COVID-19 ASSISTANCE FOR POSTS
COVID-19 HAS CAUSED ALL POSTS TO SHUT DOWN. WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A DIFFICULT TIME BUT WE HAVE TO ADHERE TO THE GOVERNOR'S ORDERS AND COMMANDER MCELRATH'S DIRECTIVES.
Here is a list of resources available to your Post to keep it afloat during the shut down and reopening process (when that time comes). Updated frequently.
Small Business Administration
Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program - For restaurants, bars and nonprofits. Includes Posts with or without canteens. Posts can get a 30-year low interest loan to keep their doors open and recoup losses from the COVID-19 shut down. Businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million. Interest rate of 2.75 percent spread out over 30 years. https://www.sba.gov/page/coronavirus-covid-19-small-business-guidance-loan-resources
Factsheet for businesses: Download here
Powerpoint overview: SBA Loans
Webinar explaining details of the SBA program from Dayton Chamber of Commerce: Watch here.
The Federal Reserve cut interest rates to zero on 3/15/2020 in response to COVID-19. This move is in an effort to encourage support of businesses who will suffer financial injury during quarantine times. Find details here.
Access Entrepreneurship and Business Assistance Centers - Resources for starting or maintaining a small business in Ohio: https://development.ohio.gov/bs/bs_entrepreneurship.htm
Liquor buyback - The Ohio Department of Commerce will immediately begin offering a liquor buyback option to support bars and restaurants. This is intended to aid those establishments that have stocked up on high proof liquor, but now are facing closure to in-house patrons. Bars and restaurants can return unopened, high proof liquor products (obtained within the past 30 days) to the agency where they purchased the product. This opportunity is also extended to those with temporary (F2) permits for events scheduled between March 12 and April 6, 2020. Questions about this program should be directed to the Liquor Enterprise Service Center at 1-877-812-0013 or OhioLiquorInfo@Com.Ohio.gov.
Columbus Foundation’s Emergency Response Program - The Columbus Foundation’s Emergency Response Program has been activated to help Franklin County nonprofit organizations that are responding to the spread of COVID-19 and experiencing financial challenges by doing so. Please follow the links below to learn about eligibility guidelines and to apply for help as a Franklin County nonprofit organization. https://columbusfoundation.org/emergency-assistance-program-emergency-response-fund
Bartender Emergency Relief Fund - To assist bartenders out of work due to COVID-19. https://www.usbgfoundation.org/beap
Restaurant Workers Community Foundation - Crisis Relief Fund to assist restaurants/bars/kitchens with low interest loans and to assist restaurant or kitchen workers out of work due to COVID-19. https://bit.ly/2WJRvxU
Southern Smoke Foundation - Houston chef Chris Shepherd’s Southern Smoke Foundation is accepting applications for funds from restaurants/bars and restaurant employees. https://southernsmoke.org/fund/
One Fair Wage - The OFW has launched the OFW Emergency Fund. It will provide immediate cash assistance to restaurant employees, delivery workers, and other tipped workers in the food industry. https://ofwemergencyfund.org/
Unite Here Education and Support Fund - Unite Here, a labor union representing groups in the U.S. and Canada, has funds to help its 300,000 members with things like rent, groceries, health insurance, and lost wages. https://unitehere.org/
ROC Disaster Relief Fund - The nonprofit Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United has set a target of $500,000 for its emergency relief fund, which seeks to help documented and undocumented restaurant workers who lose their jobs during the pandemic. https://rocunited.org/relief/
KIVA - Provides funding opportunities for entrepreneurs where conventional lenders won’t. https://www.kiva.org/borrow
Dayton Power & Light Company - Will suspend disconnections for nonpayment until further notice or at least 30 days for nonpayment by business and residential customers. 800-433-8500.
Duke Energy -Has immediately suspended disconnections for non-payment. This applies to all home and business accounts in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana as well as other states.
Unemployment claims - Ohio’s Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) is instructing Ohio employers planning layoffs or shutdowns as a result the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to share the following mass lay-off number with their employees to speed the processing of unemployment benefits: 2000180.
