COVID-19 Resources

Here for You

During the coronavirus pandemic, you may have questions about available resources for your business and family, or about current guidance from federal, state, and local public health authorities. We want you to know that we're here to help you find the resources you need and we will get through this together.

Resources for businesses and individuals are compiled below, along with contact information for public health authorities and updates from Clayton County businesses.

Click to read the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Weekly Update from the US Travel Association.

Test Iowa

Governor Reynolds recently announced the Test Iowa initiative to expand testing so that we can stem the spread of the virus and get Iowans back to work as quickly and safely as possible. Iowa is only the second state to put in place such a widespread testing initiative. The assessment informs Iowans of their current health status, whether or not they should get a COVID-19 test and instructions on how to get tested.

View the COVID Recovery Iowa Newsletter

Resources

Business & Nonprofit Resources

Find sources of funding for businesses, nonprofit organizations, the self employed, and individuals.

Agriculture Support

Iowa State University - PPP updated fact sheet (January 2021)

New Loan Calculation for Self-Employed Farmers

The Economic Aid Act provides a new loan calculation for self-employed farmers based upon gross Schedule F income, rather than net Schedule F income. This new calculation can be used (1) to apply for a First Draw loan, (2) to request an increase to a First Draw loan (as long as forgiveness has not been received), and (3) to request a Second Draw loan, if otherwise eligible.

Five Steps to Formulate Workplace Contingency Plans - ISU Extension & Outreach

Food Retailers and Restaurants

Restaurant Revitalization Fund - This program will provide restaurants with funding equal to their pandemic-related revenue loss up to $10 million per business and no more than $5 million per physical location. Funds must be used for allowable expenses by March 11, 2023. For the first 21 days that the program is open, the SBA will prioritize funding applications from businesses owned and controlled by women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. All eligible applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as the portal opens. Following the 21 days, all eligible applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration opens April 30, 2021, applications available May 3, 2021. The online application will remain open to any eligible establishment until all funds are exhausted.

Best Practices for Retail Food Stores & Restaurants Infographic-COVID19

DIA FAQs For Reopening Restaurants

General Business Support

Iowa Department of Human Services - Child Care Business Survey Results

What the CDC Eviction Ban Means for Tenants and Landlords - Households must provide this declaration form when they are claiming to be part of the eviction moratorium. Landlords are not required to accept any notice that is not accompanied by this certification. The moratorium does not relieve tenants from the obligation to pay rent—all of it comes due on January 1, 2021—and it allows landlords to continue to charge late fees and other penalties as permitted by law.  For More information on the program contact information is below.

Karli Schmelzer

Northeast Iowa Community Action Corporation

Operations & Development Director

PO Box 487

Decorah, Ia 52101

Office: 563-387-4936

-EFP Landlord Information

Paycheck Protection Program - The SBA has rolled out additional program guidance, including revised and simplified loan forgiveness instructions, which is now available on their website. 

In order to qualify for PPP round 2, a business needs to have had a quarter in 2020 in which their gross receipts decreased 25% or more from the same quarter of 2019. If you are interested in PPP round 2, that is the first place to start - comparing your gross receipts from each quarter of 2020 to each quarter of 2019. If you have at least one with that 25% or greater reduction, the next step would be to reach out to your bank.

In addition - Farmers who were not eligible to receive PPP round 1 due to showing a loss on their 2019 Schedule F can now apply for PPP round 1 based on Schedule F gross income rather than net income. Again, if you believe you fall into that category, the next step would be to reach out to your bank.

Small Business Administration - Check here for new information about the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan.

LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR LOANS UNDER $50,000
The SBA released a simpler loan forgiveness application for PPP loans of $50,000 or less (released October 9, 2020). View the simpler loan forgiveness application and instructions here.

FORGIVENESS OF NONPAYROLL COSTS:
An updated FAQ document has also been provided (as of August 4, 2020) and PPP Interim Final Rule - Treatment of Owners & Forgiveness of Certain Nonpayroll Costs has been published (as of August 24, 2020).

SBA Frequently Asked Questions on PPP Loan Forgiveness

PPP Loan Forgiveness Application - Video instructions to fill out the form. Download a helpful spreadsheet under the video.

