SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Update
WHEN COLORADO WILL BE ELIGIBLE:

The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). All 64 Colorado counties have been advanced by Governor Jared Polis for inclusion in the  U .S. Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. We are still awaiting final approval from SBA and will share updates once we know more.

Until then, here is how you can prepare:

ELIGIBLE ENTITIES:

  • Applicants must meet the SBA requirements of a small business (500 employees or fewer)
  • Businesses directly affected by COVID-19
  • Businesses that offer services directly related to the businesses in the declaration
  • Other businesses indirectly related the industry that are likely to be harmed by losses in their community (Example: Manufacturer of widgets may be eligible as well as the wholesaler and retailer of the product)

INELIGIBLE ENTITIES:

  • Agricultural Enterprises: If the primary activity of the business (including its affiliates) is as defined in Section 18(b)(1) of the Small Business Act, neither the business nor its affiliates are eligible for EIDL assistance.
  • Religious Organizations
  • Charitable Organizations
  • Gambling Concerns (Ex: Concerns that derive more that 1/3 of their annual gross revenue from legal gambling activities)
  • Casinos & Racetracks (Ex: Businesses whose purpose for being is gambling (e.g., casinos, racetracks, poker parlors, etc.) are not eligible for EIDL assistance regardless of 1/3 criteria above.
  • Cannabis Industry

LOAN APPROVAL CRITERIA:

  • Credit History: Applicants must have a credit history acceptable to SBA.
  • Repayment: SBA must determine that the applicant business has the ability to repay the SBA loan.
  • Eligibility: The applicant business must be physically located in a declared county and suffered working capital losses due to the declared disaster, not due to a downturn in the economy or other reasons.

HOW MUCH YOU CAN BORROW:

  • Eligible entities may qualify for loans up to $2 million. 
  • The interest rates for this disaster are 3.75 percent for small businesses and 2.75 percent for nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. 
  • Eligibility for these working capital loans are based on the size (must be a small business) and type of business and its financial resources.  

HOW THE FUNDS CAN BE USED:

These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits or for expansion. Funds cannot be used to pay down long-term debt.

WHAT IS NEEDED TO APPLY:

  • Completed SBA loan application (SBA Form 5).
  • Tax Information Authorization (IRS Form 4506T) for the applicant, principals and affiliates.
  • Complete copies of the most recent Federal Income Tax Return.
  • Schedule of Liabilities (SBA Form 2202).
  • Personal Financial Statement (SBA Form 413).
  • Income, balance sheet, and cash flow documents.
  • Other Information may also be requested.

OTHER INFORMATION THAT MAY BE REQUESTED:

  • Complete copy, including all schedules, of the most recent Federal income tax return for principals, general partners or managing member, and affiliates (see filing requirements for more information).
  • If the most recent Federal income tax return has not been filed, a year-end profit-and-loss statement and balance sheet for that tax year.
  • A current year-to-date profit-and-loss statement.
  • Additional Filing Requirements (SBA Form 1368) providing monthly sales figures. (This is especially important for Economic Injury Disaster Loans.)

HOW SOON WILL BUSINESSES RECEIVE MONEY?

  • Small businesses that submit complete loan packages could receive money within three (3) weeks.
  • Incomplete information and verification of collateral will delay approval process.

HOW TO APPLY:

  • Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
  • Paper loan applications can be downloaded from www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. 
  • Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

  • Include the specific disaster in your application - specifically reference "COVID-19" or Coronavirus.
  • Apply online vs by mail.
  • Write your password down; neither the system nor any personnel are able to retrieve it.
  • Save your work at every prompt.
  • Do not rush through the application. Check and recheck the filing requirements to ensure that all the needed information is submitted. The biggest reason for delays in processing is due to missing information. Make sure to complete all filing requirements before submitting the application and forms.
  • Be sure to use the same contact information (business name and the name of all owners) that you use on your federal tax returns. Double check that they match.
  • If your tax returns reference other businesses that you own, you must also submit those tax returns in order to avoid processing delay.
  • If more funds are needed, applicants can submit supporting documents and a request for an increase. If less funds are needed, applicants can request a reduction in the loan amount.
  • If the loan request is denied, the applicant will be given up to six months in which to provide new information and submit a written request for reconsideration.
A note from the Northwest SBDC
I recognize that stress is at an all-time high for our business owners in Northwest Colorado. I am committed to sending out updates regarding resources as soon as they are available. Please watch for this newsletter to be delivered every 2-3 days, or more frequently as updates require.

While it is difficult to respond to individual phone calls and emails, I will do my best to compile and respond to the reoccurring questions via this channel. Resources are also compiled below, and feel free to send me links to your community resources.

Recognizing that this is an unprecedented occurrence in our country, we will learn together and we will get through this as a community. In the meantime, let's all look for ways to support small businesses and buy local whenever possible. Many of your local retailers are offering delivery or pickup services.

Raising my glass of vitamin water,

Erin McCuskey
Regional Director
Northwest SBDC

Stay Informed


  • County-specific business information including tools that can help business owners anywhere is compiled here:
Resources for Employers
Resources offered from Colorado Department of Labor & Employment:

  • Emergency Paid Leave Rule - This rule is meant to limit the spread of highly contagious disease and enables workers in at-risk occupations to access testing.

  • Unemployment Insurance - During layoffs, all employees are encouraged to apply for unemployment insurance. Those who are job-attached (meaning workers will be expected to return after a separation of up to 16 weeks) should file as "job-attached."

  • Work-Share Program may allow certain employees who have had reduced hours to claim partial unemployment benefits.