PBN Rhode Island COVID-19 Resource Guide

Updated April 2

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The coronavirus pandemic has spread around the globe, leaving local governments searching for answers and people scrambling for resources. The daily routine of doing business has become complex. A Providence Business News poll indicates that half of the workforce is relegated to working remotely, which is creating a host of issues and challenges for working families.

PBN has assembled a resource guide to assist businesses and the public with addressing challenges presented by the outbreak. This resource guide will continue to evolve, as new resources are discovered and added. Please contact our editorial department if you have a resource to share. Please email information and resources to web editor Chris Bergenheim at: Bergenheim@pbn.com.

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PBN COVID-19 Resource Guide

  • Rhode Island Department of Health: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a virus strain that has spread in people since December 2019. For information on Rhode Island specific COVID-19 numbers, see RIDOH’s COVID-19 Disease Data webpage. For general questions, email RIDOH at: RIDOH.COVID19Questions@health.ri.gov, or call (401) 222-8022.
  • Rhode Island Commerce Corp.

Find information provided by RICC: Call the COVID-19 Info Line: (401) 521-HELP/Email: info@commerceri.com
Website: commerceri.com/covid-19/

  • Guidance on preparing workplaces for COVID-19 per the U.S. Department of Labor:
    Guide offers information about how a COVID-19 outbreak affects the workplace, steps employers can take to reduce risk of exposure, and what to do to protect workers, etc.: https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf
  • Information on SBA Disaster Loan Assistance
    • The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to Rhode Island small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
    • If your business has questions regarding SBA loans and access to capital, call the Small Business Hotline during business hours at (401) 521-HELP or e-mail info@commerceri.com.
    • Economic Injury Disaster Loans are eligible to receive an advance of up to $10,000 within three days of a successful application. This loan advance will not have to be repaid.
  • Disability & Unemployment Insurance
    • For questions on temporary disability insurance (TDI), unemployment insurance (UI), and other benefits, review the COVID-19 Workplace Fact Sheet (bit.ly/2UqkzYA). Requests for assistance can also be made by emailing dlt.covid19@dlt.ri.gov or calling (401) 462-2020.
  • The R.I. Department of Labor and Training and R.I. Department of Health have COVID-19 preparedness and response measures to support employers, employees, and nursing homes throughout the Ocean State.
  • The DLT has filed an emergency regulation, which expands access to Unemployment Insurance and Temporary Disability Insurance/Temporary Caregiver Insurance programs to serve Rhode Islanders impacted by COVID-19. The emergency regulations will:
      • Waive the seven-day waiting period for regular unemployment insurance claims and claims filed under the short-term compensation program (WorkShare).
      • Waive the seven-day minimum amount of time that claimants must be out of work to qualify for TDI/TCI benefits.
      • Waive the required medical certification for individuals under quarantine (and allow them, instead, to temporarily qualify via self-attestation that they were under quarantine as a result of COVID-19).
  • East Providence has launched two emergency loan programs: 
      • The COVID-19 Job Retention Loan Program will be reviewed by the Community Development Office in amounts up to $5,000. The terms include: zero percent interest, three-year terms, collateral sufficient to cover the loan amount, repayment beginning after six months. Only one loan may be taken out by a business at a time and the funds are conditioned on negotiation of an appropriate legal agreement between the applicant and the city.
      • The city also launched the COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Program. It will be reviewed for approval or rejection by the city’s Economic Development Commission. It applies to businesses that have 10 or fewer employees, which are located in the city and which have had revenue negatively impacted by the pandemic. Loan amounts will range from $1,000 to $5,000 and carry a 2% interest rate, with varying terms of 12 to 36 months for repayment. Repayment will begin after a six-month deferment.
  • Pawtucket has launched an emergency loan program:
      • The COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program was created by the Pawtucket Business Development Corp. It is open to Pawtucket-based businesses with 25 or fewer employees that can demonstrate a loss due to COVID-19. The loan may be used to pay for day-to-day operations, including payroll and rent. The emergency loans can be up to $10,000 each and carry a 2% interest rate. Monthly payments will be deferred for one year and the recipient will have two years to repay the loan once repayment begins.
  • Providence has altered its Providence Business Loan Fund:
      • The city has altered the PBLF to accommodate COVID-19 impacts, including decreasing the minimum amount of the loan from $50,000 to $10,000, though the $500,000 maximum remains; offering zero interest for the first 12 months, a 6-to-12-month deferral on any payments and closing costs capped at $500.
      • The loan fund typically must help support creation of one, new $35,000 job, however retaining employees at their existing pay will also be supported.
      • Pre-applications may be found here.
  • R.I. Superior Court program:
      • The Superior Court Business Recovery Plan program has been launched to provide supervised protections for Rhode Island businesses so they can remain operational, access new working capital, and pay debts. More information may be found here.

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