Paycheck Protection Program borrowers: If your loan is $150,000 or less, you may be eligible to apply for direct forgiveness through SBA using our online portal. Follow the steps below.

1. Find out if your lender is participating. 
2. Watch a video about how to use the portal.
3. Apply for forgiveness.

For additional information, visit the SBA website.

Dear California Voter,

If you have already returned your vote-by-mail ballot for California’s Recall Election, thank you for being a voter and helping keep your community safe!

If you haven’t returned your ballot yet, you have until September 14 to do so, but you don’t need to wait until then to vote. Returning your ballot now lets you skip the line and keep voting locations safe for those who need them on Election Day!

Your ballot asks whether or not you want to remove California Governor Gavin Newsom from office, and allows you to select a candidate who could replace him if a majority of California voters support the recall. You can choose yes or no on the recall, and still cast a vote for a replacement candidate.

You have multiple safe, secure, and reliable options for returning your ballot:

Mail – Your ballot includes a prepaid, first class postage return envelope that you can use to mail your ballot back – no stamp needed! To ensure your ballot arrives on time, we recommend you mail it as soon as possible. >> Click here to track your ballot >>

Official drop box – You can return your ballot at a secure ballot drop box available in your county. Make sure your ballot is deposited by 8:00 p.m. on September 14. >> Click here to find a ballot drop box >>

In-person – One or more voting locations will be open in many counties before Election Day for you to safely vote in-person, drop off your completed ballot, or get a replacement ballot. On Election Day, September 14, vote centers will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Returning your ballot before September 14 will help ensure safe physical distancing at vote centers. >> Click here to find a vote center >>

Please allow several days after returning your vote-by-mail ballot for your county elections office to process it.

Together, we can ensure a safe and secure election for everyone!

Yours sincerely,

California Secretary of State

As President Joe Biden signed the PPP Extension Act of 2021 into law today, extending the Paycheck Protection Program an additional two months to May 31, 2021, and then providing an additional 30-day period for the SBA to process applications that are still pending, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration, said:

“Today, President Biden sent another strong message to America’s more than 30 million small business owners negatively impacted by the pandemic: help is here. By signing the PPP Extension Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act into law, the President is providing additional critical relief to the smallest of the small businesses – the mom-and-pop shops that line our Main Streets and keep our local and regional economies going.

“The leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration, working with leaders of the House Small Business Committee, Chairwoman Nydia Velázquez, and Ranking Member Blaine Luetkemeyer, Reps. Carolyn Bourdeaux and Young Kim, and Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Chairman Ben Cardin, and Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Susan Collins, ensured a strong bipartisan vote to extend this critical relief to hard-hit small businesses. More than 8.2 million PPP loans have provided struggling small businesses with the relief they need to keep workers employed and make ends meets during this pandemic. The SBA remains dedicated to reaching the heart and soul of the nation’s urban, rural, and low-income communities – the smallest businesses – and removing barriers to access this vital relief.”

Learn more about PPP

The U.S. Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, announced on January 8, that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers. To promote access to capital, initially only community financial institutions will be able to make First Draw PPP Loans on Monday, January 11, and Second Draw PPP Loans on Wednesday, January 13. The PPP will open to all participating lenders shortly thereafter. Updated PPP guidance outlining Program changes to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility was released on January 6 in accordance with the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Non-Profits, and Venues Act.

This round of the PPP continues to prioritize millions of Americans employed by small businesses by authorizing up to $284 billion toward job retention and certain other expenses through March 31, 2021, and by allowing certain existing PPP borrowers to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan.

Learn more

Please join SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza on Monday, January 11 at 1:00 pm ET for a live webinar to announce the launch of Ascent. Ascent is a first-of-its-kind digital online learning platform geared to help women-owned small businesses grow and scale their existing business.  

With Ascent, female entrepreneurs will be able to utilize this platform that brings a modern, e-learning experience specifically targeted for women business owners.

Click here to register

This week, SBA announced that the deadline to apply for a COVID-19 pandemic Economic Injury Disaster Loan has been extended to December 31, 2021.

To date, SBA has approved $197 billion in low-interest loans, which provide U.S. small businesses, non-profits, and agricultural businesses working capital funds. Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications will continue to be accepted through December 2021, pending the availability of funds.

Loans are offered at affordable terms, including a 3.75% interest rate for small businesses and 2.75% for non-profit organizations, a 30-year maturity, and an automatic deferment of one year before monthly payments begin. All eligible small businesses and nonprofits are encouraged to apply.

Learn more and apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan

Cyber attacks are a growing concern for small businesses. Learn about the threats and how to protect yourself.

Read More

As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration and cosponsors will host all virtual events September 22-24, 2020. This year’s National Small Business Week activities will include numerous educational panels providing retooling and innovative practices for entrepreneurs as our nation’s small businesses look to pivot and recover, contributing to a stronger economy. The event will recognize the national award winners, including the naming of the National Small Business Person of the Year.

The National Small Business Week event schedule includes three days recognizing America’s outstanding entrepreneurs, shining a spotlight on the nation’s 30 million small businesses across the country.

We're celebrating the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to our Constitution which secured the right to vote for women and marking a monumental step toward the “more perfect Union” envisioned by our Founders. This milestone in American history was the product of the tireless efforts of suffragists and other advocates for women’s rights, who steadfastly pursued their vision of a more just and equal society. At the SBA, we advocate for and support women entrepreneurs and small business owners by providing resources to start, grow, expand or recover a business.

Learn more

Dear California Voter,

All California voters will be sent a vote-by-mail ballot with a prepaid postage return envelope for the November 3, 2020 General Election.

All voters can now get critical updates on their ballots through California’s official “Where’s My Ballot?” tracking tool. Signing up takes less than three minutes!

You can also copy this URL into your browser:  wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov

**If you have already signed up for "Where's My Ballot?" you do not need to take further action.**

What you’ll be able to track

You can select to receive notifications on the status of your vote-by-mail ballot by text (SMS), email, or voice call, including alerts if there are any issues with your ballot and instructions for how to correct them to make sure your vote is counted.

Don't miss out on the opportunity to track your ballot every step of the way!

Alex Padilla

California Secretary of State

Dear California Voter, 

Today marks 99 days until the General Election on November 3, 2020!

All California voters will be sent a vote-by-mail ballot with prepaid postage for the General Election.

To make sure you get your ballot, we are asking all California voters to double-check their voter registration at:

You can ensure a smooth voting experience by: Confirming your mailing address Signing up for ballot tracking notifications  For voters unable to take advantage of vote-by-mail, you can still visit your local polling place for safe in-person voting and same-day registration. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to have your ballot mailed directly to your home!   On behalf of the California Secretary of State’s Office, thank you!   P.S. Voting by mail helps protect your community by saving the polling place for those that need it. Double-check your voter registration today to ensure you receive your vote-by-mail ballot.

California Secretary of State | 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, California 95814 www.sos.ca.gov