Paycheck Protection Program: 8 Things You Need To Know.

What is The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)?

The PPP is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll. It provides small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities.

1. Funds are provided in the form of loans that will be fully forgiven when used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities (due to likely high subscription, at least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll).
2. Loan payments will be deferred for six months.
3. No collateral or personal guarantees are required.
4. Payroll costs are capped at $100,000 on an annualized basis for each employee.
5. Neither the government nor lenders will charge small businesses any fees.
6. Forgiveness is based on the employer maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels.
7. Forgiveness will be reduced if full-time headcount declines, or if salaries and wages decrease.
8. Funding is open until June 30, 2020 – but, you should apply as quickly as you can because there is a funding cap and lenders need time to process your loan.

Who can apply for PPP?

Small businesses with 500 or fewer employees—including nonprofits, veterans organizations, tribal concerns, self-employed individuals, sole proprietorships, and independent contractors— are eligible to apply for PPP. Businesses with more than 500 employees are eligible in certain industries.

When can you apply?

Small businesses and sole proprietorships started applying on April 3, 2020. They applied through SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Starting April 10, 2020, independent contractors and self-employed individuals can apply.

You can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or through any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, and Farm Credit System institution that is participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. You should consult with your local lender as to whether it is participating in the program.

Follow this link to find out additional information on applying for the Paycheck Protection Program.