Excellent Article Re: Fed Relief Prog For Ind Cont, Self-Employed, Solopreneurs

If you’ve been left out in all the stimulous programs, then this article on Alignable.com may be just what you need

Self-Employed, Solopreneurs, & Independent Contractors Can Access US Federal Relief Programs

Eric Groves from Alignable Apr 17th, 2020

My greatest frustration with the U.S. Relief Program is the confusion and difficulties felt by those of you who work on your own. In a recent Alignable poll, 40 percent of you decided not to apply for relief because you didn’t think you qualified. The number one reason you stated? You don’t have employees.

But you can access these programs.

Whether it was the poor naming convention (Paycheck Protection Program) or the government deciding that solos had to wait until April 10th to apply, many of you felt this money wasn’t for you. And this segment of the small business community makes up the majority of businesses.

SBA Quick Relief Guide for Solopreneurs, Independent Contractors, and Self-Employed

In collaboration with Robert Nelson (Regional Director of the Small Business Administration), we created this simple summary of each program for you, including how you can apply if you’re one of these businesses. If you don’t have an established relationship with a bank, you can find an SBA lender on Alignable.

Click image to expand

+ Get the SBA Quick Relief Guide for Solopreneurs, Independent Contractors, and Self-Employed

I hope it helps you get access to the relief you so deserve before the government programs run out of cash.

Note: Updated April 16th: Looks like the Federal Government has blown through allocating the initial $350 billion. Now’s a great time to study up on these alternatives in the hope they allocate additional funding to these programs.

For those of you operating alone, what funding options have you tried or are you planning to try? Share in the comments.

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All Comments (110)

Comments (1-10)

Sherry T Jones from Get Healthy with Sherry LLC Commented on Apr 19th, 2020

These systems aren’t set up for solo entrepreneurs like me. I applied for a SBA grant with no response nor was I able to reach anyone there. Now the package is committed. Maybe there will be a second package…. I applied for my state’s unemployment, with a no go because I ‘m not a one-job worker. Because my businesses don’t fit into the state unemployment system, I may be a candidate for a new Federal program for contract, etc. business that I read about yesterday that’s coming soon potentially. Application is supposed to be complicated though. So I’m not depending on outside help at this point! Here’s to entrepreneurs across the nation – we are resourceful, we are strong and we will do more than survive!

Beth Douglas from Beth Douglas CSR, RPRSame Deb Tracy from SIGNPROgrammers, Inc.Commented on Apr 18th, 2020

Applied for PPP (all while keeping employee on full time as guidelines) did not get money on hold. Not fair that ”small business” is lumped from 1 employee to 500. The banks given the Money to the bigger companies as more profitable for banker to keep the big accounts. Sad.

Rob Anderson from Connors GreensWell, I suspect the banks took a look at the low hanging fruit (applications with big dollar amounts) and processed those first (after all they make money on the fees the gov’t pays). Having applied for EIDL (application acknowledged on March 26 2020) heard nothing since… Applied for PPP which is not a good program in my opinion, businesses have expenses besides payroll.. & the allocation for these expenses isn’t near covering it, plus $350B expended already (I applied with 2 big banks) and my application isn’t even processed.. (applied the day we were able to). Looking at the poll data here, 66% of businesses haven’t even applied… Yikes.. Saying the program is a success seems bit like feeding the week old leftovers to the dog and saying they were great because the dog ate them (oh and the dog wasn’t fed for a couple weeks and knew he wasn’t getting fed for the few months coming up) 😉 Linda Mac Dougall from Mac Dougall Consulting for Disabilities, LLC Commented on Apr 18th, 2020

I am a tiny business. I am a senior who works with seniors, many in retirement homes. They and I are the most vulnerable and on lockdown. We probably won’t be let loose before the greater economy is back. I filed for unemployment quite some time ago. No word. Now there is apparently a new unemployment program I must apply to. I tried to apply for PPP through US Bank. Though they tried, their application process never worked for me and locked me out. Now Wells Fargo’s application is available and that is my bank, so I will try again. Applied for EIDL also quite a while ago, but there was an error, so I reapplied a week or so ago.

