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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

L.A. CARES Corps Assistance with Business Loan Applications

L.A. CARES Corps provides small businesses with help in applying for federal loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that can help them survive the COVID-19 crisis. In order to provide emergency assistance to businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, the CARES Act provided extra funding for Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. The CARES Act additionally established the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), Emergency Economic Injury Grant (EEIG), and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) as temporary programs to address the COVID-19 outbreak.

The SBA loan program is a pre-existing and ongoing program that provides federally-assisted loans to qualifying small businesses.

EIDL provides loans of up to $2 million with a 3.75% interest rate for businesses and a 2.75% interest rate for nonprofits with terms of up to 30 years. EEIG is part of the EIDL program, and provides an optional $10,000 advance as a non-repayable grant within days of a successful loan application.

PPP is a federally guaranteed loan program to help small businesses keep workers on payroll for a period of 8 weeks during this crisis. PPP loans can be up to $10 million with a 1.0% interest rate with a term of two years. Loans will be fully forgiven if at least 60% of the entire loan is allocated towards payroll, funds are used for eligible uses, and employment and compensation levels are maintained. Borrowers are required to expend the entirety of their PPP loans within 24 weeks or by December 21, 2020, whichever comes first.

Government or Lead Agency

City of Los Angeles, Economic & Workforce Development Department (EWDD)

Dates Available

L.A. Cares Corps assistance is ongoing.

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

Qualifying small businesses, certain non-profits and veterans organizations may apply for EIDL and PPP loans. Official guidance with a more detailed list of eligibility requirements, along with application links, may be found here. Borrowers may apply for both loan options as long as there is no duplication in the uses of funds.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

PPP loans are currently available until August 8, 2020.

EIDL loans are currently available until December 30, 2020.

Contact for More Information

To access the L.A. Cares Corps website, click here.

For help with applying for SBA loans from trained loan counselors, visit the LA County Help Center or call (833) 238-4450.

For additional assistance with applying for a Los Angeles City loan, SBA loan, EIDL loan or PPP loan, please contact your nearest BusinessSource Center.

List of Additional Information

Mayor Garcetti’s Press Release about the formation of L.A. CARES Corps.

If you do not qualify for SBA loans, you may be eligible for a City of LA Small Business Emergency Microloan. For more information about that program, click 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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