A Breakdown of the SBA Paycheck Protection Program

Published in Member Communities on April 02, 2020

The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is the third phase of the government’s $2.2 trillion government’s relief package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It was created to help small businesses cope with the COVID-19 outbreak. The PPP sets aside nearly $350B to be used by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide government backed and potentially forgivable loans to businesses throughout the country. Businesses can begin applying for these loans on Friday, April 3, 2020 through their lending institution of choice. The loans will be available to businesses through June 30, or until the money is gone, whichever comes first.

This portion of the act was designed to help small businesses cover certain operating expenses and keep their employees on the payroll while their business is disrupted due to the pandemic. Some key features of the program include:

Available to small businesses, nonprofits, sole proprietorships, Tribal businesses, veterans’ organizations, and independent contractors, with 500 or fewer employees
Maximum loan is equal to 2.5 times the employer’s average monthly payroll
Capped at a max of $10M per business
Loans can be used to cover payroll (wages, salaries, retirement contributions, and health benefits including medical leave)
Loans can also be used to cover things like rent, utilities, and mortgage interest
No collateral or personal guarantee required
No fees/2-year maturity, and 0.5% interest rate
Loans are fully insured/backed by the federal government
Loans are forgivable if used properly

If you want to get started on your application, download the application form.

Click here for additional Q&A, and click here for a webinar recording that divers deeper into this program and its various features and benefits.