How to Get Financial Assistance if Your Business is Closed

How to Get Financial Assistance if Your Business is Closed

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A huge announcement was made by Minnesota Governor Walz yesterday ordering all restaurants, bars, and public places of amusement to close by 5p on Tuesday, March 17th. Takeout and delivery will be available at most restaurants, but the majority of servers, cooks, bussers, bartenders, etc are being laid off. If you are one of these people or your business is closed, fortunately, you may be eligible for help. 

Walz issued an executive order to ensure workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic have full access to unemployment benefits. Not only is Walz waiving the “waiting” week to ensure applicants have access to unemployment benefits as quickly as possible, but he is also waiving the ordinary five-week benefit limitation for business owners. The executive order makes applicants eligible for unemployment benefits if:

  • A healthcare professional or health authority recommended or ordered them to avoid contact with others.
  • They have been ordered not to come to their workplace due to an outbreak of a communicable disease.
  • They have received notification from a school district, daycare, or other childcare providers that either classes are canceled or the applicant’s ordinary childcare is unavailable, provided that the applicant made reasonable effort to obtain other childcare and requested time off or other accommodation from the employer and no reasonable accommodation was available.

Because of an expected high volume of applicants, they are asking that you apply online. If you do need to talk to someone, call one of Customer Service at 1-877-898-9090. They are available Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Click here to apply online.

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