Get Help Preparing Your CA Relief Grant Application
The LA SBDC can assist small business owners applying for the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program
The State of California has launched a $500 million Grant Relief Program for small businesses. The LA SBDC has been designated as a partner to help small business owners prepare their application content.
Applications for Round 2 of the CA Relief Grant Program are now open and close at 6:00pm on February 8, 2021. Apply for the grant here.
PLEASE NOTE: This grant is not first-come, first-served. All applications received by the February 8 deadline will be reviewed for Round 2.
Are you having technical issues?
The grant application portal is administered by technical partner Lendistry . Please see below for video tutorials and technical application tips. For any technical issues with the application website not addressed here, contact Lendistry directly:
- (888) 612-4370
- CAreliefgrant@lendistry.com
Lendistry’s Customer Service Line Hours
- Tuesday – Friday 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM PST
- Saturday: 7 AM – 12 PM PST
Uploading Documents
There are three (3) required documents that must be uploaded. Once this is done, you will receive a confirmation they are completed – you application status will change from “pending” in red to “complete” in green.
Look for an Email from Lendistry
If you previously started your application, Lendistry will have sent you a new username, password and application links. Please check your junk mail and spam.
Passwords and Uploads
If you have started the application process and now cannot upload documents or get back into the system, please be sure to use the new password and the new link from the email that was sent to you by Lendistry. If that doesn’t work, contact Lendistry directly so they can help you reset your password or assist you with any upload issues.
Application Status Is “Pending”
If you have completed your application and your application status still displays as pending, it is likely that the banking information section has not been completed. This is okay. You do not have to submit your banking documents until you are selected as a grantee. Once you have completed your application, you will receive an e-mail from Lendistry confirm your application has been received for Round 2.
Document Is Too Large
If you receive a message that the document you are uploading is too large, compress the file to less than 15 megabytes, or cut the file into separate documents.
Note: The compression method works best.If you are using a .png or .jpg file, one method for compression is available here: https://tinypng.com/
Look for “Submit Application” or “Upload Documents.”
If it says “Submit Application”, you do not have an active application in the system and need to submit one.
If it says “Upload Documents”, your application has been submitted, but you may still need to upload the three (3) required documents. Note: You will need to fully complete the application before you can upload.
No Editing After Submission
This application is using a double-verification process and once your application is submitted it will be locked and you will not be able to edit your submission, as the do not want changes to occur if your application has already begun the review process.
For all other issues, call or e-mail Lendistry directly for assistance.
Technical Application Tips
- Enable pop-ups/disable any pop-up blockers
- Use the Chrome browser only
- Use a specific email address, not a general address like info@
- Scan your documents clearly and completely
For additional application tips, please visit https://careliefgrant.com/tips/
Video Tutorials
The LA SBDC Can Help You Prepare Your Application Content
The CA Relief Grant Program is funded by the State of California and the application and disbursement process is managed by Lendistry. The LA SBDC is not party to any decisions on who is eligible for or awarded grant funds.
Live Webinar
Do you need help preparing or understanding your application? Join the SBDC’s daily webinar to get the latest information on the CA Relief Grant and ask your questions live. Topics include eligibility and documentation requirements, what the funding can be used for, and how to fill out the application.
- – Monday, February 1
- – Tuesday, February 2
- – Wednesday, February 3
- – Thursday, February 4
- – Friday, February 5
- – Monday, February 8
Webinars occur daily at 11AM PST and are presented in English. For additional language options, click here.
There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.
Recorded Webinars
All of the SBDC CA Grant Relief webinars are recorded and available here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lsuzmmi7ahndsvl/AAAYQq5vxi_72R3dnJAzJ_Zaa
The above webinar is in English. For additional language options, click here.
One-on-One Advising
LA SBDC business advisors can assist our clients in compiling the documents and information needed to submit an application, including:
- How to calculate revenue
- Which documents to use
- Finding your NAICS code
- Describing your customer base
- Describing how you will use grant funds
- Determining underserved groups status
Preparing Your Application
Business Information You Will Need
In addition to supplying business documentation and meeting the eligibility criteria, you will be asked to provide the following information in your application:
- Is your business B2B, B2C or both?
- What type of business is it, including your NAICS Code?
- Is the business:
- Women-Owned
- Veteran-Owned
- Minority/POC-Owned
- What is the business owner’s:
- Disability status
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Is the business a franchise?
- Is the business located in a rural area?
- Gross revenue for business from April 1, 2020, through September 30th, 2020
- Purpose of grant (i.e., what the grant funds will be used for)
- Amount requested (Note: The grant amount you can request is based on your annual revenue. See chart here).
- Will this grant create new jobs?
- What is your annual revenue?
- # of Full-Time Employees
- # of Part-Time Employees
- # of Jobs Created
- # of Jobs Retained
Business Documents You Will Need
The documents you will need to complete your application are as follows:
- Application Certification: Download the PDF and electronically sign it or print it out, manually sign it and rescan
- Scanned copy of Business Financial Information in PDF or JPG format:
- A copy of the most recent tax return filed for your business (2019 or 2018) with a minimum gross annual revenue of no less than $1,000
- A copy of official filing of one of the following:
- Any government-issued business license (such as a child-care license, insurance agent license, etc.)
- Articles of Incorporation ( CA Secretary of State)
- Certificate of Organization
- Fictitious Name of Registration (Filed with LA County)
- Scanned copy of Government Issued Photo ID for applicant, such as a Driver’s License or Passport
Grant Application Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the program, businesses must meet the following criteria:
- Have a verifiable physical location in California
- Yearly gross revenue of less than $2.5 million, but at least $1,000
- In operation since at least June 1, 2019
- Currently open or have a clear plan to re-open pending health guidelines
- Impacted by COVID-19 and the health and safety restrictions
- Able to provide documents, including 2018 or 2019 tax returns, in electronic form for upload
- Able to provide acceptable form of government-issued photo ID
Additional Guidelines
- One complete application will qualify you to be considered for both rounds.
- Owners of multiple businesses, franchises, locations, etc. will be considered for only one grant and are required to apply for the business with the highest revenue.
For a complete list of eligibility requirements, visit https://careliefgrant.com/
Eligible Use of Funds
The grant is intended to be used for costs incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting health and safety restrictions. Some of the eligible uses include:
- All employee expenses
- Working capital, overhead, debt obligations incurred before March 1, 2020
- Costs associated with re-opening business operations
- Costs associated with complying with COVID-19 federal, state or local guidelines
- Any other COVID-19 related expenses not already covered through federal, state, county or city relief programs
For a complete list of eligible uses, visit https://careliefgrant.com/
Selection Criteria
This process is not first-come, first served. Some of the criteria by which funds will be awarded include:
- Businesses located in areas impacted the most by the effects of COVID-19
- Businesses impacted the most financially based on gross revenue losses
- Impacted industries including retail, food and hospitality, health and wellness, and personal care
- “Underserved small business groups” including women-owned, minority/person of color-owned, or veteran-owned businesses and businesses located in Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) and Rural communities
For a complete list of selection criteria, visit https://careliefgrant.com/
Language Alternatives
En Español
- Requisitos – http://bit.ly/cagrantrequisitos
- Cómo llenar la aplicación – http://bit.ly/cagrantaplicacion
- CA Grant cómo subir documentos: http://bit.ly/cagrantsubirdocs
Other Languages
Previous webinar recordings are available in other languages. Please note, these are previously recorded and some of the information may be out of date.
About the Grant
The State of California has launched a $500 million Grant Relief Program administered by the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.
Lendistry has been designated by the state to act as the intermediary for the Program to manage the application process and disburse the grant funds.
Grant Amounts
The amount of grant funding ranges from $5,000 to $25,000. Businesses are eligible based on their annual revenue as documented in their most recent tax return:
| Eligible Businesses Annual Revenue | Grant Amount Available Per Business |
| $1,000 to $100,000 | $5,000 |
| Greater than $100,000 up to $1,000,000 | $15,000 |
| Greater than $1,000,000 up to $2,500,000 | $25,000 |
Official Sites
California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program official website:
Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development official website:
