COVID-19 Resources and Information

Posted April 8, 2020

During these very trying and unnerving times, access to information about assistance available to you, your family, and your business can sometimes make all the difference.

 

Chairman David B. Donaldson and members of the Ulster County Legislature would like to share with you some resources available in Ulster County, New York State and the City of Kingston put in place to help small business and individuals weather this storm. 

COVID-19 Virtual Center

Project Resilience
Project Resilience is a community fund and local food distribution effort to support residents impacted by COVID-19. This program helps Ulster County residents in need and provides support to small businesses. Through partnerships with United Way of Ulster County and many area organizations, businesses and volunteers, Project Resilience can provide residents in need with meals, services and financial assistance. Learn more.

 Request Meal Assistance

Day Care for Essential Workers

Donate to Project Resilience via United Way of Ulster County

 

COVID-19 Information for Ulster County Businesses

Visit the Ulster County COVID Information website for helpful information from the Department of Economic Development about resources available to Ulster County small businesses and for answers to frequently asked questions. 

Contact the Department of Economic Development at oed[at]co.ulster.ny[dot]us to request email updates.

 

 Kingston Recovers - Business

Click HERE to learn about relief and resources for local businesses.

Visit Kingston Recovers for COVID-19 information and resources available to small businesses in the City of Kingston. The site outlines what businesses need to access CARES Act financial assistance programs. The site also provides links to helpful webinars, check lists for operating a business in emergency situations, how to prevent workplace exposures to coronavirus, and guidance on following and implementing Executive Orders.

 

Kingston Recovers - Residents 

Click HERE to learn about relief and resources for Ulster County residents. 

Kingston Recovers also provides important information to workers, homeowners and tenants about resources and financial assistance available through the federal CARES Act. Learn about Enhanced Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits, Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Pandemic Unemployment Compensation and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, mortgage relief, and the Residential Rehabilitation Program for Kingston homeowners. Learn if you are eligible and how to apply. Read more. 

 

Empire State facts and latest info COVID-19

Get the latest information on COVID-19 pandemic in New York State HERE
 

IMPORTANT NOTICE
NYS on PAUSE has been extended to April 29

 All non-essential workers must continue to work from home and schools will be closed through April 29th. Learn about Governor Cuomo’s NYS On Pause 10-point plan to assure the safety of all residents in New York State.

Click here to sign-up for New York State Coronavirus email updates.

 

Empire State COVID-19 Business Info

Access the most up-to-date information and resources for New York State businesses.

 

Empire State Development provides up-to-date guidance for the agency’s partners and other stakeholders impacted by the virus. This is a rapidly changing situation and ESD will be updating the resources below to reflect the latest information available.

 

Click HERE to apply for an COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan.

 

SBA Lending Programs: NOW AVAILALBE TO FARMS and INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Emergency Advance (EIDL) Loans provide up to $10,000 of economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

The EIDL program is for any small business with less than 500 employees (including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed persons), 501(c)(3) non-profit organization or 501(c)(19) veterans organizations affected by COVID-19. The Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance funds will be made available within days of a successful application, and this loan advance will not have to be repaid. Learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions for faith-based organizations participating in the EIDL Loan Program or the Paycheck Protection Program.
Click here to apply for an EIDL loan.

 

Click HERE to learn how to apply for a Paycheck Protection Loan.  

The Paycheck Protection Program provides a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan of up to 10 million dollars per business for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, and/or utility costs at an interest rate of only 1%.

The program is available through June 30, 2020 on a first come first served basis. PPP loans are for businesses with 500 employees or less. Businesses can receive up to $10,000 as a forgivable loan if used for payroll only. You must apply through an SBA lender. If you wish to begin preparing your application, you can download a copy of the PPP borrower application form to see the information that will be requested from you when you apply with a lender.

The loan will be fully forgiven if the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll). Loan payments will also be deferred for six months. No collateral or personal guarantees are required. Neither the government nor lenders will charge small businesses any fees.

Forgiveness is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels.  Forgiveness will be reduced if full-time headcount declines, or if salaries and wages decrease.

This loan has a maturity of 2 years and an interest rate of 1%.

The first payment on PPP loan is due in 6 months. No collateral or personal guarantees are required. One loan per business. All employees must live in the US. The loan can be used to cover eight weeks of payroll and cash tips up to $100k. Business can rehire workers that have been laid off in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more.

Ulster County SBA approved lenders:

  • Bank of America
  • Bank of Greene County
  • Catskill Hudson Bancorp
  • Community Bank N.A., Boiceville
  • Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union
  • KeyBank
  • M&T Bank
  • Rhinebeck Savings Bank
  • Rondout Savings Bank
  • Salisbury Bank
  • Sawyer Savings Bank
  • TD Bank
  • Trustco Bank
  • Ulster Savings Bank
  • Sawyer Savings Bank
  • Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union

 

Click HERE to learn about the SBA Express Bridge Loan Program. 

The SBA Express Bridge Loan Program enables small businesses who currently have a business relationship with an SBA Express Lender to access up to $25,000 quickly. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing and can be used to bridge the gap while applying for a direct SBA Economic Injury Disaster (EIDL) loan. SBA Express Bridge loans will be repaid in full or in part by proceeds from the EIDL loan. Learn more. 

Click here to learn if your bank is a SBA lender.

Click here to download the SBA Program Guide.

 

Click HERE to learn about SBA Debt Relief. 

The SBA is providing a financial reprieve to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The SBA will automatically pay the principal, interest, and fees of current 7(a), 504, and microloans for a period of six months. The SBA will also automatically pay the principal, interest, and fees of new 7(a), 504, and microloans issued prior to September 27, 2020. Learn more.

 

 

View presentations from the U.S. Small Business Administration
and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

U.S Small Business Administration COVID-19 Disaster Assistance Program Presentation
Provides an overview of the U.S. Small Business Administration and CARE Act financial assistance programs for individuals and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

U.S. Chamber of Commerce CARES Act—Major Provisions, Implementation & Resources
Provides an overview of the major provisions of the CARE Act for individuals and businesses.

COVID-19 Information for Ag-related businesses and food retailers 

How the CARES Act helps workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

The federal CARES Act was signed into law March 27, 2020. The Act provides enhanced Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) for New Yorkers.

The CARES Act provides additional Unemployment Insurance (“UI”) assistance to workers impacted by COVID-19. This new law provides: 

  • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance – Extended eligibility for individuals who have traditionally been ineligible for UI benefits (e.g., self-employed workers, independent contractors)
  • Pandemic Unemployment Compensation – An additional $600 per week, on top of regular benefits, to all UI recipients
  • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation – An additional 13 weeks of UI benefits, beyond the regular 26 weeks already provided, for a total of 39 weeks of coverage.

 

How to apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI) and

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Assistance (PUA)

 

The first step is to apply for Unemployment Insurance (UI). Note, you cannot apply for PUA until you have been determined ineligible for UI benefits. Here is a simple overview of how the application process works.

 

The day you should apply for Unemployment Insurance benefits is based on your last name.

A – F: Apply on Monday
G – N: Apply on Tuesday
O – Z: Apply on Wednesday

Missed your day? File on Thurs–Fri–Sat

 

Click HERE to apply for unemployment insurance 

Call 1-888–209–8124

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other helpful links: