Emergency Business Resources
Below are resources to help you as you reopen your business, and to manage and mitigate disruptions caused by the COVID-19 crisis. These resources are frequently updated as information becomes available. For assistance navigating business recovery resources, contact Linda DiMario, Executive Vice President, Greater Irvine Chamber. We encourage you to connect by email with our staff as we work to provide you with short- and long-term business solution
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ReOpen OC Safely was developed by the Greater Irvine Chamber in collaboration with Orange County Business Council, North Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, and Visit Anaheim as a resource to prepare to safely reopen for business as the county continues to respond to the COVID-19 crisis. The State of California has issued stay-at-home orders to combat the spread of Coronavirus but is slowly reopening business segments, subject to restrictions and modified operations. Click here to learn more.
Roadmap for Phase 2 Business Openings - lower-risk workplaces in California that will gradually reopen include retail (curbside only), manufacturing, and logistics.
Back to Business Checklist - Fisher Phillips
Return to the Workplace Guide - Irvine Company
Roadmap to (re)activate Office Space - Jones Land LaSalle
Recovery Readiness Resources - Cushman & Wakefield
Reopen your Building Safely - Water that sits for a few weeks becomes stagnant. Irvine Ranch Water District provides steps for refreshing the water before you open your business.
Presentation on assistance programs - Offered by the Employment Development Department to workers during to COVID-19.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program - The California Labor & Workforce Development Agency’s newly available emergency unemployment assistance program under the federal CARES Act provides assistance for unemployed or partially unemployed individuals who are not eligible for regular unemployment insurance and who are unable or unavailable to work due to COVID-19 related circumstances.
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Orange County Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act - Orange County residents whose employment recently ended as a result of COVID-19 are eligible to receive up to $800.00 reimbursement for essentials such as housing, utilities, childcare, and transportation costs. Dislocated workers can enroll through the Orange County One-Stop Centers located in Irvine and Garden Grove. Or call the Economic and Business Recovery Call Center at (714) 480-6500.
Extension for Toll Payments & Other Adjustments - In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic impacts, The Toll Roads have made temporary adjustments to business processes to accommodate drivers and FasTrak® accountholders.
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Key Financial Deadlines for 2020 - IRS extended deadline for filing 2019 federal tax returns for individuals is July 15. Here are some important dates that you may want to add to your 2020 reminders.
California Great Plates Delivered - Program provides economic stimulus to local restaurants & food providers for delivering meals to seniors and other adults at high risk from COVID-19. Irvine restaurants interested in participating may submit an online application to participate in the program.
Free Digitalization & Ecommerce Roadmap - Get help with planning your company’s digital roadmap: create a successful digital strategy, define concrete steps to launch, and manage schedule and budget expectations.
Print & Marketing Services - Staples products to help small businesses prepare to reopen.
Export Documents - The Greater Irvine Chamber offers digital processing of export documentation for Certificates of Origin and Certificates of Free Sale through a convenient digital export documentation system, which applies legally admissible digital signatures that are fully compliant with the ESIGN Act, UET Act, SOX, and many more national regulations. Processing fees will be waived for the first Certificate of Origin uploaded (one per company) to the Fast Track Global Services portal through May 31. For more information and pricing details, contact Pepper Russell.
LIVE WEBINARS:
Webinar Series: Restaurant Rapid Recovery
June 2 | June 9 | June 16 | 10:00 AM
Foodservice industry operations and brands must adapt to conform with the new post-COVID-19 era and gain customer trust. Free webinars will be based on the previous week’s discussion. 20 minutes: Presentation of topics in response to COVID-19 relevant to restaurateurs. 40 minutes: Questions and concerns, answered by SBDC food-industry experts and invited panelists.
WEBINARS ON DEMAND:
Workplace Continuity: Preparing for Reentry and Reimagining the Workplace
Presented by CalChamber:
Tips for Reopening Your Workplace
COVID-19 Workers’ Comp Order Explained
REENTRY STRATEGIES:
Five components of a successful re-entry strategy for the “new normal” of tomorrow, help keep the health & safety of your workforce top of mind:
Business Disruption Mitigation Resources On this Page:
BUSINESS RESOURCES
Federal Financial Resources
Congress has approved another round of funding for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Payroll Protection Program (PPP). If you applied for an EIDL, a PPP, or both during the first round of funding, you need NOT apply again.
Check with SBA disastercustomerservice@sba.gov to check on the status of your EIDL application. Check with your bank about the status of your PPP application and make certain that you are still in the queue for consideration.
If you intend to apply for an EIDL and PPP loan during this next round, go to https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources to get started.
If you need additional help, contact ldimario@irvinechamber.com.
- U.S. Chamber Guide to PPP Loan Forgiveness
- Federal Reserve established a Main Street Lending Program to support lending to small and medium-sized businesses that were in good financial standing before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Check SBA.gov/Coronavirus for the most current and accurate information on the financial relief program.
- U.S. Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is specifically designed to help small businesses keep their workforce employed. The new loan program will be available retroactive from Feb. 15, 2020, so employers can rehire their recently laid-off employees through June 30, 2020.
- City of Irvine interactive map of financial resources, a guide to Irvine financial institutions that are accepting PPP loan applications for new customers. Map updated as information is available.
