Last week, Congress passed and the President signed the latest legislation to provide additional funding for Coronavirus relief programs, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act.
This legislation is now commonly known as “Phase 3.5” of legislative coronavirus stimulus and relief packages.
First, Phase 3.5 adds an additional $310 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). Low interest, forgivable loans available through the PPP were quickly exhausted when first made available.
Phase 3.5 also adds an additional $50 billion for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDLs”) and expands the scope of eligible businesses. EIDLs are now available to certain agricultural entities with less than 500 employees.
$75 billion is provided to support health care facilities to help offset additional costs and expenses due to the coronavirus. Finally, $25 billion is provided to support increased testing.