COVID-19 Federal Rural Resource Guide

Interim Final Rule Additional Criterion for Seasonal Employers  

Department of the Treasury - Assistance for Small Businesses

New CIRAS Services Can Help you Handle COVID-19

Mobile Splash Open $100 Special - Special advertising opportunity from KWWL app

C19 Poster For Businesses

Gift Card and Advance Admission Marketplace - Travel Iowa has partnered with Bandwango to launch a statewide Gift Card and Advance Admission Marketplace to help drive cash flow to tourism entities affected by COVID-19. All merchants will be represented on one centralized marketplace, promoted by Travel Iowa and tourism partners. Iowa Gift Card Marketplace FAQs.

Small Biz Best Practices

CCDG Business Resource Guide

CIRAS has launched https://www.ciras.iastate.edu/covid-19/ to provide you with up-to-date resources on how to respond to COVID-19 for your business.

Iowa Business Recovery Assistance from the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

Iowa Workforce Development: Limited In Person Services

Iowa Workforce Development will provide updates related to the impact of COVID-19 as they become available. Please review this page for the latest information and resources. The Iowa Department of Public Health also provides updates here.

ATTENTION EMPLOYERS: If you have offered work to employees and your employee refuses to return to work, you must notify Iowa Workforce Development here:  https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/job-offer-decline-form-employers

Legal Assistance Hotline for COVID-19 Questions: Individuals with questions of a legal nature should call the COVID-19 Legal Information Hotline at 1-800-332-0419. The hotline can assist Iowans with business and compliance issues, eviction, denial of unemployment benefits, employment issues and other personal legal concerns. You will be asked to leave a message and someone will return your call.

Recorded Webinar: Dealing with Coronavirus - What to do to Save Tourism Industry and Small Businesses

Jo Eckert - Branch Manager, Iowa District Office/Cedar Rapids Branch Office, U.S. Small Business Administration

2750 1st Ave., N.E. - Suite 350

Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

(319) 362-6535 (office)

(319) 450-2027 (cell)

jo.eckert@sba.gov

Nonprofit Support

CARES Act Loan Options For Nonprofits

Resources for Volunteer Iowa Programs and Nonprofits

Resources for Individuals

Child Care Resource & Referral: Child Care Openings

Clayton County Food Shelf

COVID-19 Iowa Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Program: Due Dec. 4, 11:59pm

-EFP Landlord Information

COVID-19 Multi-lingual Hotline Launched - Interpreters in high-demand languages are available 8:30 am-5:00 pm with a 24-hour voicemail at 1-877-558-2609. This hotline was made possible to help expand language access to Iowans with limited English ability.

Educational Resources - The Iowa Department of Education has partnered with other agencies to develop a list of educational resources available to students and parents during this time. To view the resources, visit: https://educateiowa.gov/pk-12/resources-support-learning-during-covid-19.

Food Delivery Program - Arrange a delivery through your local food pantry. They will contact NEICAC to schedule the delivery. A NEICAC staff member will contact you to confirm delivery date/time. Visit www.neicac.org for more information.

Food Pantry at Family Resource Center in Guttenberg

Food Pantry at Cornerstone Family Practice in Edgewood

Guide to Hand Sanitizers

Iowa Food Assistance during COVID-19 - The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) COVID19 web page has a new resource on Iowa Food Assistance. To view resources, click here.

Other resources for food assistance are available on the State of Iowa coronavirus website, including programs through the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Department of Public Health, Iowa Department on Aging, and other services.

The Iowa Department of Human Rights' network of local community action agencies has various types of help available such as food and clothing pantries, emergency assistance, and other services. Contact your local agency to what what services are available in your area.

The Food Bank of Iowa also has a searchable site/map to learn which food bank serves your area: https://www.foodbankiowa.org/gethelp.

The Iowa Homeowner Eviction Prevention Program will be reopened to provide eligible COVID-19 impacted homeowners at imminent risk of eviction with mortgage assistance for up to four months, with a maximum assistance per household of $3,600. The short-term program will be available until funds are exhausted or a new federal program is launched. Program funding is provided through federal CARES Act funds. Program eligibility details are available under Assistance for Homeowners at IowaHousingRecovery.com

The Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance Program will provide eligible COVID-19 impacted renters with rent and/or utility assistance for a total of up to 12 months.

