COVID-19 Updates and Resources

Maricopa SBDC Is OPEN – Virtually

How we can support you:

Our offices are open – virtually. We are here to help, so don’t hesitate to call or email. We can meet with you via Zoom teleconference, phone or other virtual channel.

Request Counseling

As the COVID-19 situation evolves, we have moved all consulting meetings online or on phone for the foreseeable future.

In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, small business owners in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories are eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans with an optional advance ($1,000 per employee up to a $10,000 advance).

For questions on the status of your SBA EIDL or EIDL Advance application, please contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov

For the most up-to-date information on these programs, please visit www.sba.gov/disaster.

**Do not wait to get in touch with one of these lenders.

*If you received an email from CLS@sba.gov requesting information, it is legitimate.

If your identity was stolen and used to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), here are some important steps you should take.  Be sure to act quickly to prevent or reduce financial loss or damage.

Reporting Fraud:
  1. Notify the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  Their team will make a note to the file and place a hold on funds if they have not already been disbursed.  If funds have already been disbursed, they will refer the matter to SBA’s Office of Inspector General.
  2. Notify the SBA Office of Inspector General to report any suspected fraud on the OIG’s Hotline at 800-767-0385 or online at https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/oversight-advocacy/officeinspector-general/office-inspector-general-hotline.
  3. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports.  Contact all of the three major credit reporting agencies. Do not believe whichever company you contact is required to tell the other two.  Consider adding an extended fraud alert (valid for seven years) or a credit freeze to your credit bureau reports.
  4. Go to https://www.identitytheft.gov to file a report about your situation.  Once you’ve entered your information, the site will create an Identity Theft Report.  Print it or save it to your computer; you will need it later.
  5. File an identity theft report with your local police department.  You may want to use the report you prepared at IdentityTheft.gov.
  6. Contact the Social Security Administration as soon as possible, even if you’re not sure your number has been compromised at 1-800-269-0271 or submit a report online at https://oig.ssa.gov

Further recommendations to recover from fraud:

  1. Notify any other companies where you know fraud occurred. Explain your situation and ask them to close your account.  Request a letter confirming that the fraudulent activity isn’t yours, that you are not liable for it, and that it was removed from your credit report. And save those letters.
  2. Obtain and review copies of your credit reports immediately. Look for accounts, inquiries and addresses you don’t recognize.
  3. If you spot items on your credit report that you don’t recognize, contact the credit bureau involved.

(If more than one, you will need to contact each individually.) Include a copy of your Identity Theft Report and proof of your identity.  Explain which information on your report is fraudulent, and ask that they block that information, which will keep it from showing up on your credit report.

  1. If you get a collection letter for a debt that you don’t owe, write the debt collector within 30 days of getting the letter.  Tell them your identity was stolen and you don’t owe the debt.  They may request a copy of your Identity Theft Report and other documents about the theft.
  2. Review your bills and credit reports regularly to identify any new fraudulent charges.

 

Please stay well and compassionate.

Our Team is concerned about your business and want to help!

Resources available — CONTINUALLY UPDATED

As we continue to monitor the fluid and rapidly evolving COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation, the health and safety of our employees, partners, clients, and people in the communities where we operate remains our top priority.Currently, it remains a fluid situation and will continue to keep our website updated with the latest developments.

ASBDC/ACA/SBA/SBDC RESOURCES:

SBA Disaster Loans:

SBA Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program Guide:

SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

For more information and updates, visit SBA.gov/PaycheckProtection or Treasury.gov/CARES

FORMS

The PPP Forgiveness Platform will go live and begin accepting Lender submissions on August 10, 2020, subject to extension if any new legislative amendments to the forgiveness process necessitate changes to the system.

For more information and updates, visit SBA.gov/PaycheckProtection or Treasury.gov/CARES

SBA Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources:

Maricopa Small Business Development Center (SBDC):

America’s SBDC Coronavirus Information for Small Businesses:

Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA):

FEDERAL RESOURCES:

FMLA Updates:

IRS:

Department of Labor:

U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship

OTHER RESOURCES:

(click here for .pdf of Community Resources)

Annuity.org:

Arizona Commission on the Arts (Emergency Relief Grants for Arizona Artists and Arts Professionals):

Arizona Employment Opportunities:

Arizona@Work is maintaining a database of employers who are looking to hire immediately.

Additional Employment Resources:

AHCCCS Health Insurance (Medical Assistance)

  • Health plan enrollment information, call: 1-855-432-7587 or 1-855-HEAplus

AZ Housing Assistance

Arizona Housing Assistance, provides assistance with:

  • Project-Based Rental Assistance
  • Rent assistance and eviction prevention
    • Phoenix HD – call (602) 262-6794 and Maricopa County HA – call (602) 744-4500
  • Emergency home repairs

AZ Together.org

  • ArizonaTogether.org, serves as the centralized location for Arizonans to find help or provide support during the COVID-19 outbreak.

CDC:

City of Mesa:

City of Peoria:

Chicanos por la Causa — Resources and Information:

Click on any link to get help with:

DES:

Help with your case or general questions:
Chat or email: Available from our Health-e-Arizona Plus website where you may also submit your application.

  • Phone: 1-855-432-7587 or 1-855-HEAplus
  • Office Locations: find the nearest office with the DES Office Locator
  • The Statewide Interview Line: 1-855-777-8590 (all area codes)
    Electronic Benefits Card (EBT)
  • Report lost or stolen EBT cards, check your EBT card balance, and more. Call FIS Customer Service at 1-888-997-9333 (TTY 1-800-367-8939)

Export and Trade Assistance:

Facebook:

Families First:

Food Assistance:

GRANTS:

Local First Arizona:

The Governor’s Office is partnering with Local First Arizona Foundation to launch the Arizona Small Business Rent and Mortgage Relief Grant program and distribute $10 million in grants to small businesses who have had to shutter their doors during this pandemic. The partnership leverages the grant-making experience and small business expertise of Local First Arizona Foundation, which has already distributed over $2 million in grant funds to small businesses across the state of Arizona, and will support their work of putting small businesses on a path for recovery.  The Arizona Rent and Mortgage Relief Grant program will begin accepting applications on Aug. 20, 2020, at 10 A.M

Maricopa Community Colleges Community Resources:

Office Keepers (AZSBDC Success Award Winner):

OSHA:

Scottsdale Industrial Development Authority:

211.org:

211 is a vital service that connects millions of people to help every year:

United Way:

US Chamber of Commerce: