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  • Business Resources Covid-19

 

What supports are available for my business?  

Since the discovery of COVID-19 in Canada there have been so many significant changes across our country and within our communities. The impacts of social distancing, quarantines, illness and closures has already had a substantial impact on small businesses and how long it will continue remains unknown. We at SCCU are committed to supporting our business members in these challenging times by keeping you updated and informed on the options available.   

 

 

CEBA PROGRAM 

**CEBA expansion is now available.

Deadline for application is June 30, 2021**

We are pleased to be able to assist our members in accessing the Government’s Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA).  We are accepting applications based on the original eligibility criteria (Payroll Stream) and we are now accepting applications under the expanded eligibility criteria (Non-Deferrable Expenses Stream).

The application is available through our online banking portal (not through the mobile app). To apply for CEBA, review How to Prepare and Eligibility Requirements first, then click on the "Apply Now" button below to complete the online application.

Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email within 1-2 business days, confirming that your application has been received and is in progress.

Should all the qualification criteria be satisfied, you will receive a request from e-Sign to sign the loan document within 4-6 business days. The funds will be deposited to your account within 1 business day after we receive confirmation of signing.

**Deadline for application is June 3, 2021. This deadline extension applies to any new applications for CEBA loans of $60,000 or to new applications from businesses that have already received the $40,000 loan and intend to apply for the additional $20,000. ***

WHAT IS THE CANADA EMERGENCY BUSINESS ACCOUNT (CEBA)?

To ensure that small businesses have access to the capital they need to see them through the current challenges, the Government of Canada has launched the new Canada Emergency Business Account, which has been implemented by eligible financial institutions in cooperation with Export Development Canada (EDC).

This $25 billion program provides interest-free loans of up to $60,000 to eligible small businesses and not-for-profits, to help cover their operating costs during a period where their revenues have been temporarily reduced, due to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 virus.This will better position them to quickly return to providing services to their communities and creating employment.

Applicants who have received the $40,000 CEBA loan may apply for the $20,000 expansion, which provides eligible businesses with an additional $20,000 in financing.

Up to $20,000 loan forgiveness provided the outstanding balance is paid on or before December 31, 2022.

NON-DEFERRABLE EXPENSE STREAM ELIGIBLE EXPENSE CATEGORIES ARE THE FOLLOWING:

Wages and other employment expenses to independent (arm’s length) third parties;

• Rent or lease payments for real estate used for business purposes;

• Rent or lease payments for capital equipment used for business purposes;

• Payments incurred for insurance related costs;

• Payments incurred for property taxes;

• Payments incurred for business purposes for telephone and utilities in the form of gas, oil, electricity, water and internet;

• Payments for regularly scheduled debt service;

• Payments incurred under agreements with independent contractors and fees required in order to maintain licenses, authorizations or permissions necessary to conduct business by the Borrower 

 

 

HOW TO PREPARE 

Here is how you can  prepare to make the process as smooth as possible:

  • Confirm you are able to log into online banking (note: the applicant must both an authorized signer AND have the ability to bind the company)
  • Confirm you have the 2019 Statement of Remuneration (T4SUM) for the business
  • Confirm you have your 15 digit CRA business number (located on your T4SUM)
  • Confirm your payroll expenses meet the requirements noted below (the sum of Box 14 and Box 71)
  • For the Non-Deferrable Expense Stream, prepare to upload your documents to CEBA Government site after submitting your application: Bills / invoices / agreements that prove greater than $40,000 CAD in 2020 Eligible Non-Deferrable Expenses. Upload here.

PROGRAM DETAILS

As the CEBA program is guaranteed by the Government of Canada and administered by Export Development Canada, there are specific criteria that need to be met in order to qualify for CEBA.These include:

  • Must have an active CRA Business Number (BN) with an effective date of registration on or prior to March 1, 2020.
  • For the expansion: you will need to submit a new application and attestation to the financial institution that provided you with your original CEBA loan.Total payroll expenses in 2019 must be between $20,000 and $1,500,000
  • SCCU must be the business’s primary financial institution.  If you do not have a business chequing account you must create one before applying for CEBA through SCCU.
  • Funds must be used for operating expenses that cannot be deferred such as payroll, rent, utilities, insurance and property tax

Additional detail may be found on the government website here. 

Questions?  Need access to online banking? Unsure of your eligibility?  Please connect with us:  commerciallendingunit@sunshineccu.net or 604.740.2662.

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Our Offerings for Business Members: 

Payment deferrals on credit facilities is an effective way to reduce the strain on cash flows in the short term, however the interest does continue to accrue which affects both the overall interest paid on the lending and/or the overall repayment term in the long term. We recognize that every situation is unique and since there are other tools available to support our members, we are committed to working with each of them to develop the best plan for their business. 

 

We recognize that many of our business members rely on in person service and are not currently set up to accept digital payments to support a remote business model.  SCCU works with Payfirma to support the merchant services needs of our business members, and as existing virtual terminal and e-commerce solutions to assist with that transition. While they have also adapted their business model to better support social distancing, Payfirma has expressed a commitment to provide uninterrupted service to ensure they can equip our members with the tools they need. Should you want to discuss the options available please contact the commercial team at commerciallendingunit@sunshineccu.net or call our member service centre at 604.740.2662 and we can start the process.

More information on the services available can be found at www.payfirma.com

 

External Options for Business Members:

 
  • The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) is covering up to 75% of an employee’s wages for qualifying eligible employers, with this subsidy rate in effect until March 13, 2021. The wage subsidy supports you to keep and re-hire your employees and avoid layoffs.The CEWS is available until June 2021.
  • The Canada Recovery Benefit for Self-employed individuals provides $500 per week for up to 26 weeks for workers who have stopped working or had their income reduced by at least 50% due to COVID-19, and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance (EI).
  • Increase of credit available to small, medium and large Canadian businesses through a new Business Credit Availability Program 
  • Enhancing the Work-Sharing program to support employers and their workers 
  • A new Emergency Care Benefit to support self-employed individuals who are quarantined or ill, are caring for family members who are ill, or lack sufficient childcare due to school closures.  

*Please refer to the Government of Canada website for the most current information

 

The Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant program provides fully funded grants to businesses to ensure they have the support they need during and beyond COVID-19.

Grants of $10,000 to $30,000 are available to small and medium sized BC businesses impacted by COVID-19. An additional $5,000 to $15,000 grant is available to eligible tourism-related businesses.

The program runs until March 31, 2021 or until the funds are fully allocated, whichever comes first.

 
 

 

Business Credit Availability Program  

The Government of Canada has allocated funds to provide additional credit support to businesses via the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and Export Development Canada (EDC). Businesses can find some information here, it is recommended that you discuss your situation with your primary financial institution first as the primary purpose of these funds is to support businesses whose needs extend beyond what is available to them.   

Standard BDC Small Business Loans 

Outside of the new Business Credit Availability Program, BDC offers small business loans of up to $100,000 by way of an online application.  These loans offer an interest only feature for the first 6 months with repayment required over a maximum of 60 months thereafter. There are also no application fees.        

  

How can I help my community? 

  • Call to Action for Canadian Manufacturers - The Government of Canada is looking for manufacturers that can re-tool to produce much needed medical equipment and/or have access to the raw materials needed for production. More information can be found here. 
  • Should your business require financing to support this process please reach out to SCCU directly.  

 

 

We are always here to help