United Way’s 211 hotline. Open 24/7. Or online at http://www.referweb.net/uwgc/
Grace Period for Health Insurance Premiums - All health insurers are required to provide the option of deferring premium payments, interest free, for up to 60 calendar days from each original premium due date. This means that employers can defer their premium payments up to two months, giving them some relief on costs, while keeping their employees insured. https://iop-odi-content.s3.amazonaws.com/static/Legal/Bulletins/Documents/2020-03.pdf
Ohio’s Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) - To help businesses facing difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ohio BWC is announcing the deferment of insurance premium installment payments for March, April and May until June 1, 2020. For more information, visit bwc.ohio.gov.
Banks across the state - Are taking steps to offer loan payment deferrals, fee waivers or refunds and extend credit lines to both businesses and individuals. Many banks are also suspending foreclosures where possible. Recent federal guidelines give financial institutions more tools to help Ohioans and the banking industry has welcomed these changes. Banks are also showing customers how to protect themselves from coronavirus-related scams and encouraging Ohioans to use digital banking features like mobile apps, online banking or banking by phone. If you need help, please reach out to your bank for assistance. Learn more at ohiobankersleague.com/customers
Resources for individuals and families
American Income Life - Will not charge premiums for members that have been laid for the next 3 months. Once they start back to work they will not have to repay the premiums.
Unemployment - Questions and answers regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the impact on unemployment benefits can be found here: http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/CoronavirusAndUI.stm
Pay benefits for reduced work hours - SharedWork Ohio allows workers to remain employed and employers to retain trained staff during times of reduced business activity. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services provides eligible individuals an unemployment insurance benefit proportionate to their reduced hours. To learn more: http://jfs.ohio.gov/ouio/SharedWorkOhio/
Food, cash and medical assistance - The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services provides food, cash and medical assistance to individuals and families in need. To review eligibility requirements and apply for assistance, please visit: https://benefits.ohio.gov/.
School meals - Decisions on how free breakfast and lunches are distributed to students is being made by each district. Contact your local district. You may find additional information here: http://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Student-Supports/Coronavirus
Keep Ohio Connected (internet service availability) - Learn what Internet Service providers are doing to keep Ohioans connected, including keeping service turned on during the pandemic and waiving late fees:
https://governor.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/governor/media/news-and-media/dewine-husted-praise-internet-providers-for-commitment-to-keep-americans-connected-pledge
Learn new tech skills - TechCred helps Ohioans learn new skills and helps employers build a stronger workforce with the skills needed in a tech-infused economy. Many of these trainings can be completed online. For more information: https://techcred.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/techcred/about
Existing DSA Programs - Access existing programs to find local non-profit resources available for those in need, to help maintain your small business, and reduce energy costs to your home.
https://development.ohio.gov/indvservices.htm
Find a Community Action Agency - Locally controlled private nonprofit organizations whose purpose is to reduce poverty and to help low-income people become self-sufficient: https://development.ohio.gov/cs/cs_caa.htm
Learn about Energy Assistance Programs - Learn how to manage your home energy costs: https://development.ohio.gov/is/is_energyassist.htm
Injured worker temporary telehealth policy - Learn how the BWC is initiating temporary policy changes that will allow flexibility in the provision of care to injured workers: https://www.bwc.ohio.gov/downloads/blankpdf/PolicyAlert-TempTeleHealthCOVID-19.pdf
Medicaid provisions for uninsured - Learn about how to qualify for Medicaid coverage: https://medicaid.ohio.gov/FOR-OHIOANS/Who-Qualifies
Maintaining Healthcare Coverage for Your Family - Health insurers must allow employers to continue covering employees, even if the employee would otherwise become ineligible because of a decrease in hours worked per week. We know employees may be working a significantly reduced schedule right now, through no fault of their own, and we want to make sure they continue to have access to their health insurance if it’s feasible for the employer at this time. https://iop-odi-content.s3.amazonaws.com/static/Legal/Bulletins/Documents/2020-03.pdf
Assistance for Lost Insurance Coverage - Those who do lose insurance coverage, are eligible for a special enrollment period to gain new coverage. Premium subsidies may be available for those who qualify by purchasing plans on the federal exchange.
https://iop-odi-content.s3.amazonaws.com/static/Legal/Bulletins/Documents/2020-03.pdf
In demand jobs during the pandemic - Find available jobs now: https://jobseeker.ohiomeansjobs.monster.com/Account/UCClaimantsOverview.aspx