We’re here to help guide your business through the SBA loan process and answer other questions you may have for your business as you navigate COVID-19. Just let us know a little bit about your business needs and how to contact you, and we’ll be in touch within 48 hours.

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BCL Loan Customers

BCL is prepared to provide loan deferments to our small business loan customers during this critical health and economic period. Please complete the economic injury form here and email it to Raquel Valdez Sanchez at rvaldez@bcloftexas.org

Austin Area Programs

Here are some of the programs that are available for small businesses through cities and companies. Resources are constantly being updated, so check with your city’s Economic Development department to see what local programs they are offering.

1. Wilco Forward: With the Wilco Forward program, small businesses with fewer than 100 employees and sole proprietors can receive up to $30,000. Learn more here.

2. City of Leander: On April 8th, the Leander City Council approved a COVID-19 Emergency Business Grant program to provide working capital for personnel costs, rent, utilities and critical business equipment or supplies for existing small businesses within the city of Leander, Texas, that are experiencing a loss of business due to the COVID-19 crisis. Qualified applicants will be eligible for economic development grants in the amount of $2,500 and $5,000, for businesses who can demonstrate direct negative impacts on their business related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more here.

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Dallas Area Programs

1. Business Resiliency Microloan Program for Fort Worth businesses: These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll or accounts payable, or cover other bills that can’t be paid due to the pandemic. All small businesses and nonprofits with 500 employees or less or eligible, as are independent contractors and sole proprietors. While maximum loan amounts may reach $50,000, at least half of these loans will be $15,000 or less, and at least 60% of loan proceeds will be allocated to minority-owned businesses and those with low to moderate income. Learn more here.

2. Protect the Fort Grant Program: Protect the Fort, a combined effort by the City of Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce and Visit Fort Worth, is launching a Small Business Grant Program with the support of Facebook. Eligible small businesses in Fort Worth will qualify to receive up to $5,000 for rent, mortgage, inventory, working capital, payroll, IT or innovation, and/or marketing efforts. Applications open May 13, and businesses can apply online at ProtectTheFort.com

3. The Artist Relief Fund is a local collaboration between the United Way, Hear Fort Worth, and Film Fort Worth to help support musicians, visual artists and filmmakers who have lost work due to COVID-19. The fund is open to Fort Worth musicians, filmmakers and visual artists. Qualified applicants will be eligible for a one-time grant of $300. See info here.

4. The New Normal: An Artist’s Response to COVID-19 initiative will grant 60+ Fort Worth visual artists with grants of $2,000 or $5,000 to create works that reflect their experience living through the COVID-19 pandemic here in Fort Worth. A panel will selected winners on the strength of their proposal, portfolio, and demonstrated financial need. See info here.

5. The Fort Worth Food & Wine Foundation Restaurant Employee Relief Fund allows employees to apply individually, or employers can apply on behalf of all of their employees. Learn more here.

6. Get Shift Done is a North Texas initiative to employ affected hourly workers in the hospitality industry to perform paid shifts for nonprofit organizations and institutions in need during the COVID-19 crisis. It’s part of the Get Shift Done for North Texas Fund, which was created at Communities Foundation of Texas. Learn more here.

7. The City of Anna Community Development Corporation Board has designated funding to assist local small-businesses suffering from financial impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants up to $5,000 will be dispersed amongst qualified applicants in early June. Completed application and a current Form W-9 are due via e-mail to by 5:00 PM on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. Info and application here.

8. Denton County has launched the OPEN (Operational Plan for Economic Normalization) Grant with $2.2 million available through grants for businesses physically operating within Denton County. The goal of this program is to help the businesses that have been closed the longest and negatively impacted by COVID-19. Learn more here.

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State and Nationwide Programs

1. Hello Alice COVID-19 Business for All Emergency Grant: Hello Alice is offering $10,000 grants being distributed immediately to small business owners impacted by Coronavirus. In addition to funding, grant recipients will receive ongoing support from the Hello Alice community. To apply, click here.

2. Verizon Small Business Recovery Fund: Applications for round 2 are now closed. The next round will open on May 14th. Verizon is launching a small business recovery fund with grants up to $10,000 for businesses facing immediate financial pressure—especially entrepreneurs of color, women-owned businesses and other enterprises in historically underserved communities. You can learn more here.

3. Facebook Small Business Grant Program: Facebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries where we operate. The program for Austin and DFW businesses is currently open. You can learn more and apply here.