- U.S. Small Business Administration Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) for working capital to California small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19
Additional Resources
- Small Business Development Center Resource Guide
- Small Business Development Center Service Priority Handbook
- SoCalGas COVID-19 Support & Response
- SCE COVID-19 Support & Response
- Google Small Business Fund and other relief & recovery resources
- Google Ad Credits Small and Medium-sized Businesses
EMPLOYER RESOURCES
Workplace Health and Safety
For information on protecting workers from COVID-19, refer to the Cal/OSHA Guidance on Coronavirus.
Businesses and employers can visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for help with planning and responding to COVID-19.
Reduced Work Hours
Employers experiencing a slowdown in their businesses or services as a result of the coronavirus impact on the economy may apply for the UI Work Sharing Program. This program allows employers to seek an alternative to layoffs. Visit Work Sharing Program to learn more about its benefits for employers and employees, and how to apply.
Potential Closure or Layoffs
Employers planning a closure or major layoffs as a result of the coronavirus can get help through the Rapid Response program. For more information, refer to the Rapid Response Services for Businesses Fact Sheet (DE 87144RRB) (PDF) or contact your local America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM.
Tax Assistance
Employers experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19 may request up to a 60-day extension of time from the EDD to file their state payroll reports and/or deposit state payroll taxes without penalty or interest.
For questions, employers may call the EDD Taxpayer Assistance Center.
- Toll-free from the U.S. or Canada: 1-888-745-3886
- Hearing-impaired (TTY): 1-800-547-9565
- Outside the U.S. or Canada: 1-916-464-3502
Tax Filing Extension
The State Franchise Tax Board is offering tax relief for California taxpayers affected by the COVID-19. Visit the Tax Board's website to learn more about the extended tax filing deadline.
OFFICIAL CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION
- California Governor's Executive Order for Small Business Tax Relief
- California Coronavirus COVID-19 Response
- California Department of Industrial Relations COVID-19 FAQs
- Orange County COVID-19 Resource Directory
- Orange County Healthcare Agency COVID-19 Response
- County of Orange Public Services Suspensions due to COVID-19
- City of Irvine COVID-19 Response
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Summary on Congressional Action on Coronavirus Response
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce - COVID-19 Response
- Families First Coronavirus Response Act
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Coronavirus.gov
CORONAVIRUS TRACKERS
Conveniently track Coronavirus at these sites:
EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES
- Labor and Workforce Development Agency – Resources for employers and workers including workers’ compensation and paid sick leave.
- Labor Commissioner’s Office FAQs – Employee leave options, compensation, and salary.
- Department of Fair Employment and Housing – Job protection and employment discrimination.
WORKERS RESOURCES
Unemployed
OnwardCA.org is a resource for people who have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 crisis.
Sick or Quarantined
If you’re unable to work due to having or being exposed to COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Disability Insurance (DI) claim. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week.
The Governor’s Executive Order waives the one-week unpaid waiting period, so you can collect DI benefits for the first week you are out of work. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim. For guidance on the disease, visit the California Department of Public Health website.
Caregiving
If you’re unable to work because you are caring for an ill or quarantined family member with COVID-19 (certified by a medical professional), you can file a Paid Family Leave (PFL) claim. Benefit amounts are approximately 60-70 percent of wages (depending on income) and range from $50-$1,300 a week. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.
School Closures
If your child’s school is closed, and you have to miss work to be there for them, you may be eligible for Unemployment Insurance benefits. File an Unemployment Insurance claim and our EDD representatives will decide if you are eligible.
Reduced Work Hours
If your employer has reduced your hours or shut down operations due to COVID-19, you can file an Unemployment Insurance claim. Eligible individuals can receive benefits that range from $40-$450 per week.
The Governor’s Executive Order waives the one-week unpaid waiting period, so you can collect Unemployment Insurance benefits for the first week you are out of work. If you are eligible, the EDD processes and issues payments within a few weeks of receiving a claim.
Self-Employed
The available benefits are insurance programs. We encourage you to apply for the benefit program that is most appropriate for your situation. Visit Self-Employed/Independent Contractor to learn more.
Private Work Space
Still needing to conduct business, but COVID-19 has caused the closure of your local shared office space? Need a remote place to work away from distractions? Several Irvine hotels are extending a special day rate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide you with a quiet, private workspace that includes complimentary Wi-Fi and parking. Visit Destination Irvine's website for more information.
COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL TENANT RESOURCES
RESTAURANT RESOURCES
Restaurants are encouraged to provide takeout options to this website:
Local restaurants offering services:
Instagram Tools for Restaurants, Small Businesses:
- Businesses can share new gift cards, food orders, and fundraiser stickers in Stories and on their profiles.
TripAdvisor New Features for Restaurants:
- New features highlighting takeout, delivery options, and gift card purchasing.
- If you're offering takeout or delivery, add a notification to your listing here.
- If you're offering gift cards to customers, click here.
- If your restaurant is temporarily closed, Let customers know here.
- Tips on how to respond.
HOTEL & HOSPITALITY RESOURCES
California
- caltravel.org/covid19-industry-resources
- industry.visitcalifornia.com/marketing-communications/coronavirus
- calodging.com/coronavirus-information-resources
- Information for hotels interested in working with the government: go.calodging.com/
U.S. Travel
- ustravel.org/toolkit/emergency-preparedness-and-response-coronavirus-covid-19
- ustravel.org/toolkit/covid-19-cares-act-relief-resources
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