General eligibility requirements require that applicants:

  • Be current renters earning no more than 80% of their county’s area median income
  • One or more individuals in the household must have either qualified for unemployment benefits or have experienced a documented financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability which may include a past due utility or rent notice or eviction notice.

Full program details and an eligibility precheck are available under Assistance for Renters at IowaHousingRecovery.com. Renters in need of assistance are encouraged to take the eligibility precheck to see if they meet initial eligibility criteria.

Iowa Department of Human Rights COVID-19 Resoures

Iowa Department of Public Health develops online resource for underserved populations in Iowa - The Iowa Department of Public Health, working with the Iowa Department of Human Rights (DHR), other state agencies and nonprofits, has developed a new web resource for Iowans who are at higher risk for health concerns related to the COVID-19 virus. Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Iowans, Iowans with disabilities, Iowans with a first language other than English, caregivers, people at risk for violence, Iowans who are homeless, LGBTQ+, or households with mixed or undocumented status and those who are at higher risk and may need additional resources or information. Please visit this site at https://idph.iowa.gov/Health-Equity/COVID-19-Resources-for-Underserved-Populations to learn more.

Questions about Unemployment Benefits in Iowa? Employers or claimants with questions can email Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) at uiclaimshelp@iwd.iowa.gov or call IWD at 1-866-239-0843. Please check www.IowaWorkforceDevelopment.gov for the specific information needed within the email in order for IWD to answer your questions.

Social Connectedness For The Homebound Resources

Temporary Workers - Are you or do you know of a worker impacted by COVID-19 closures? There are temporary job openings available statewide. To view a list of openings, visit: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/temp-jobs

Past Opportunities

Paycheck Protection Program

IOWA SMALL BUSINESS UTILITY DISRUPTION PREVENTION PROGRAM EXPANDED: Eligibility criteria for the Iowa Small Business Utility Disruption Prevention Program has been expanded to include utility assistance for eligible small businesses and nonprofits for electric or natural gas service provided between March 17, 2020 and October 15, 2020. The program will accept applications through October 31 or until all funds have been exhausted. Click here to learn more and apply.

COVID-19 Iowa Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Program - Due Dec. 4, 11:59 pm. The Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Program has been extended and can now offer assistance through November 2020.  To be eligible, clients must be at risk of eviction and have a reduction in employment hours or pay, or have lost a job because of issues related to COVID-19 (including self-employed individuals). Applicants can apply for assistance going back as far as April 2020 or out as far as November 2020. Applicants may qualify for up to 4 months of assistance or $3200, WHICHEVER IS LESS. The program is available for households under 80% AMI at the time of application (see chart below).  For more information on the program, or to begin the application process, visit www.iowahousingrecovery.com. The direct link to begin the application process is https://www.iowafinance.com/covid-19-iowa-eviction-and-foreclosure-prevention-program/

Iowa Small Business Relief Tax Deferral Program Continues with Second Round

CARES Act Business Guidelines

Iowa Residential Utility Disruption Prevention Program - Apply for up to $2,000 for utilities. Deadline: Nov. 20, 2020.

Iowa Nonprofit Recovery Fund - Apply now.

AmeriCorps Program Host Site Interest Form - Volunteer Iowa is creating new AmeriCorps programming for COVID-19 response work and to support Iowa's nonprofit organizations who are struggling with the impacts.

Institute for Museum and Library Services - CARES Act Grants for Museums and Libraries, deadline: June 12

CARES Act Highlights

Home Energy Assistance - The Iowa Department of Human Rights' network of local community action agencies administer the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to assist eligible households with a portion of their utility bill. Applications are being accepted at the local agencies through May 31, 2020. Find out how to apply for assistance through your local Community Action Agency.

Iowa Restaurant & Bar Relief Program - Applications due Feb. 15 at 5pm. Download the Iowa Restaurant and Bar Relief Program fact sheet.

Iowa Department of Public Health

Clayton County Emergency Management