COVID-19 Resources for Businesses + Individuals
 In COVID-19, Featured News

COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)

In these challenging and rapidly-changing times, it’s hard to know where to turn for the assistance you need. WSW and our partners have compiled the list of resources below to help businesses and individuals quickly find the help they need. We will update it as more information becomes available.

Although we are working remotely to follow recommendations for safety and social distancing, we continue to work with and advocate on behalf of impacted businesses and individuals in Clark, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties. We are available to assist you!

Governor’s Proclamation

Workforce Support for Businesses

Please contact our Director of Business Services Darcy Hoffman with any questions or concerns at dhoffman@workforcesw.org or 360.608.4949.

  • Several programs are available from WSW and WorkSource that can help businesses affected by COVID-19, including layoff aversion programs. Emergency rules were enacted to relieve the burden of temporary layoffs, isolation, and quarantine for workers and businesses. For companies that includes:
    • SharedWork program (videos here) allows employers to reduce the hours of permanent and paid hourly employees by as much as 50 percent, and the employees can collect partial unemployment benefits to replace a portion of their lost wages.
    • If you need to shut down operations temporarily because an employee becomes sick and other employees need to be isolated or quarantined, your workers may be able to receive unemployment benefits and you may receive relief of benefit charges. You may request to place employees on standby for up to eight weeks and your employees can collect unemployment benefits without having to look for other work. You may request relief of benefit charges. Workers must accept any telework you offer.
    • For temporary layoffs due to a slowdown in business, you may request to place an employee on standby for eight weeks and your employee can collect unemployment benefits without having to look for other work. If on standby, workers must accept any work you offer that they can do without breaking isolation or quarantine. Relief of benefit charges cannot be granted in this situation.
    • Financial penalties may be waived for employers who file tax reports late, pay taxes late, or do not respond to requests for information in a timely fashion as a result of COVID-19.
    • Layoff assistance information.
  • WSW joined forces with our partners at CREDC and hosted Zoom calls on March 18 and 20 where we walked through local, state and federal assistance available for businesses impacted by COVID-19. Access the slides from those calls here. and watch the 3/20/20 video here.

Financial Assistance for Businesses

  • The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act will provide new resources for small businesses, certain nonprofits and other employers. This Small Business Owner’s Guide provides information about the major programs and initiatives that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA), as well as some additional tax provisions. To keep up to date contact your local Small Business Administration (SBA) District Office.
    If you need:

  • Small Business Administration (SBA) may be able to provide assistance through the Economic Injury Disaster Loans program to businesses that have suffered substantial economic injury. Congress approved low-interest disaster loans specifically to assist small businesses impacted by COVID-19. These loans can help small businesses meet financial obligations and cover operating expenses.
  • WA State Department of Revenue (DOR) can work with impacted companies that request an extension on tax filing. Affected businesses that owe Washington taxes may qualify for the following assistance (follow each link to learn more):

Guidance & Planning Resources for Businesses

For Individuals

Job Search + Training Support

Our WorkSource and Next partners are available to assist individuals and young adults seeking job search and training assistance. Although they are following recommendations for social distancing and safety measures and their offices are not currently open to the public, they are available to assist you.

Financial

Utilities

General Health Information

Schools + Education

Child Care

  • If your child care facility closed due to COVID-19 concerns, contact Child Care Aware of Washington’s Family Center at 1.800.446.1114
  • or familycenter@childcare.org for help searching for alternative child care. Child Care Aware is a nonprofit statewide child care resource and referral program for Washington State.
  • Educational Service District 112 Child Care Resource and Referral line 360.952.3466

Local Governments Respond

Where to find updated information on what steps local governments are taking in response to COVID-19:

Other Information

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