This was part of a series of articles that written in 2020-2021 to help Ohio cosmetologists navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Please note that we are not currently offering any free courses.
This article is for the recently unemployed Ohio hair stylist, cosmetologist, manicurist / nail tech, or salon worker affected by the Coronavirus pandemic that is also an independent contractor.
We are a Ohio cosmetology continuing education provider offering online courses for Ohio cosmetologists and nail techs. As a CE provider we do a lot of research into industry regulations. We thought we could put those research skills to use by helping Ohio cosmetologists, hair stylists, manicurists / nail techs and other salon workers understand what financial resources are available to them.
So we put together this article to point you to a unique grant that can replace some of the income you’ve lost.
We’re also offering the 2-HR Safety and Infection Control continuing education course for free to all Ohio cosmetologists and nail techs as a promotion for our site launch. Lastly, we’re offering 25% off promo codes for all our other courses — just visit our Ohio cosmetologist and manicurist continuing education course page and enter your email.
However the Coronavirus caught us by surprise so it’ll be a couple weeks before our courses are live. Enter your email on the cosmetologist online continuing education course page and we’ll notify you when we’ve launched and send you that promo code for 25% off any course.
Below is some info about the grant that may help you get some financial relief until things get back to normal – but first a quick disclaimer:
We are cosmetologists. We are not attorneys and are not providing legal advice. What follows is our own personal understanding of what resources are available and how they relate to salon workers. We do not guarantee that our understanding is accurate and we can’t promise that this information applies to your specific situation. Always visit the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services unemployment page for up-to-date unemployment information. Always see an attorney for legal advice.
CARES Act and Independent Contractors
According to this article from Forbes, the CARES act made independent contractors eligible for grants of $1,000. They are sometimes referred to as “advances” but are actually grants that you do not need to pay back.
The application process is simple form requesting an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) that gives you an advance even if the loan is not given. Another way to think about it is that you’re applying for a loan but it comes with a grant (money you don’t need to pay back) even if you don’t get the loan.
The money congress allocated for the EIDL’s ran out quickly and the Small Business Administration is no longer accepting applications. But HOLD ON!
More Money Added on 4/23/20
Congress approved $60 billion more for the EIDL program on 4/23/20 which means that hopefully the SBA will again start accepting applications.
You can check here to see if they’re started accepting applications again:
How toHow Unemployed Hair Stylists Working as Independent Contractors Might Fill Out the Form
Tips for independent contractors to fill out the form:
- First question, check the second box as you are applying as an independent contractor or sole proprietorship.
- Add your Social Security number if you are applying as an individual independent contractor.
- You can estimate gross revenues for the last 12 months based on what happened in 2019. Cost of goods sold means your expenses incurred as an independent contractor.
- Put your name for “Owner” and “100” percent owner.
- It will ask for the date the business was established – estimate if you don’t have the exact date, but make sure it was before January 31, 2020.
- Enter your bank account to which you want the grant money direct deposited. You need the name of your bank, the account number (the middle number at the bottom of your checks), and the routing number (the number at the bottom left of your checks).
- For your business phone number, put your cell number if you need to.
- Answer “no” to the ““Is your business owned by a business entity?”” if you are an individual owner.
- For your business name, just enter your individual name if you don’t have a business name.
- Check the box that says you want to apply for the $10,000 grant (although it will only be $1,000 for independent contractors).
How Long Until I Get the Money?
The first deposits took over a month to be issued. Check your bank account regularly because the SBA will directly deposit the grant money into your bank account without notifying you
Do I Need to Accept an Economic Injury Loan in Order to Get the Grant?
Nope you can take the grant and reject the loan.
Do I Have to Pay Back the Grant?
No you do not. It’s clear under the CARES act.
Thanks for Reading
We hope this information was helpful and that you and your loved ones are safe.
Remember that if you’d like discounted CE hours this year to enter your email on the cosmetologist online continuing education course page and we’ll notify you when we’ve launched and send you that promo code for 25% off any course.
— Liz and John