Appeals Process Created for Business Impacted by Wolf Shutdown; Businesses Affected by COVID-19 Can Apply for Disaster Loans

State Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) is working to reduce the impact of Gov. Tom Wolf’s order on Thursday for all “non-life-sustaining” businesses to close.

Any company that believes it should be considered a “life-sustaining-business” can apply for a waiver at this email address: RA-dcexemption@pa.gov. Business owners can address questions about whether they need to close by emailing ra-dcedcs@pa.gov.

A list of business types that would be affected by this order is available at http://www.pasenategop.com/covid-19-resources.

Sen. Ward is also encouraging businesses and non-profits that have suffered economic losses during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak to consider applying for low-interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Loans are available through SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, which helps businesses that are unable to meet financial obligations and operating expenses during an emergency situation. Loan amounts are calculated based on the actual economic injury and a company’s financial needs.

Additional information is available by contacting SBA’s disaster assistance customer service center by calling (800) 659-2955 or e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.