COVID-19 UPDATE

Paycheck Protection Program

Provider Relief Opportunities from Small Business Administration (SBA) Remain Available

In response to COVID-19, Congress passed multiple pieces of legislation to help support the American economy. Several of these programs are administered through the Small Business Administration (SBA) and doctors of optometry who have not yet leveraged these opportunities should know that they still have time to do so. For those already taking part in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), its critical to be aware of key changes made recently by Congress and the SBA.

Paycheck Protection Program Webinar

Join the AOA for the next #AskAOA Webinar on the Paycheck Protection Program on June 30

• AOA will hold its latest webinar on new PPP flexibilities and updated forgiveness forms on June 30 at 6pm Pacific. Register here to learn the latest from Dr. Jeff Michaels.
• For those who have not yet applied, forgivable loans remain available via the PPP.
• Applications must be submitted by June 30, 2020.
• Contact your bank for assistance, or find a lender here.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance Program

• Small businesses may request an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance of up to $10,000. The EIDL Advance is designed to provide emergency economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing a temporary loss of revenue.
• This advance will not have to be repaid, and small businesses may receive an advance even if they are not approved for an EIDL.
• Visit the EIDL and EIDL Advance program portal to apply.

Economic Injury Disaster Loan

• The SBA is offering low interest federal disaster loans to small businesses and non-profit organizations that are suffering substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19 in all U.S. states, Washington D.C., and territories.
• These loans may be used to pay debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cant be paid because of the disasters impact, and that are not already covered by a PPP loan. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.
• SBA offers loans with long repayment terms, up to a maximum of 30 years.
• The first payment is deferred for one year.
• Visit the EIDL and EIDL Advance program portal to apply

If you have questions, please contact askaoa@aoa.org.

Looking for PPE?

The NOA, along with the AOA and some of our industry partners, has put together a list of suppliers for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). You can find that list here. 

Visit our COVID-19 section for the latest updates and resources including PPE.

NEWS FEED

Public Health

Community Health Centers partnering with the National Association of Community Health Centers, the AOA is working to improve access to eye and vision care services.

Healthy Eyes Healthy Children Community Grants provide funding for activities which focus on increasing the outreach of vision services to communities, families, schools, and the medical community with special attention to underserved children.

InfantSEE affords one-time, comprehensive assessment at no cost for infants in their first year of life.

Optometry Cares mission is to expand eye health and vision care access to everyone in the U.S. to enhance human performance and quality of life.

Optometric Disaster Relief Fund offers optometrists financial assistance for damages incurred from natural disasters.