4. Red Backpack Fund: The current round of applications will be open through May 11 at 12 p.m. ET. The portal will open for applications again on June 1, July 6, and August 3.The Spanx by Sara Blakely Foundation has donated $5 million to support female entrepreneurs in the wake of COVID-19 and teamed up with GlobalGiving to establish The Red Backpack Fund. GlobalGiving will be overseeing the fund, making 1,000 grants of $5,000 each to female entrepreneurs in the U.S. to help alleviate the immediate needs and support the long-term recovery of those impacted by this crisis. The next round of funding opens on May 4.

5. AssistHer: This grant is open to established woman-owned businesses in Texas that are suffering an economic hardship because of COVID-19. The owner must identify as female, be 18 or older, live in Texas and be a U.S. citizen. Grant amounts are $10,000. Learn more here.

6. Save Small Business Fund: Applications for this program are currently closed. You can learn more here.

7. The Actors Fund is providing assistance to all kinds of performing artists and entertainment industry workers, both union and non-union, to help cover basic living expenses for up to two months by compiling multiple entertainment industry organizations funds. You may be eligible for more than one fund. Info here.

8. Assistance Information and Resources For Music Industry Professionals Affected by COVID-19 For all the musicians across Texas whose income source has been affected by covid, here is a great compilation of relief resources available across the state. Info here.

9. The Bartender Emergency Assistance Fund is offering emergency assistance to bartenders through the United States Bartender Guild. See more here.

10. The Enterprising Women of Color program is a part of MBDA’s focus to promote the growth and global competitiveness of minority business enterprises. The agency program will promote women of color entrepreneurs as engines of economic growth in their communities. MBDA is seeking proposals to fund three Enterprising Women of Color business centers in any U.S. State or U.S. Territory. The MBDA Business Center: Enterprising Women of Color offices will focus on supporting minority women entrepreneurs to build their businesses, secure contracts and capital, and increase employment opportunities. Learn more and apply here.

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Avoid Scams

It’s always important to verify links and make sure you are giving your information to the right people. The SBA will not request sensitive information over the phone or email. Information is instead transmitted through their secure online application or in the case of the PPP, directly to your lender, who should be someone you verify and trust.

If you receive any calls, emails, or other communications claiming to be from the Treasury Department or the SBA offering you grants or stimulus payments in exchange for personal financial information, do not respond and absolutely do not provide any private information such as social security numbers, credit card details, or banking information.

Check to make sure the link you are using for your loan application is an official one. Any SBA or government website will end in “.gov”. See more info on avoiding scams here.

Economic Injury Loan Program

Note from the SBA: With the additional funding provided by the new COVID-19 relief package, SBA will resume processing EIDL Loan and Advance applications that are already in the queue on a first come, first-served basis.The SBA will provide further information on the availability of the EIDL portal to receive new applications (including those from agricultural enterprises) as soon as possible.

The Economic Injury Disaster Loan program now offers an advance of $1,000 per employee (up to $10,000 maximum) that can be delivered at an expedited pace. Total loan amounts are being capped to allow the SBA to provide funds to a greater number of businesses, with the new maximum amount estimated to be around $25,000 to $30,000 total. Information is being updated quickly, so please check news sources and the SBA website for the most up-to-date info.

The Small Business Administration is offering low-interest, long-term Economic Injury Disaster Loans, with the first payment deferred for 12 months. The application can be completed 100% online at this link.

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Paycheck Protection Program

The Paycheck Protection Program is now available for many types of 1099 contract and self-employed workers to replace the owner’s normal compensation. As of April 16th, most of the Paycheck Protection Program funds have already been allocated. If you want to apply for PPP, it is best to do so as soon as possible.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act offers forgivable loans to help small businesses keep workers employed. Portion of the loan may be forgivable if the same total number of employees are kept on payroll and 75% or more of the loan is used for payroll costs. This loan program is available through individual banks. You can see more information here.

PPP Application Information & Tips:

1. Start with your own bank that you already use for your business or personal finances.
2. Try working with a smaller, local bank.
3. Make sure your application is complete and not missing any required information.
4. Be organized and have all of your documentation available and ready to go so you can complete your application on the first try.
5. Review these PPP frequently asked questions from the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders.
6. Read more tips and success stories here.

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Other Relief Options Under the CARES Act

1. Employee Retention Tax Credit: An employer can receive a $5,000 tax credit per employee if their company has seen a 50 percent reduction in gross receipts in a quarter or has experienced at least a partial suspension of business due to a government order. This is fully refundable and is issued almost immediately. Available under December 31, 2020. Employers are eligible if they did not receive a PPP loan and can tie their business suspension to a government order.

