COVID-19 Resources
Resources for Employers
Small Business Owner’s
Guide to the CARES Act
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was just passed by Congress and is intended to assist business owners with whatever needs they have right now. When implemented, there will be many new resources available for small businesses, as well as certain non-profits and other employers. This guide provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address these needs, as well as some additional tax provisions that are outside the scope of SBA.
Struggling to get started? The following questions might help point you in the right direction. Do you need:
- Capital to cover the cost of retaining employees? The Paycheck Protection Program might be right for you.
- A quick infusion of a smaller amount of cash to cover you right now? Look into an Emergency Economic Injury Grant.
- To ease fears about keeping up with payments on current SBA loans? The Small Business Debt Relief Program could help.
- Just some quality, free counseling to help you navigate this uncertain economic time? The resource partners might be your best bet.
View the Guide to learn more.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans
Visit the SBA's EIDL website to learn more.
Paycheck Protection Program
The CARES Act allocated $350 billion to help small businesses keep workers employed amid the pandemic and economic downturn. Known as the Paycheck Protection Program, the initiative provides 100% federally guaranteed loans to small businesses who maintain their payroll during this emergency. Importantly, these loans may be forgiven if borrowers maintain their payrolls during the crisis or restore their payrolls afterward.
View the Guide & Checklist to learn more.
File for Unemployment Insurance
In these unprecedented times, Governor Beshear has expanded access for groups not normally eligible for Unemployment Insurance. These groups include, but are not limited to:
- barbers
- chefs
- childcare workers employed by non-profits
- contract laborers
- freelance workers
- hairdressers
- hotel housekeeping staff
- hotel workers
- independent contractors
- landscapers
- massage therapists
- nail technicians
- restaurant workers
- self-employed
- small business owners
- substitute teachers
View Kentucky's Unemployment Insurance website to learn more.
The Chamber is dedicated to helping ensure a positive business climate. As the coronavirus continues to spread and has reached the United States, it is important that we are prepared to handle the issue. Below are resources to help educate employers on the coronavirus:
- Call Kentucky's COVID-19 Hotline: 1-800-722-5725
- Visit the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services'Â Coronavirus resource page
- How to file for Unemployment Insurance
- View the CDC's webpage: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
- CDC guidelines on quarantine/isolation
- View the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Coronavirus resource page
- Sign up for CDC.gov email updates
- Visit the crisis management center on the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives website
- Webinar discussion from Dr. Nancy Messonnier, who leads the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
- Visit McBrayer's page: COVID-19 - Answers for your business
- Visit Frost Brown Todd's page: Coronavirus Guidance for Employers
- Visit Jackson Kelly's COVID-19 Legal Resource Page