks of the separation. An employee that is temporarily laid off from work may be eligible for RA benefits. You can file your claim by accessing CONNECT through www.floridajobs.org in the Reemployment Assistance Service Center in the right-hand corner of the page.

People who need assistance filing a claim may call 1-800-204-2418 or visit FloridaJobs.org .

Contact Information:
Emergency Support Function 18 –
Business, Industry and Economic Stabilization ESF18@em.myflorida.com