Updated December 3, 2020

To help those adversely affected by the new lockdowns, governors recently allocated relief funds.

Washington

On November 20, Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced additional financial support funds for families and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The state is using $135 Million of existing Federal CARES Act funds to supply this additional support due to the additional lockdowns.

Included in that total is:

  • $70 million in business support grants
  • $30 million for the recovery loan program
  • $20 million for rental assistance
  • $15 million for energy bills for low-income households

Included in the $70 million in business support grants is $50 million for a new round of Working Washington grants focused on the hardest-hit industries. The remaining funds will go toward historically disadvantaged businesses who applied for earlier business grants and bolstering Commerce’s business resiliency network.

The grants will be allocated first to businesses most impacted by both COVID-19 and the most recent measures taken to address public safety. Equity will also be a priority in making allocation decisions.

Details will be posted at the Washington State Department of Commerce under Grants and Loans once they are ready to accept applications. The deadline for these applications are December 11, 2020.

In addition to these new funds, there are also separate business support programs coming from local governments. Information on additional relief funding by county is available on the County Business Resources page.

Oregon

On November 17, the Oregon Legislative Emergency Board approved more than $128 Million in relief funds for a variety of needs.

These include the following:

  • $45 million for Childcare Provider Assistance
  • $35 million for the Oregon Community Foundation to support the homeless including potential operation of hotel and motel properties to be used as emergency shelters
  • $20 million for a third grant to the Oregon Community Foundation for the Oregon Worker Relief Fund, which will make additional payments to workers who are ineligible for wage replacement payments from traditional unemployment insurance programs
  • $20 million for small businesses economically impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
  • $5 million to help cover long term care provider costs for routine COVID-19 staff testing
  • $2.4 million for one-time COVID-19 baseline testing of long term care facility staff and residents
  • $1 million to support victims of domestic and sexual violence

In addition, Oregon House Speaker, Tina Kotek, is calling for a special session to allocate additional funds for those with further needs.