Skip to main content

Evans-Toomey Bipartisan HEAL Act Would Provide a Lifeline to Small Businesses Damaged During Civil Unrest

July 7, 2020

Philadelphia, Pa. – U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and U.S. Congressman Dwight Evans (D-Pa. 3rd) are launching a bicameral, bipartisan effort to help small businesses that were damaged or destroyed during recent nationwide incidents of civil unrest related to the death of George Floyd.

The Toomey-Evans Helping Entrepreneurs Access Loans (HEAL) Act would provide 75 percent forgivable Physical Disaster Business Loans to small businesses that were destroyed or damaged between May 26 and July 1, 2020. The legislation would help numerous retailers, restauranteurs, and other small establishments in Philadelphia, Minneapolis, New York City, and elsewhere.

"Peaceful protests have affected momentous change throughout our nation's history. Looting and destroying property is not protesting, it's a crime," said Senator Toomey. "Many of the businesses destroyed at the end of May in Philadelphia and other cities across America were already facing mounting difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bipartisan bill Congressman Evans and I are introducing will help small business pay for damage that is not covered by insurance."

"This bill would provide a lifeline to many small businesses in several Philadelphia neighborhoods – many of them minority-owned -- and communities across the country that were affected by the recent unrest," said Congressman Evans. "They should not be left behind. If they can't come back, their neighborhoods will also have a harder time coming back. And when two legislators with views as different as Senator Toomey and I can agree on legislation, it makes me optimistic about the prospects of getting this done for these small business owners, their employees and their neighborhoods."

View the text of the HEAL Act here.

Background:

The Heal Act would provide an $80 million appropriation for:

  • Partially forgivable loans and advance grants to small businesses damaged during recent civil unrest:
    • Loans of up to $2 million to repair or replace physical building and inventory damage that is not covered by insurance
    • Advance grants of 20 percent of requested loan amount or $10,000, whichever is less, within ten days of application
    • Businesses are eligible for 75 percent forgiveness if they are still in operation on December 31, 2021 and file documentation related to sales and taxes paid
  • Simple approval and fair loan terms:
    • Waives SBA's credit elsewhere, personal guarantee, and collateral requirements
    • Businesses cannot be denied a loan based solely on credit score
    • Application period open until December 31, 2020
    • Interest and payments are deferred until June 30, 2022
    • Loan amount not forgiven has 30-year term and interest rate of 3.75 percent
  • Assistance to truly small businesses impacted by recent civil unrest:
    • Businesses must be located in areas declared a disaster by SBA due to civil unrest that occurred between May 26 and July 1, 2020
    • Businesses must have average annual gross receipts of $2 million or less