Archive of Federal Agency COVID-19 Notices that Terminated or Expired

This page was last updated on November 13, 2020 at 3:00 pm (EDT)

NOTE: This page includes links to links to notices and guidance from federal agencies related to COVID-19 that have expired or terminated. These links are provided for reference.

Department of Homeland Security


Enironmental Protection Agency


Department of Transportation

Small Business Administration Loans under CARES Act

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has two loan programs that may be of particular interest to ACA member: the SBA 7(a) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program. The PPP is designed to aid eligible small businesses with payroll and other eligible costs. The PPP offers loans that are up to 100% forgivable for borrowers that maintain employee headcount and wage levels and use loan proceeds primarily for payroll. The EIDL program presents an option for eligible small businesses to obtain longer-term loans with favorable borrowing terms. The EIDL program also offers limited advances to eligible businesses that do not need to be repaid.

Both the PPP and EIDL loan programs have undergone many significant changes over the course of the COVID-19 crisis. Further details on these loan programs are provided in ACA’s Memorandum – Small Business Administration Loans Under CARES Act.

For additional information about these loan programs, please refer to the following webpages:

ACA also intends to update this webpage regularly to reflect significant developments affecting these programs.

UPDATE (9/10/21):  On September 9, 2021, the SBA announced significant changes to the EIDL program, including an increase in the borrowing limit from $500,000 to $2 million, an option for a 24-month deferment, streamlined approval options for loans of $500,000 or less, and the option to use EIDL funds to pay down certain business debts. For more information, see the SBA’s Press Release No. 21-81.

UPDATE (8/4/21): On August 4, 2021, the SBA opened a streamlined forgiveness application portal for PPP borrowers who received loans of $150,000 or less. The portal is available only for loans provided by lenders that have opted to participate in SBA’s direct forgiveness program. For more information on PPP loan forgiveness, visit the SBA’s website here.

UPDATE (4/1/21): Beginning April 6, 2021, the SBA will increase the maximum loan amounts available through the EIDL program from six months of economic injury (capped at $150,000) up to 24 months of economic injury (capped at $500,000). Businesses that received an EIDL prior to April 6, 2021, will be contacted by the SBA via email with details about how to request a loan increase.

UPDATE (3/30/21): As a result of today’s enactment of the PPP Extension Act of 2021, the deadline for eligible businesses to apply for PPP loans has been effectively extended by two months to May 31, 2021. However, as May 31 is a federal holiday, many lending institutions may institute slightly earlier application deadlines. Similarly, existing funding for the PPP program may be exhausted well in advance of the May 31 deadline. Prospective applicants for first draw or second draw PPP loans are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible.

UPDATE (3/15/21): The SBA has extended the deferment period for the EIDL program and other disaster loans until 2022. For further details, please refer to the SBA’s memorandum announcing the changes.

UPDATE (2/22/21): The Treasury Department announced that, beginning February 24, 2021, it will institute a two-week freeze on accepting PPP applications from applicants with more than 20 employees. The move is designed to drive remaining PPP funding to very small businesses. The PPP is currently set to expire on March 31, 2021, and it is unclear whether the program will be extended beyond that date.

UPDATE (1/29/21): The SBA recently issued several guidance documents addressing the following issues: (i) a document explaining how second-time PPP borrowers should calculate revenue reduction and maximum loan amounts; (ii) a document explaining the calculation processes and documentation requirements for first-time PPP borrowers; (iii) a document explaining the processes and requirements for resubmitting loan forgiveness applications; and (iv) a document explaining the procedures a PPP borrowers should follow if its lender made an application error that resulted in the borrower receiving a loan amount greater than the maximum amount the borrower was entitled to receive by law.

UPDATE (10/12/20): On October 8, 2020, the SBA issued a new Interim Final Rule that greatly simplifies the rules and process by which PPP borrowers can receive forgiveness for loans of $50,000 or less. Such borrowers may be eligible for a streamlined “check the box” process for receiving full loan forgiveness.

UPDATE (10/7/20): On October 3, 2020, the SBA issued new procedural guidance to clarify the required procedures for changes of ownership of PPP borrowers.

UPDATE (9/8/20): On August 24, 2020, the SBA issued an Interim Final Rule relating to PPP loan forgiveness eligibility of owner-employee compensation and of certain rental payments and lease arrangements. On August 25, 2020, the SBA issued another Interim Final Rule, which establishes an administrative process for appealing certain SBA determinations of borrower ineligibility for PPP loan forgiveness.

UPDATE (8/13/20): On August 4, 2020, the SBA issued a PPP Loan Forgiveness FAQ, which it updated on August 11 to add three additional questions relevant to borrowers who received funds from both the PPP and the EIDL program. Also on August 11, the SBA expanded its prior PPP FAQ to add two additional questions relating to the treatment of agent fees and vision/dental benefits under the PPP. It also issued a new interim final rule on August 11 that establishes new procedures for borrowers to appeal a determination of ineligibility for PPP loan forgiveness.