I would really like the option to print out the forms so I can fill and send in should glitches like the above get in the way of an electronic application. We should not have to depend on just one method in a time of crisis.

Linda Constant from Nature NurtureAgree!!! Carolyn Sampson from VUR TRAVEL Group Commented on Apr 18th, 2020

Being slow out the gate, unsuccessful in connecting with a funding institution, etc., lands me facing notices indicating funds unavailable at this time. What to do in the mean time? You may have heard me say this before BUT until God opens the next door – I will praise Him in the hallway… and keep on ‘Doing My Can Do’ (i.e. be a smarter money manager, operating as creatively and frugally as possible).

Darrell Rhodes from The Internet Centre IncAmen, HE is faithful! David Weininger from David Weininger, O.D.Commented on Apr 18th, 2020BankofAmerica told me that the checking account that I have used for 35+ years did not meet their requirements as a business account so I could not apply for a PPP loan. they were NOT interested in helping me in any way whatsoever. when this is over I shall be removing my funds form BOA. Connie Green from Lotus Montessori AcademyI had the same issue with TD bank. Gayle Vaartjes from The Kostume Room, LLC Commented on Apr 18th, 2020

I have applied for both loans PPP and the EIDL a few weeks ago. Our banker is great at keeping us updated. Now the funds have run out and now we all wait some more.I dont want to give up…I have worked so hard to get this far. The larger companies are getting the help and here we sit with no help at all.

Linda Kennedy from Linda Kennedy Hair DesignI applied for all of the options, PPP, SBA advance, SBA, unemployment, plus a few Beauty Association grants .. heck I can’t even get my retirement money out and I can’t not work for much longer Sheryol Threewit from All Things Beautiful Gifts Boutique Commented on Apr 18th, 2020

I applied to banks, approved lenders and thru IL SBA and directly to the Federal SBA. I applied in March before PPP, Cares act. I got in line. I was approved for a small loan a week ago on 4/12 . Signed loan papers on the 16th. It has been stressful. Everyone responded, but only one can through. I also received 1k from EIDL. I’m a sole proprietor with one part-time employee. I’m just waiting for the money to hit my account. I feel fortunate.

Michael Spitalney from MarginEdgeCongrats – glad you were able to get approval! Tracer Roberts from 1 N Done Handyman Service LL C Commented on Apr 18th, 2020

As the owner operator of my business I had to error on the side of caution on taking new clients due to the fact that my wife was diagnosed with leukemia 6 months before the Covid pandemic. As the information came out on how deadly is this virus is to people with little to no immune system or are taking chemotherapy, with no clear explanation of how it can be transmitted or what symptoms to look for,i was left with 2 options keep working and kill my or self quarantine. We are desperate to get this thing past the curve or find a vaccine.

Gail C Forbes from Safe Haven Placement AgencyI am so sorry that your wife are going through this. It makes my issues look so small. I will be praying for you both. If there is anything I can do to help please do let me know? Gail Summey from Illusions Salon – Saco’s Hair Color Specialists Commented on Apr 20th, 2020

Applied for EIDL loan weeks ago and have not heard a word from them. I am a small business with 4 employees. All of my employees are getting unemployment, but I am still waiting. I have fixed costs to cover and no help that has been promised has come through. This will effect my business and the ability to reopen and rehire. I should also mention that my business is 31 years old.

Cathleen Orians from MightyMouseMaid, LLCi am sorry for this hit and disappointment. Janet Klein from Crystal Fantasies Commented on Apr 18th, 2020

Have applied for all of the above except the Bridge Loan & the debt relief loan. Will apply for unemployment come Monday when it opens for self employed & sole proprietors. No action yet. Self employed artists are at the bottom on any business needs list. Gee, if we only had an accounting department (other than ourselves) we could compete with the big girls & boys!

Charmaine Natural Tresses from Natural Tresses Natural Hair StudioI saw a grant for artist just yesterday when I googled grants fir self employed due to Covid19 . Sorry I can’t recall the site but try Google.

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