Small businesses are facing unique challenges during this unprecedented time. We recognize you might have specific questions related to your business operations. So to respond, we have prepared this section of our Coronavirus Preparedness Resource Center for Small Business, which may serve as a single point of contact for information, updates, and the latest on the legislative front. Here we have aggregated a number of relevant links, articles, and other published material covering a wide range of legal issues to help you proactively position your business for success during this time of significant uncertainty.

COVID-19 Relief Aid/Assistance for Small Businesses

• FAQs Issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury
• PPP Loan Forgiveness Application & Instructions

• New York City – programs for small business, healthcare, nonprofits
• New York State – Currently, the State is still assessing options to mitigate hardships to NYS businesses. For more information, visit the Empire State Development website.

Crucial Areas of Focus for Small Businesses

• Checklist for Developing An Effective Pandemic Response Plan (OSHA requires Pandemic Response Plan)
• Implement Pandemic Response Plan

• What does and does not excuse the performance of a contract?
• How do I prepare for negotiations with people I owe money to and for people who owe me money.
• Defenses for Breach of Contract Claims (note: Pennsylvania specific detail)

• Enforcement Response Plan for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• 29 U.S.C. § 660(c) – Penalties for Retaliation for Complaints About Perceived Occupational Safety Hazards

• Does my commercial general liability policy cover this business interruption?
• Does my property damage policy cover this?
• Get a comprehensive review of your business insurance policy to evaluate claims for business interruption.

• What happens if my business is using excess time/capacity to donate services or goods? Is there a tax benefit?
• How do Federal Emergency Bills impact my business?

• How does the new federal law on paid leave for coronavirus affect my business?
• What changes do I need to make to employee benefits during this time?
• Are there any changes to my unemployment insurance?
• Norris McLaughlin Webinar – Families First Coronavirus Response Act (recording)

• USCIS Guidance on Temporary Modifications to Employment Verification Process
• Tracing the Immigration of Coronavirus
• Are Immigrant Workers Covered Under the FFCRA or CARES Act?

• What Options Do I Have to Respond to my Creditors?
• Temporary Changes to the Bankruptcy Code Under the CARES Act
• Small Business Reorganization Act: The Vaccine for Small Businesses Suffering From the COVID-19 Pandemic