Massage therapists across the country are finding themselves struggling to make ends meet. We’re all doing our best to navigate through a maze of information on how to cope with the challenges surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Below is a collection of resources available to assist massage therapists in getting through these coming weeks and months as smoothly as possible.
Unemployment Insurance Benefits
The CARES Act expanded unemployment insurance eligibility, opening up benefits to many massage therapists who would not have previously qualified for benefits.
You might qualify for unemployment insurance benefits if:
- Your employer permanently or temporarily laid you off due to coronavirus measures
- Your employer reduced your work hours due to coronavirus measures
- You are self-employed and have lost income due to coronavirus measures
- You’re quarantined and can’t work due to coronavirus
- You’re unable to work due to a risk of exposure to coronavirus
- You can’t work because you’re caring for a family member due to coronavirus
At this point, almost all massage therapists have been financially affected by the COVID-19 virus and may qualify for unemployment benefits. In addition to expanding the eligibility of workers, the CARES Act also increased the previous limits of unemployment benefits provided by each state.
The changes to new unemployment benefits:
- Added $600 to the weekly pay that states currently allow, until July 31, 2020
- Added 13 weeks of benefits for workers who are still unemployed after their state benefit period runs out
The frustration many massage therapists are experiencing at this point stems from the fact that their state’s unemployment insurance resources are extremely overwhelmed with the surge in applications. Websites are crashing and phone support comes with looong wait times. State agencies are also waiting to receive federal guidance about how these new provisions should be carried out.
Find Unemployment Benefits in Your State
Benefits For Employers & Self-Employed Therapists
This guide, which is provided by the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, provides information about the major programs and initiatives for small businesses that will soon be available from the Small Business Administration (SBA) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Below are some of the highlights that may be relevant to self-employed massage therapists and multi-therapist massage practices.
Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans
PPP loans provide capital to cover the cost of retaining employees and paying for some essential business expenses. These loans may be more attractive to larger companies with multiple massage therapists on staff.
- Max loan of 2.5x average monthly payroll
- Loan forgiveness of up to 8 weeks of payroll
- 6-12 months of deferred payments on unforgiven portions
- Sole proprietors and independent contractors are eligible
- Loan proceeds may be used for payroll costs, rent, utilities, and more.
- Find A Lender
- Apply Through Square
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) & Emergency Grants
Low-interest loans with the option of a quickly-available grant. Potentially better option for small companies and self-employed massage therapists, depending on the total amount of the grant offered.
- Attractive long-term, low-interest loan
- Optional grant available ($1,000 per employee, up to $10,000)
- Sole proprietors and independent contractors are eligible
- Loan proceeds may be used for payroll costs, rent, utilities, and more.
- Apply Online
“Save Small Business” Grants
The Save Small Business Fund is a grantmaking initiative offering short-term relief for small employers in the United States and its territories. Funded by corporate and philanthropic partners, the Save Small Business Fund is a collective effort to provide $5,000 grants to as many small employers as we can. We hope these supplemental funds will help you get through the next days and weeks.
To qualify you must:
- Employ between 3 and 20 people
- Be located in an economically vulnerable community
- Have been harmed financially by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Apply Now
Facebook Small Business Grants
Up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in more than 30 countries will be able to receive the Facebook grant. To be eligible to apply, you must:
- Be a for-profit company
- Have between 2 and 50 employees
- Have been in business for over a year
- Have experienced challenges from COVID-19
- Be in or near a location where Facebook operates
- Learn More
LISC Small Business Relief Grant
Awards will be made to qualified businesses, and eligibility is based on accurate and complete submission. All awardees will have to certify that they are promoting the best interests of the community and are negatively impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
- $5,000, $7,500, and $10,000 grants available
- Priority will be given especially to entrepreneurs of color, women- and veteran-owned businesses.
- Applications must be submitted by Tuesday, April 28 at 11:59PM EST.
- Learn More
- Apply
Small Business Tax Provisions
- Refundable payroll tax credit for businesses not enrolled in PPP loans.
- Deferral of payment of employer payroll taxes for businesses not enrolled in PPP loans
Counseling & Training
These resources, and the associations that represent them, will receive additional funds to expand their reach and better support small business owners with counseling and up-to-date information regarding COVID-19.
- Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are a national network of nearly 1,000 centers that are located at leading universities, colleges, state economic development agencies and private partners. They provide counseling and training to new and existing businesses.
- Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) offer one-on-one counseling, training, networking, workshops, technical assistance and mentoring to entrepreneurs on numerous business development topics. In addition to women, WBCs are mandated to serve the needs of underserved entrepreneurs, including low-income entrepreneurs.
- Minority Business Development Centers (MBDCs), which cater to minority businesses of all sizes, will receive funding to hire staff and provide programming to help their clients respond to COVID-19.
- Find Free Counseling & Low-cost Trainings
Business Vendors & Utilities
Spectrum Internet
- COVID-19 Update Page: “We won’t terminate service for 60 days for residential or small business customers who face difficult economic circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, we won’t charge late fees for those customers facing difficult economic circumstances related to the pandemic.”
- Seasonal Status – Temporarily put your account on hold, without the hassle of cancelling and then reinstalling service. Small fee applies.
Verizon Wireless