COVID-19 Resources

If you know of a resource which should be added to this page or if you want to share how COVID-19 has impacted your workplace, please contact us here.

Reopening & Recovery

• business.wa.gov - one-stop shop for small business information
• Washington State's Phased Recovery Plan (May 4)
• Reopening Guidance for Workplaces (Phases 1-3)
• Recovery Resource Hub WA
• Lease Amendment Toolkit (Seattle OED, Perkins Coie, Communities Rise) - information and template documents to help small businesses and nonprofit navigate the negotiation of their rent
• Ascend Playbook (UW, Dept of Enterprise Services) - insights and recommendations to help small businesses recover from COVID
• Back to Work Toolkit (Madrona Venture Partners, Seattle Metro Chamber, Bellevue Chamber)
• New Normal Planning (Boston Consulting Group, Challenge Seattle, Washington Roundtable)

Relief for Businesses & Nonprofits

• Emergency Loans: Small Biz Guide & Checklist (US Chamber of Commerce)

• Seattle Foundation COVID-19 Response Fund - for community-based organizations in the Greater Puget Sound

• WA Dept. of Financial Services | Financial resources for WA residents impacted by COVID-19

• Utility Payment Deferment Programs: Seattle City Light & Seattle Public Utilities, Puget Sound Energy

• Tax deferral programs: IRS federal income tax, WA Dept of Revenue, Seattle B&O tax

• Financial services: many banks and credit unions have options for their clients. Their advice is to call them directly and work out the best plan for your business. Support includes: 1st Security Bank, Bank of America, BECU, First Financial Northwest Bank, JP Morgan Chase, Salal Credit Union, Umpqua Bank, US Bank, Verity Credit Union, Wells Fargo

• Manage Stress/Anxiety with Washington Listens

County, City, and Neighborhood-Specific Resources
 

• Eastside Recovery Hub - Bellevue, Bothell, Issaquah, Kenmore, Kirkland, Redmond, Renton, Woodinville

• Edmonds Chamber of Commerce

• King County: 4Culture Reopen Fund - support for the training, protective equipment, infrastructure improvements, systems upgrades, additional personnel and other measures needed for cultural organizations and the owners/stewards of designated landmarks to provide programming under and to adapt to COVID-19 public health restrictions
• Seattle - penalties enforced for violations of mandatory mask-wearing
• Seattle - streamlined, free, temporary permits for sidewalk cafes, merchandise display, and vending

• Seattle Office of Economic Development - Pandemic Resource Hub

• Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce - Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac, and Tukwila

• Eviction Rent Assistance Program for Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Douglas, Ferry, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Lincoln, Pacific, Stevens, Thurston, and Whatcom counties 

Important Info for Employers

Business.wa.gov - one-stop shop for WA small businesses around COVID-19

• WA Small Business Development Center Business Resiliency Toolkit

• WA Department of Commerce - comprehensive business resource list

• WA Employment Security Dept: Unemployment Insurance, StandBy, and SharedWork programs to assist with retaining and supporting employees during layoffs

  • Comparison guide for common scenarios which may occur and the benefits that may apply
    

• WA Paid Family & Medical Leave

• WA Dept of Labor & Industries: FAQ on workers compensation, workplace safety, OSHA guidelines

• WA Office of the Insurance Commissioner

• City of Seattle Paid Sick & Safe Time

• Seattle Dept. of Transportation - Request a temporary loading zone near your restaurant for curbside pick-up 

• GSBA Member HCMP Law Offices' guide for restaurants and bars with regards to the temporary moratorium on rental evictions

• Business Impact NW - business supports, loan readiness, referral partners
• US Chamber of Commerce - including workplace guides, customizable fliers, and workplace tips
• CO - Coronavirus Small Business Guide
• Main Street Alliance
• NFIB - including recorded webinars and FAQs
• Google resource list for small/medium businesses, including free skills trainings
• Salesforce: Work.com Reopening Guidelines

Resources for Employees

Access to public benefits, protections against discrimination, specific supports, and more

• QLaw Foundation - free LGBTQ+ legal clinics; now happening by phone

• Disaster Cash Assistance Program - through WA Dept. of Social & Health Services

• Unemployment Law Project - advice, counsel, and representation for those denied unemployment benefits or whose award of benefits is being challenged.

• Bartender Emergency Assistance Program

• Washington Healthplanfinder - Special enrollment period opened for qualified individuals without insurance

Official Resources

Info and resources from government departments and agencies broader than the specific needs of small businesses, nonprofits, and other establishments.

• World Health Organization (WHO)

• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

• Governor Jay Inslee

• WA Department of Public Health

• City of Seattle

• Counties: King, Snohomish, Pierce, Kitsap, Walla Walla, Spokane, Thurston

Community Resources

• Ingersoll Gender Center & UTOPIA Seattle have launched the Trans and Gender Diverse Emergency Community Aid Fund to support trans and gender diverse community members who've lost income and stability due to the outbreak.

• Watch this safety webinar by King County Public Health for outreach staff working with vulnerable communities and small businesses

• All In Seattle - coordinated fundraising effort deploying resources directly to proven non-profits who can deliver it to those most in need.

• Ingersoll Gender Center's Trans Peer Support Group continues to operate as a virtual meeting every Wednesday evening.

• Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County's hotline (425-252-2873) is open 24/7 for anyone in need

• Tips for self-care during the COVID-19 outbreak (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention)

• Find an LGBTQ-friendly mental health professional through the GSBA Guide & Directory 

• General list of community resources related to COVID-19 outbreak (NW Folklife)
  

• Comcast increases free WiFi, access to internet, and essential online services

• BoardSource has advice for what nonprofit Board members should be doing during the epidemic.

Learn about the creative ways GSBA Members are safely connecting with customers.