Current Assistance Available to Small Businesses & Workers

STATE BUSINESS RESPONSE UNIT

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is launching the COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit, which will be dedicated to helping businesses in Connecticut navigate the resources available to them during this crisis. Small businesses seeking guidance can reach this unit by calling 860-500-2333.

In addition, DECD and Advance CT, a nonprofit organization that works to advance economic competitiveness in Connecticut, today began distributing a comprehensive survey to businesses to get information on what types of resources they need throughout the duration of this pandemic. This will help the state gather important information on the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses interested in participating in this survey can access it here.

ASSISTANCE FOR WORKERS

The Department of Labor is also suspending the requirement that workers applying for new unemployment benefits directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic be actively searching for work.

The CT Department of Labor now has important information on unemployment benefits and frequently asked questions related to COVID-19 on their website at www.ctdol.state.ct.us/DOLCOVIDFAQ.PDF.

More help available on filing for unemployment benefits here: filectui.com.

DISASTER LOANS

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved CT’s request asking the federal agency to issue a declaration that will enable Connecticut’s small business owners to receive economic injury disaster loans. Small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Connecticut that have been negatively impacted by the global COVID-19 outbreak are now eligible for disaster relief loans of up to $2 million from the SBA.

Small businesses can learn more about the program and apply for financial assistance at www.sba.gov/disaster or call the SBA at 1-800-659-2955.

Small businesses with questions about this SBA loan program or other assistance provided at the state-level can call 860-500-2333 to speak directly with a Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) representative.

TAX FILING DEADLINES

The federal government is giving taxpayers a three-month reprieve to pay the income taxes they owe for 2019. Filers will get another 90 days to pay income taxes due on up to $1 million in tax owed. The reprieve on that amount will also cover pass-through entities and small businesses.

The CT Department of Revenue Services has extended filing deadlines for certain annual state business tax returns. More on that here: https://portal.ct.gov/DRS/News—Press-Releases/2020/2020-Press-Releases/Effective-Immediately-DRS-Extends-Filing-Deadline-for-Certain-Annual-State-Business-Tax-Returns

For the most up to date information on Connecticut’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and resources visit ct.gov/coronavirus.