UPDATE (8/5/20): On August 4, 2020, the SBA issued a new FAQ document on various loan forgiveness issues. The document is available here.

UPDATE (6/24/20): On June 10, 2020, the SBA issued revisions to its First Interim Final Rule relating to the PPP loan program, which are available here. The revisions largely update the SBA’s previous rules to incorporate changes made by the PPP Flexibility Act, but the revisions also include a significant interpretation that loosens loan forgiveness eligibility for those borrowers who use less than 60% of total loan proceeds for payroll costs. The SBA issued a new interim final rule on June 22, 2020 (available here), which primarily incorporates previously disclosed guidance but also provides new clarification on the rules applicable to early submission of loan forgiveness applications.

UPDATE (6/24/20): On June 15, 2020, the SBA withdrew the limits that had temporarily restricted EIDL loan and grant eligibility to only agricultural businesses. Eligible small businesses may once again apply for an EIDL loan and grant here. For the most up-to-date information on EIDL eligibility information, visit the SBA’s EIDL website here.

UPDATE (6/10/20): The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020 was enacted on June 5, 2020. The law notably provides greater flexibility for PPP loan recipients with regard to loan maturity and forgiveness eligibility. For a more detailed analysis of the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, please see this article.

UPDATE (5/26/20): On May 15, 2020, the SBA released its PPP loan forgiveness application (available here), which includes new guidance on loan forgiveness eligibility. For a discussion of the application and the accompanying guidance, see this article. On May 23, the SBA issued two interim final rules: a rule that addresses loan forgiveness and a second rule that addresses loan review procedures and borrower responsibilities.

UPDATE (4/28/20): The SBA has issued additional guidance that may narrow PPP eligibility for some applicants, especially public companies and companies that have access to other sources of liquidity. See question 31 in this document. For commentary on borrower considerations in light of the new PPP guidance, see this article.

Unemployment Benefits Under CARES Act

Pursuant to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, three unemployment assistance and insurance (UI) programs are being made available to eligible individuals: Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA).

Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC): From March 27, 2020 to July 31, 2020, all regular UI (including those who are receiving a partial unemployment benefit check) and PUA claimants will receive $600 per week in addition to their regular calculated benefit.

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): An additional 13-weeks of state UI benefits are provided once a claimant has exhausted all of their regular state UI benefits.  PEUC prohibits states from taking any action to decrease the maximum number of weeks of UI benefits or the weekly benefits that are available as of January 1, 2020.

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): Up to 39 weeks of emergency unemployment assistance is available to workers who are otherwise ineligible for state UI benefits or have exhausted their state UI benefits.  Workers who are eligible for PUA typically include self-employed workers, independent contractors, freelancers, workers seeking part-time work, and workers who do not have enough work history to qualify for state UI benefits.  The PUA program will expire on December 31, 2020, unless otherwise extended.

Applicants for PUA will need to self-certify that they are able to work and available for work, and that they are unemployed, partially employed, or unable or unavailable to work due to a COVID-19-related circumstance. PUA claimants are eligible to receive both PUC in addition to PUA.

Additional information pertaining to unemployment benefits under the CARES Act can be found at the following links:

UPDATE 12/27/20

The Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act of 2020 (CAUWA) extends and expands the unemployment programs under the CARES Act.

 CARES Act Unemployment Programs under the CAUWA

    • Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC): The CAUWA extends the PUC, however it reduces the supplemental weekly benefit by half. As a result, individuals who are unemployed and receiving any unemployment benefits will now be entitled to an additional $300 in benefits for each week of unemployment between December 26, 2020 and March 14, 2021.
    • Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): The CAUWA extends the additional unemployment benefits by 11 more weeks.  With the newest extension, eligible recipients in many states can now receive up to 50 weeks of benefits between state programs and PEUC.  These extended benefits are also available through March 14, 2021.  After March 14, 2021, new PEUC claimants will not be eligible for the extra weeks of benefits.
    • Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): The CAUWA extends PUA benefits until March 14, 2021. After March 14, 2021, new claimants will no longer be allowed to apply for PUA benefit.  However, eligible individuals who were receiving PUA benefits as of that date will continue to receive benefits until April 5, 2021.
    • Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC): The MEUC benefit will provide an additional $100 a week in unemployment benefits to those eligible workers who earn their income as a W-2 wage earner and self-employed individual.  In order to receive the additional $100 per week, an eligible worker must have earned at least $5,000 in self-employment income in the most recent tax year. However, the MEUC benefit is optional and subject to each state’s discretion whether to enroll in this program.