A $2 trillion stimulus package offers a lot of hope and help for floral industry professionals whose businesses have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic—it also raises a lot of questions. To help cut through the confusion, the Society of American Florists has added a Federal Aid guide to its COVID-19 resource center.
“We know that floral professionals are struggling to keep pace with the intricacies of these new programs, and that’s why we’ve created a page that answers some of the key questions we’ve heard directly from our members,” said Katie Butler, SAF’s senior vice president. “It’s a resource we’re constantly updating as we get new guidance and insight from experts and members of the floral community.”
The guide features a breakdown on the two available loans (the Economic Industry Disaster Loan and the Paycheck Protection Program), including what they provide, who is eligible, necessary documentation for banks and how to apply. In addition, you’ll find a number of frequently asked questions, such as:
- Are independent contractors eligible for the loans?
- Is this an urgent matter lest banks run out of loan money?
- Is there a benefit of applying for PPP if my staff is laid off and collecting unemployment?
- Do H-2A or H-2B workers on my payroll count towards my eligibility and total possible loan amount?
Learn these answers and more at safnow.org/covid-19-updates/federal-aid/.
Click here to access a wealth of information, including state and federal government resources, communication advice, tools to promote flower buying and best practices addressed in SAF’s COVID-19 webinar series.
Katie Hendrick Vincent is the senior contributing writer and editor for Floral Management magazine.
