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:
- New Iowa Rent and Utility Assistance Program: The program will provide financial assistance to eligible COVID-19 impacted Iowans for rent and utility costs for a period of up to 12 months. Renters in need of assistance are encouraged to take the pre-check to determine if they meet the initial eligibility criteria, and if so, to sign-up to receive notification when the full application is available.
- Iowa nonprofits, service agencies, landlords, and utility providers are encouraged to share program information with renters in need of assistance so that as many Iowans as possible can be helped. The pre-check tool and additional information can be found on the Iowa Housing Recovery website.
- Cross Program Eligibility on SBA Coronavirus Relief Options - The SBA put together a matrix that compares the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) and the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) eligibility. This matrix is designed to help you decide what is best for your small business.
- Iowa Restaurant and Bar Relief Grant Program
- The application window for this program is now closed. To track your application, please click here.
- Paycheck Protection Program:
- Starting Wednesday, February 24 to March 9, only businesses with fewer than 20 employees can apply for the PPP. After 14 days, all qualified businesses can resume applying.
- Biden Administration takes steps to promote equitable access to SBA relief (2.22.2021)
- Paycheck Protection Program Borrower Application Form (1.8.2021)
- The National Restaurant Association has distilled it into a seven-page “PPP User Guide" for Restaurants. The document can be found online here.
- 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.
- Targeted EIDL Advance FAQ (2.8.2021)
- Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL): deadline to apply for a COVID-19 pandemic Economic Injury Disaster Loan has been extended to December 31, 2021. The application portal is open to eligible small businesses, non-profits, and agricultural businesses impacted by COVID19. Apply for assistance here: https://sba.gov/disaster. If your COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan was declined, you can request reconsideration within six months of the date of the decline letter. Include your application number and information required to overcome the reason for decline. You can send this information via email to pdcrecons@sba.gov or mail to the U.S. Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, Texas, 76155.
- Shuttered Venue Operators Grant: Emergency assistance for eligible venues affected by the COVID pandemic. SBA is in the process of setting up the grant program and is not yet accepting applications.
Osceola Regional Health Center:
- Pam Juber, Director of Public Health reviews current Phase 1B Tier 2 information and shares news of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (2.28.2021)
- Pam Juber, Director of Public Health provides updates regarding this week’s ongoing COVID-19 vaccine clinics and planning of next vaccine clinics, weekly vaccine dose allocation numbers, criteria for receiving boost doses, and updated CDC quarantine guidance. Watch here (2.18.2021)
- To view the most recent resources and announcements, and to fill out and submit your form to receive the vaccination, please visit osceolarhc.org/covid-19-vaccine.
- Talking with Children about COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
- Avera New Normal Business Toolkit
- Osceola County (IA) Mental Health Coalition statement
- Avera COVID-19 Workplace Guidelines
State of Iowa:
- Vaccinate Iowa website - a new website that provides information about vaccine priority populations and eligibility, resources available for Iowans age 65 and older, and answers to frequently asked questions about vaccine. The site also hosts a locator tool where users can enter their zip code to find vaccine providers near them. Once a provider is selected, appointment scheduling will be done through the provider’s website or scheduling platform. Information on the site will be updated regularly and site content can be translated into multiple languages. (2.26.2021)
- Iowa COVID-19 Vaccine Web Page
- Gov. Reynolds signs new Public Health Disaster proclamation: Gov. Reynolds signed a new Public Health Disaster proclamation that relaxes existing public health measures effective Sunday, February 7th, 2021 while continuing critical regulatory relief to those on the frontlines of COVID19 recovery for an additional 30 days. The proclamation strongly encourages Iowans, businesses, and organizations to take reasonable public health measures consistent with guidance from the Iowa Department of Public Health.
- Full proclamation (2.5.2021)
- Gov. Reynolds encourages Iowans to step up, stop the spread
- COVID-19 Response: When to Quarantine For Business, Education, and Child Care Settings
- Governor Reynolds’ Open Letter to Iowans on COVID19. Watch here.
- Test Iowa site
- Iowa COVID-19 website
- Iowa Department of Public Health website
School District Updates:
- Sibley-Ocheyedan School District COVID-19 Information
- Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn School District updates
- Harris-Lake Park School District Updates
- Sheldon Community School District Updates
- Iowa Workforce Development provides guidance on recently authorized federal benefits programs. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021 (1.11.2020):
- PUA: Now available through March 13, 2021, or for up to 50 total weeks of eligibility, whichever comes first. The additional 11 weeks can only be paid as of Dec. 27, 2020, with the first eligible payments set for the week ending Jan. 2, 2021.
- PEUC: Now available through March 13, 2021, or for up to 24 total weeks of eligibility, whichever comes first. The additional 11 weeks can only be paid as of Dec. 27, 2020, with the first eligible payments set for the week ending Jan. 2, 2021.
- FPUC: Now provides $300 per week to supplement benefits for weeks of unemployment beginning after Dec. 26, 2020, through March 13, 2021. To receive FPUC benefits, you must be receiving UI, PEUC, EB, Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA), Voluntary Shared Work (VSW), Disaster Unemployment (DUA), or PUA. FPUC benefits will not be paid from July 27 to Dec. 26, 2020, per federal guidelines. FPUC eligibility will begin on Dec. 27, 2020, with the first payments set for the week ending Jan. 2, 2021.
- MEUC: Now provides an additional $100 per week in supplemental benefits to individuals receiving certain unemployment insurance benefits who received at least $5,000 of self-employment income in the most recent taxable year ending prior to the individual’s application for regular unemployment compensation. Authority to make MEUC payments continues through weeks of unemployment ending on or before March 14, 2021.
More Business Resources:
- Travel Industry Relief Resources (1.14.2021)
- Federal Resources for U.S. Small Businesses
- COVID-19 FAQ for Restaurants, Bars and other food businesses (updated 11.11.2020)
- FAQs about COVID-Related Employment Law Compliance
- The Iowa Economic Development Authority published guidance for businesses during the pandemic. Click here for signage, checklists and additional guidance.
- OSHA has prepared safety guidelines for many industries to limit the spread of COVID-19 here.
- Iowa's SBDC has produced resources with printable posters and checklists that businesses can use during the pandemic.
- Business Capacity Calculations (Iowa Dept of Public Safety)
- Iowa Restaurant Association resources
Resources for non-profits:
- Resources for Nonprofit Organizations from the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
- Nonprofits and Coronavirus, COVID-19
Other resources:
- COVID Recovery Iowa - free virtual counseling and assistance
- Call 211 or 1-800-244-7431 if you have COVID-19 related questions (available 24/7)
- Iowa Concern Hotline: 800-447-1985.
- Alliant Energy Energy Assistance
- COVID-19 Multi-Lingual Hotline: 1-877-558-2609.
- Iowa Legal Aid: 2020 Coronavirus Outbreak: What you need to know
- Child Care Guidance in Response to COVID-19 from Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral - call (877) 216-8481.