Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources

Please continue to check this page for updated resources to assist businesses and our communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Financial assistance:

IOWA RESIDENTIAL UTILITY DISRUPTION PREVENTION PROGRAM: The Iowa Economic Development Authority's Residential Utility Disruption Prevention Program will provide short-term relief to eligible residential electric, natural gas and water utility customers that face significant hardship in the payment of utility bills for service provided between March 17, 2020, and October 8, 2020.
STATUS: The application deadline is November 20, 2020.
MORE INFORMATION: To apply, please visit iowahousingrecovery.com.
IOWA SMALL BUSINESS UTILITY DISRUPTION PREVENTION PROGRAM: The Small Business Utility Disruption Prevention Program will provide short-term relief to eligible small businesses and nonprofits that face significant hardship in the payment of utility bills for service provided during the months of disruption to their business.
STATUS: The program is taking applications until October 31, 2020, or until funds have been exhausted.
MORE INFORMATION: Click here to learn more and apply.
PPP Payment Extensions: The Small Business Association (SBA) announced a deferral for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Payment Extensions for an additional 10 months. Click here to view the simpler loan forgiveness application. Click here to view the instructions for completing the simpler loan forgiveness application.
Assistance for Iowa Renters and Homeowners - This program will provide short-term relief to income-eligible renters and homeowners who are at risk of eviction or foreclosure. Click here for full info.
The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) application portal is open to eligible small businesses, non-profits, and agricultural businesses impacted by COVID19. Apply for assistance here: https://sba.gov/disaster.
Helpful contacts:
- Learn more about SBA resources for rural businesses by going to sba.gov/rural.
- SBA Coronavirus info
- SBA Iowa
- IRS Coronavirus info www.irs.gov/coronavirus
- SBA disaster hotline 1-800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
- Spencer SBDC office

State of Iowa:

Gov. Reynolds signs new proclamation continuing State Public Health Emergency Declaration (10.16.2020)
COVID-19 Response: When to Quarantine For Business, Education, and Child Care Settings (9.29.2020)
Gov. Reynolds signs new Public Health proclamation adjusting mitigation efforts (9.18.2020)
IEDA and IDPH Mitigating COVID-19 Q&A - Frequently asked questions with answers to assist Iowans with virus containment (8.21.2020)
Governor Reynolds’ Open Letter to Iowans on COVID19. Watch here. (8.7.2020)
Gov. Reynolds is holding bi-weekly press conferences - tune in Tuesday and Thursday of each week at 11am on Governor Reynolds' Facebook page. (8.3.2020)
State Launches #StepUpMaskUpIA to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
Test Iowa site
Iowa COVID-19 website
Iowa Department of Public Health website

Osceola Regional Health Center:

School District Updates:

Iowa Workforce Development:

State Extended Benefits program will end Oct. 31, 2020: The last payable week on the EB program is the week ending October 31, 2020. Extended Benefits cannot be paid to any claimant for weeks of unemployment after October 31, 2020, even if they have not yet received 13 weeks of EB. Those who lose EB may be eligible for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. Claimants may apply for PUA at https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/pua-information
Lost Wages Assistance program - Claimants must be eligible to receive at least $100 in unemployment benefits per week, and the individual must self-certify that s/he is unemployed or partially unemployed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/lost-wages-assistance
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and Unemployment Insurance Benefits for Employers (6.16.2020)
PTO and Unemployment Benefits Talking Points
Unemployment insurance customer service line: 1-866-239-0843.
Covid 19 for workers

More Business Resources:

FAQs about COVID-Related Employment Law Compliance (7.21.2020)
The Iowa Economic Development Authority published guidance for businesses during the pandemic. Click here for signage, checklists and additional guidance.
It's important to adhere to safety measures in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. OSHA has prepared safety guidelines for many industries here.
Iowa's SBDC has produced resources with printable posters and checklists that businesses can use during the pandemic. Visit www.iowasbdc.org/back2biz.
COVID-19 Customizable Flyer (US Chamber of Commerce)
Business Capacity Calculations (Iowa Dept of Public Safety)
Retail Ready to Reopen COVID19 Resources
Small Biz Best Practices (from ISU Iowa Retail Initiative)
Resources for Restaurants
CDC Resources for Businesses and Employers

Resources for non-profits:

USDA Resources:

Other resources:

Free Counseling available to ALL Iowans through new COVID Recovery Iowa program.
Iowa renter/homeowner assistance program is accepting applications. Visit here or click here for the program overview (5.29.2020)
A 24/7 hotline has been set up for Iowans to call with COVID-19 related questions. Call 211 or 1-800-244-7431. The Iowa Concern Hotline is also available on 800-447-1985.
Iowa Resource Coordination Center to help farmers through the pandemic
Alliant Energy Energy Assistance
COVID-19 Multi-Lingual Hotline: Interpreters in high-demand languages are available from 8:30am-5pm with a 24-hour voicemail at 1-877-558-2609.
Iowa Legal Aid: 2020 Coronavirus Outbreak: What you need to know
Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers
Child Care Guidance in Response to COVID-19 from Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral. For questions call (877) 216-8481.
Funding Opportunities Available to Childcare Programs
DHS Child Care Availability

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