LOAN PROGRAM ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

If you are a small business owner who is suffering financial losses due to the impact of COVID-19 you can now file for low-interest working capital loans of up to $2 million from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

The SBA approved a certification request submitted by Gov. David Ige, clearing the way for Hawai‘i small businesses to participate in the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Assistance Program. The loans can be used to pay fixed debts, payroll and other bills that can’t be paid because of a disaster’s impact.

Interest rates are 3.75 percent for small businesses without credit available elsewhere. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75 percent. Terms are determined on a case by case basis, based upon borrower’s ability to repay.

Loan applicants are required to file the following documents:

• Loan application (SBA Form 5), completed and signed.
• Tax Information Authorization (IRS Form 4506-T), completed and signed by each applicant, each principal owning 20 percent or more of the applicant business, each general partner or managing member; and, for any owner who has more than 50 percent ownership in an affiliate business. Affiliates include, but are not limited to, business parents, subsidiaries, and/or other businesses with common ownership or management;
• Complete copies, including all schedules, of the most recently filed Federal income tax returns for the applicant business; an explanation if not available.
• Personal Financial Statement (SBA Form 413) completed, signed, and dated by the applicant, each principal owning 20 percent or more of the applicant business, and each general partner or managing member.
• Schedule of Liabilities listing all fixed debts (SBA Form 2202 may be used) are required to file three SBA forms and one IRS form.

For more information including the forms and how to submit an application, please go to the SBA Disaster Assistance Portal.

Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

According to an analysis by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism there are 8,302 businesses in Hawai‘i with 99 or fewer employees. Those businesses account for 96,189 jobs with a combined annual payroll of $3.16 billion.

The SBA uses a “table of size standards” to define what qualifies as a small business based on the business’s number of employees and average annual receipts.

For the latest information please keep checking this website, or subscribe to the BDSD email list.