COVID-19 Resources for Individuals and Businesses

This page was last updated on June 3, 2020

For Self-Employed | For Employers | For Employees | From the Office of the Governor | Other Information

For Self Employed Individuals

Maine Department of Labor

• The Maine DOL Bureau of Unemployment Compensation.
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Information
• Unemployment Information Related to COVID-19
• Unemployment Videos Related to COVID-19
• Information on Unemployment Eligibility, pdf file, 196 kb
• Federal Guidance on New Programs Related to COVID-1

Small Business Administration

• SBA Paycheck Protection Program  - The Small Business Administration resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 10:30am EDT
• Guidance to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)

• COVID-19 Relief Consumer Loan Program provides no- to low-interest consumer loans through a loan guarantee program involving Maine’s banks, credit unions, and FAME.

Maine Department of Health and Human Services

• Maine CDC COVID-19 Updates
• Accessing Assistance through Maine DHHS,
• Aging and Disability Services COVID-19 Resources
• Child and Family Services COVID-19 Resources
• MaineCare COVID-19 Resources

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• How to Protect Yourself
• What to Do if You're Sick

For Employers

Maine Department of Economic and Community Development Resources

On April 28, Governor Mills issued a plan for Restarting Maine's Economy, which includes a staged approach for re-opening businesses and identifies specific industries which are authorized to re-open during Stage 1, starting May 1, 2020. Industries approved include guided hunting, fishing, and boating operators, and marinas.

In order to open, individual businesses must commit to complying with a checklist of requirements developed for their industry by completing an online form.

• Approved industries fo re-opening, safety checklists for approved industries, and compliance form
• DECD’s Business Answers Phone Line:  1-800-872-3838
• DECD’s Business Answers Email Address:  business.answers@maine.gov

Small Business Administration

• SBA Paycheck Protection Program  - The Small Business Administration resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications from participating lenders on Monday, April 27, 2020 at 10:30am EDT
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans SBA is accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance applications on a limited basis only to provide relief to U.S. agricultural businesses. Agricultural businesses includes those businesses engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural related industries (as defined by section 18(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 647(b)).
• Small Business Administration’s Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Maine and US Departments of Labor

• Unemployment Information Related to COVID-19
• Unemployment Videos Related to COVID-19
• Information on Eligibility, pdf file, 196 kb
• Information from Maine DOL on unemployment, Maine leave laws and other issues - https://www.maine.gov/labor/covid19/
  
• FAQ’s from U.S. DOL about the Fair Labor Standards Act: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa/pandemic
  
• OSHA’s COVID-19 webpage, including links to interim guidance and other resources for preventing exposures to, and infection with, the novel coronavirus—now officially named COVID-19.: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/
• U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 (PDF).

Finance Authority of Maine

• COVID-19 Relief Interim SBA Finance Loan Program provides FAME Direct Loans of up to $100,000 with special terms available to eligible borrowers who provide proof of commitment for SBA financing. Eligible borrowers will provide proof of commitment for SBA financing with the intention the FAME loan would be originated for use to business owner until such time as SBA loan is funded. The SBA loan would then pay-off the FAME loan.
• COVID-19 Relief Business Direct Loan Program provides FAME Direct Loans of up to $50,000 with special terms available to Maine-based businesses experiencing interruption or hardship due to COVID-19.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Resources for businesses and employers from the U.S. CDC

US Chamber of Commerce

• Guidance for Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19

For Employees

Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)

• COVID-19 Relief Consumer Loan Program provides no- to low-interest consumer loans through a loan guarantee program involving Maine’s banks, credit unions, and FAME.

Maine and US Department of Labor

• Unemployment claims can be filed at https://reemployme.maine.gov/
• Unemployment question can be submitted online at https://www.maine.gov/labor/contact/index.html
• FAQ’s from U.S. DOL about the Fair Labor Standards Act: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa/pandemic

Maine Department of Health and Human Services

• Maine CDC COVID-19 Updates
• Accessing Assistance through Maine DHHS, pdf 446 kb
• Aging and Disability Services COVID-19 Resources
• Child and Family Services COVID-19 Resources
• MaineCare Services COVID-19 Resource

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• U.S. CDC Coronavirus Information

US Chamber of Commerce

• Workplace Tips for Employees

UD Department of Commerce

• Department of Commerce COVID-19 Information for Employees

COVID-19 Response Information and Resources from the Office of the Governor

• Information and Resources from the Office of the Governor
• May 29: Governor Mills has issued an executive order to continue the gradual easing of restrictions under the Restarting Maine's Economy plan.
• May 27: Restaurants in York, Cumberland and Androscoggin counties may open to outdoor dining service on June 1, but dine-in service is delayed. Dine-in and outdoor service is permitted in Penobscot County on June 1, joining counties previously permitted in the Rural Reopening Plan. Curbside and pickup service is permitted in all counties.
• May 26: TheMaine Department of Health and Human Services is expanding contact tracing of COVID-19 by adding skilled staff and volunteers, harnessing innovative technology, and securing social services to help people with COVID-19 maintain self-isolation.
• May 21: A $52.7 million grant from U.S. CDC will expand lab capacity and COVID-19 testing sites across Maine in the coming weeks and months.
• May 19: Private campgrounds may open to Maine residents on Friday, May 22; the opening of gyms and fitness centers, and nail salons, will be determined in June due to COVID-19 transmission concerns. 
• May 18: Maine CDC is now allowing health care providers in Maine to seek testing for anyone they suspect of having COVID-19.
• May 15: Maine lodging providers can begin accepting reservations for stays with an arrival date of June 1st and beyond for Maine residents and for non-residents who comply with the State’s 14-day quarantine requirement.

Other Information

• Coronavirus.gov — The primary portal for public information, curated by the Coronavirus Task Force at the White House, working in conjunction with Center for Disease Control, Health and Human Services, and other agency stakeholders. 
• What the U.S. Government is Doing — A catalogue of all U.S. government activities related to COVID-19.
• FDA Emergency Preparedness – COVID-19
• NFI – Seafood and Coronavirus
• USDA Inspection Services
• National Sea Grant Law Center COVID-19 Resources (including information on the CARES Act) 

This webpage will be updated regularly.

---