2. Payroll Tax Deferral Program: Employers can defer the 6.2 percent employer portion of social security through end of 2020, making it essentially an interest-free loan. Any company who has not received a forgiveness date for a PPP loan is eligible. The social security payments can be deferred from March 27 through the end of 2020. Half of the payments deferred have to be paid back by the end of 2021 and the other half by the end of 2022.

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Existing SBA 504 and 7(a) Loans

The SBA has made existing SBA 504 and 7(a) loans eligible for a 6-month payment deferment. To request a deferment, call your lender directly. BCL of Texas has automatically deferred our SBA 504 loans for all of our current customers with this loan type.

Personal Financial Coaching

If you’re ready to visit with an expert about your financial concerns and plan proactively for the next few months, we’re offering no-cost sessions with our HUD-certified financial coaches.

Whether you’re in a financial hardship now or looking to prevent one, our coaches are offering virtual and over-the-phone coaching sessions to help you create your financial plan and connect you to resources. To sign up, create your profile in our online system. All sessions will be done via teleconferencing or phone.

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Fort Worth Rent Relief

The City of Fort Worth Community Action Partners program is accepting mail-in PDF applications or online applications for electric, gas or propane utility bill assistance or rental assistance. Download an application pdf online or call 817-392-5720.

Approved participants will be eligible for four payments (consecutive months). Application and more information here.

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Catholic Charities in Dallas

Catholic Charities of Dallas is offering a variety of relief programs, including direct financial assistance for those affected by COVID-19. View their application and eligibility information here.

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Dallas Office of Community Care

The Dallas Office of Community Care provides rental assistance, utility bill assistance, andmore. To schedule an appointment, call the appointment line at 214-670-8416. The appointment line is open every Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Please have your account information available when calling. For questions, contact 214-670-8442.

Financial services are based on availability of funds. You must schedule an appointment with a caseworker to be seen. No walk-ins are allowed. Learn more here.

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RISE Funding

Do you need help paying your rent/mortgage or with paying your utilities? The City of Austin has established the RISE Fund to provide IMMEDIATE services to our most vulnerable families in this time of great need. Please call one of these organizations if you’re in need of financial assistance. They are available to help right now. [More info and other participating organizations can be found here. ](The Austin RISE emergency relief program program is now available through 10 organizations, including Austin Area Urban League, El Buen Samaritano, Austin Goodwill, and more. Info below.

http://www.austintexas.gov/article/covid-19-relief-state-emergency-rise-fund?fbclid=IwAR3CytaxkzddsS_AXkD8k39g_qtND5anHPuYTYlFNL2aYfRUJ1lIHL9d504)

Austin Area Urban League: English - 512-838-3442 Spanish - 512-900- 1598

El Buen Samaritano: 512-439-8902 (bilingual)

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Stimulus Payments*

The CARES act provides a stimulus payment of $1,200 for adults who earn less than $75,000/year ($150,000/year for couples) plus $500 per dependent child age 16 or younger. Note: Everyone in the household must have a social security number to qualify.

The IRS has begun distributing those payments by direct deposit.

• If you already filed your 2018 or 2019 tax return and haven’t gotten your stimulus check yet, use the IRS online tool here to check the status or update your banking info.
• If you haven’t yet filed your 2018 or 2019 tax return, the fastest way to get your stimulus payment is to file your taxes ASAP. Families earning under $66,000 per year may qualify for free help filing from volunteer IRS-certified tax preparers through Foundation Communities.
• If you don’t have a requirement to file your taxes, the IRS just launched this online tool for getting your stimulus check. If you receive SSDI or SSI, the IRS has said that they will automatically deposit your stimulus payment.

*Thank you Foundation Communities for compiling this information.

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Unemployment Insurance

The stimulus package has expanded unemployment benefits to now include self-employed, part-time, contract, and gig workers. It also supplements state benefits with an additional $600 a week, which more than doubles the weekly maximum unemployment benefits in most states. The application website is currently processing an unprecedented number of applications and is often busy, so we recommend continuing to try at different times of day until you are able to get through.

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Student Loan Payments

the US government is automatically suspending payments and waiving interest on federal student loans for six months, providing immediate relief for more than 20 million people currently paying off their debt. Learn more here.

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Avoiding Scams

It’s always important to verify links and make sure you are giving your information to the right people. The IRS will not request sensitive information over the phone or email. If you receive calls or emails claiming to be from the Treasury Department or the SBA offering you grants or stimulus payments in exchange for personal financial information, do not respond and do not provide any private information, such as social security numbers, credit card details, or banking information.

See the IRS website here for more information about avoiding scams.