New guidance for Unemployment Insurance applicants, small businesses seeking financial support

Dear Neighbors,

The Minnesota Department of Health released the following information today about the status of COVID-19 in our state. Officials tell us that due to testing shortages, the number of positive cases are in reality much higher, making it all the more important to practice social distancing and other public health guidelines. Doing so will help to delay the pandemic’s peak in Minnesota, and will give our hospitals, clinics, and health care providers vital time to prepare for a surge in cases. 

Total positive: 576

Patients who no longer need to be isolated: 260

Deaths: 10

Total cases requiring hospitalization: 92

Hospitalized as of today: 56

Hospitalized in ICU as of today: 24

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of Minnesotans who have lost their lives, people who are hospitalized, and the brave men and women who are on the front lines providing care to everyone. 

If you have questions about Minnesota’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, my office is a resource that can help. Today, I’m sharing new information for small businesses and workers who are impacted by this public health crisis. Please send an email to rep.paul.marquart@house.mn or leave a voicemail at 1-800-551-5520, and I’ll return your message as soon as possible. 

Sincerely,

Paul Marquart

State Representative

Update about Unemployment Insurance application process 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota's Unemployment Insurance team members are processing more applications for unemployment benefits than ever before.

To ensure our system can handle the increased activity we are experiencing, the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is asking that *new* unemployment insurance applicants apply online on an assigned day, based on your social security number (SSN).

If you need to apply for unemployment benefits for the first time, please refer to the schedule below to learn when you are scheduled to apply. You will only be allowed to apply on your assigned day - or on Thursday or Friday if you missed your assigned day.

The table below lists the day and time to start an application based on the last digit of your SSN Example: A person with the SSN XXX-XX-XXX6 would apply on Wednesday.

Important Things to Know

The date of application will not affect the amount of benefits you will be paid.

If you already have a Unemployment Insurance account, you can still login anytime.

Please do not call the Unemployment Insurance office to ask about the status of your application. Your online account will be updated when more information is available.

If you have questions please visit the Need to Know page on the www.UIMN.org site.

Update about financial assistance for small businesses 

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is announcing the Minnesota Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, which was approved by the Minnesota Legislature last week. This temporary program, established in response to impacts of COVID-19, provides another option for financing to help small businesses weather this difficult time. DEED estimates that this $10 million will guarantee $20 million to $25 million in loans for Minnesota small businesses. The program will be open for up to 12 months from the declaration of the peacetime emergency under Executive Order 20-01 on March 13.

The loan guarantees can only leverage funds for Minnesota businesses with fewer than the equivalent of 250 employees, which includes the total of all employees at a parent company and at any additional locations. The program will provide an 80% guarantee up to a maximum of $200,000, therefore the maximum loan amount in the loan guarantee program would be $250,000. 

All loans will be made by lenders enrolled in the Minnesota Small Business Loan Guarantee Program. No loans will come directly from DEED. Eligible lenders include banks or other commercial lenders,  public entities, or private nonprofit economic development organizations whose headquarters are located in Minnesota. DEED is now accepting applications from lenders who would like to participate in the program at the lender tab on the Small business Loan Guarantee Program page of the DEED website.

If your business is seeking funding, please visit the business tab on the Small business Loan Guarantee Program page at the end of the week of March 30 to obtain contact information for enrolled lenders as it becomes available. Each lender will utilize their own established application and underwriting processes for loans. Please discuss the requirements with the lender that you choose.

Visit the COVID-19 Information for Employers and Businesses page for more resources related to business assistance, Unemployment Insurance and FAQs.