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California

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on September 25, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in California, we recommend that you visit the Secretary of State's website or the California COVID-19 portal.

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Description of Program and Relief

Hardship Emergency Loan Program (SF HELP) for Small Businesses

San Francisco has reopened the San Francisco Hardship Emergency Loan Program (SF HELP), which supports small businesses that have experienced sudden revenue loss caused by COVID-19. San Francisco has committed $5 million to the SF HELP for this round. SF HELP will provide small businesses with up to $50,000 in zero-interest loans. The loans will have a flexible repayment schedule and the terms will be determined on case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.

Loan applications are now available here.

Government or Lead Agency

City of San Francisco, Office of the Mayor; Office of Economic and Workforce Development

Dates Available

June 4, 2020 to June 18, 2020

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

These loans are available for small for-profit San Francisco-based businesses in good standing with a total annual revenue under $2.5M that have demonstrated a 25% drop in revenues since January 1, 2020.

Eligible loan uses include funding for working capital (e.g., rent, utilities, payroll, supplies), equipment, and inventory.

Additional eligibility requirements can be found here.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

Applications close on June 18, 2020.

Contact for More Information

To contact the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, call (415) 554-6134 or email sfosb@sfgov.org.

To contact the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), call (415) 282-3334.

List of Additional Information

General information about the SF HELP Program can be found here.

The announcement of the second round of the SF HELP can be found here.


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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