Notice: the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ended on May 31, 2021. Existing borrowers may be eligible for PPP loan forgiveness.

SBA also offers additional COVID-19 relief.

SBA Announces Opening of Paycheck Protection Program Direct Forgiveness Portal

The  U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is launching a streamlined application portal to allow borrowers with Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans $150,000 or less through participating lenders to apply for forgiveness directly through the SBA.     

This new change will help rush relief to over 6.5 million smallest of small businesses which has been the Administrator’s priority since day one. The new forgiveness platform will begin accepting applications from borrowers on August 4th, 2021.  Lenders are required to opt-in to this program. In addition to the technology platform, the SBA is setting up a PPP customer service team to answer questions and directly assist borrowers with their forgiveness applications.  Borrowers that need assistance or have questions should call (877) 552-2692, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. EST.

PPP Loan Forgiveness

First and Second Draw PPP Loans made to eligible borrowers qualify for full loan forgiveness if during the 8- to 24-week covered period following loan disbursement:

  • Employee and compensation levels are maintained
  • The loan proceeds are spent on payroll costs and other eligible expenses; and
  • At least 60 percent of the proceeds are spent on payroll costs

How and When to Apply?

A borrower can apply for forgiveness once all loan proceeds for which the borrower is requesting forgiveness have been used. Borrowers can apply for forgiveness any time up to the maturity date of the loan. If borrowers do not apply for forgiveness within 10 months after the last day of the covered period, then PPP loan payments are no longer deferred, and borrowers will begin making loan payments to their PPP lender.

Eligible Non-payroll Expenses:

  • Operations Expenditures – business software or cloud computing service that facilitates business operations, product or service delivery, the processing, payment, or tracking of payroll expenses, human resources, sales and billing functions, or accounting or tracking of supplies, inventory, records and expenses
  • Property Damage Costs – cost related to property damage and vandalism or looting due to public disturbances that occurred during 2020 that was not covered by insurance or other compensation
  • Supplier Costs – expenditure to a supplier for goods that—(A) are essential to business operations at the time at which the expenditure is made; and (B) is made pursuant to a contract, order, or purchase order—(i)at any time before the covered period; or (ii) with respect to perishable goods, in effect before or at any time during the covered period
  • Worker Protection Expenditure – an operating or capital expenditure to facilitate the adaptation of the business activities to comply with requirements established or guidance issued by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or any equivalent requirements established or guidance issued by a State or local government related to the maintenance of standards for sanitation, social distancing, or any other worker or customer safety requirement related to COVID–19, during the period beginning on March 1, 2020 and ending the date on which the national emergency expires
  • Business mortgage interest payments 
  • Business rent or lease payments
  • Business utility payments

Learn more about PPP Loan Forgiveness

Additional Guidance & Resources: