1. NCDES (NC Department of Commerce and Employment Security) Customer Service hotline: 888-737-0259. Their main unemployment website is linked here.

1. This is a link to the NC Department of Labor's contact page. I am not positive if they'd have more information for you, but it is worth a shot. Their number is 1-800-625-2267.

2. This is a link to the U.S. Department of Labor's website about assistance. They have how-to's and more information that may help.

3. Here is a link to USA.Gov's Unemployment information site. They also have an assistance program called Cobra for retaining employer's insurance benefits through Covid-19, from what I understand. Perhaps this will give you some help or more information if you qualify.

4. Here is a link to an Unemployment Insurance Aid application. I believe there are multiple categories of applications that may help.

5. Friends of Orange County DSS Emergency Assistance may offer some unemployment resources? I am not positive, but their Hillsborough Phone Number is 919-245-2800.

6. Orange County Government's Covid-19 Resource page.

7. Here is a news article Covid-18 assistance checks coming! Perhaps this will give you some peace of mind and hopefully you'll get this assistance ASAP if you qualify.

8. Here is a link to Congressman David Price's Coronavorus Resource Guide. It has Covid-19 Information but may give you some names and numbers to call in government.

Business Grants and Funding

1. Grants, Loans and other recovery Links: NC Department of Commerce Job Retention Grant, NC COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loan and more!
2. Save Small Businesses Initiative: This webpage offers resources that include funding, polls, State by State Employer Reopening Guidance, Financial Aid and Tax Guides, and Advocacy from the U.S. Chamber as well as info on Legislation targeted to help small businesses.

Orange County Grants and Covid-19 Aids

• Orange County’s Round #3 Emergency Small Business Funding Program: To assist Orange County-based small businesses that are experiencing financial difficulties such as mandated shutdowns, employee layoffs, and operating losses as a result of ongoing efforts at the Federal, State and local authorities to contain and minimize the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Application deadline: Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 5:00 p.m.
  • Businesses that have already received COVID-19 related financial assistance from either the state, federal or local governments are eligible to apply for this third round of emergency funding.
• Agriculture Relief: $13 billion allocated to agricultural programs from Covid-19 relief package.

There are multiple U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs that could be relevant for your business:

1. SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program - This program helps small businesses and non-profits that have been severely impacted by COVID-19 to overcome temporary loss of revenue with low-interest loans (up to $2 million) with favorable terms (3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profits, repaid over 30 years). The application process has been updated.
2. Payment Protection Program - This is a new $350 billion program that is part of the $2 trillion coronavirus relief package, called the CARES Act, that was signed into law on March 27, 2020. This program helps small businesses and eligible nonprofit organizations keep employees on payroll by offering loan forgiveness. Loans of up to $10 million are available and the SBA will forgive the portion of the loan proceeds that are used to cover the first 8 weeks of payroll and certain other expenses.
3. The US Chamber Foundation produced a helpful guide to better understand the Payment Protection Program.
4. US Small Business Administration Restaurant Revitalization Fund Virtual Events