Unemployment

California EDD

The CARES Act funds unemployment benefits for independent contractors in addition to what the program used to be exclusively for --employees who worked for a business that paid into the system.  With the lock down, you don't have to provide evidence you are looking for work.  Relief can be up to $450 per week for 26 weeks, depending on your circumstances. The California EDD got off to a slow start with the independent contractor modification to the program, so if you were turned down or detered initially, re-apply.  Apply here. (updated 4/15/2020)

$500 Grant

Professional Beauty Association

The association puts on a great beauty convention in Long Beach each year. Donations are pouring in to help beauty pro's. This is $500 per applicant --beauty pro's who can't work.  Apply here. (updated 4/2/2020)

EIDL Grant & Loan

Small Business Administration (SBA)

The $2 trillion CARES act includes grants and loans for small business.  There are different types of disaster loans.  The Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) covers businesses without employees and has been in existence long before the new one created by the CARES Act, the PPP.  If you have employees, you are likely better off applying for the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) version.  Both programs have a grant portion to the loan refered to as "immediate assistance".  A grant is money you don't have to give back.  Whether you own a traditional salon, operate as an independent contractor by commission splits in a traditional salon, or rent a chair / salon suite as a completely independent business, you are very much a small business by SBA standards.  You can get up to $10K directly from the SBA to pay for a restricted list of things (rent, utilities, payroll, etc).  The grant request is an optional part of what essentially is a single application for a loan.  The loan portion can be for much a larger amount with less restrictions at 1% interest for a term of up to 2 years!  You have to qualify tough.  The loan portion of the relief is handled by a bank.  If you aready have a relationship with a bank that is participating in the program, you will likely have an advantage by working with them directly. Banks are allowed to service their regular customers first, so trying to get attention by going to a back directly as a new customer may be frustrating.  Fortunately, the initial application is relatively simple and performed directly with the SBA.  If you are a T&B licensee, we can walk you through it!  Apply online here. (updated 4/15/2020)

Read more in this Forbe's article.