I applied in the first round and was awarded - what is the status of my payment?
- There is a slight delay in processing payments out for the awardees of the first round. - If you received an award notification, you will still receive your payment. - While we initially provided a timeframe of 2-4 weeks from receipt and approval of your payment information to receive your payment, please allow for an additional 2-4 weeks to process. - Mahalo for your patience.
I applied in the second round but uploaded the wrong document or want to update a file - how do I do this?
- Please wait until the reviewer assigned to your application emails you to request information. - Check the email address that you applied with (and check your spam folder). - You will have a 48-hour window to respond to the reviewer when they reach out for additional information.
What is the expected timeframe of review of my application?
- You can expect to receive communication from your reviewer within two weeks after they start reviewing your application. - You can also check your status by logging into Submittable: - “Received” means that no reviewer has been assigned - “In-progress” means that a reviewer has started your application.
Will there be more small business grants in the future?
There was a strong response from small businesses to OBR and we expect to award all of the available $3.5 million in grants.Subscribe to the Office of Economic Revitalization’s weekly small business newsletter for news about other grants and help for local companies.Visit OER’s website to sign up for the newsletter (scroll to the bottom of the page).
ELIGIBILITY:
If my company is receiving or has received CARES Act funding or other government grants, are we still eligible to apply?
Yes, provided you can still document net income loss of at least twenty five percent (25%) in 2020 OR 2021 when compared to net income reported in 2019 tax returns and meet all other eligibility criteria.
Are non-profit businesses eligible for this grant?
No. Only for-profit businesses are eligible.
Do home-based businesses and sole proprietors qualify for this grant?
Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. Sole proprietors will be required to submit alternative documentation for the DCCA requirements – click here to see a complete list of required documents.
How do I calculate if I am eligible with the 25% loss of net income
Please click here to view the formula and download the Net Income Calculation Form to calculate eligibility with your 2019, 2020, and 2021 income statements. Instructions on the form will guide you to finding the appropriate lines in your tax returns to enter into the form.
My business has operations here and on the mainland. Can I still apply?
Yes. A business that has operations on Oahu may apply so long as it meets other eligibility requirements.. For eligibility requirements, please click here.
Does a business need to own real property in Honolulu to be eligible?
A business does not need to own property to be eligible. The business only needs to operate in the City & County of Honolulu (to be documented by submitting Hawaii General Excise form G-49).
If the business owner commutes back and forth from Hawaii and another location, is the business still eligible to apply?
Yes, so long as the business owner is a Hawaii resident and all other eligibility requirements are met.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
How do I apply?
You can apply by visiting OahuBizGrant.org. The application portal will open on May 15, 2023, 8:00 AM HST. Only applications submitted through the portal are accepted. No applications may be mailed in.
If I applied the first time the portal opened, can I apply again for this round?
Applications that were not previously approved for the Oahu Business Recovery Grant are eligible to apply again for this second round. Applicants must complete the process again through the reopened portal; they cannot access their old application and everything has to be uploaded through a new application.
Can I save and retrieve my application for completion at a later date?
Yes, as long as you followed the process for saving your application for retrieval later.
What if I’ve already submitted my application and forgot to include a required document? Do I create another application or can I add to my existing application?
Only one application submission per business is permitted. Please review your application and required documents carefully before submitting. We will address additional information to your application on an exception basis. Please know that this will slow the process for your application and that grant funds could be fully expended during this time. We strongly recommend that you have all of your required documents before you start the application process as your application process can’t be completed and payment made until all required documents are received. There will be only one grant disbursement made per company. Please email oahubizgrant@cochawaii.org to request any additions to your application.
Who can I contact if I’m having technical issues (e.g., difficulty logging on, elements on the applicant aren’t functioning properly)?
We expect applications to be processed and completed within 1-2 weeks of the start of review of your application. Timing may vary depending upon completeness of the application and responsiveness of the applicant to inquiries by the reviewer.
If I have questions about the status of my application, who do I contact?
Please log in to Submittable to check the status of your application.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
What documents do I need to apply?
Please click here to view a list of required documents.
Are there file size restrictions for all of the documents that need to be uploaded?
Yes – the maximum file size for a single upload is 400 MB. The maximum submission size for an application is 800 MB (total files submitted with one application must not exceed 800 MB).
What specific documents are acceptable to prove federal aid and the period it covers (loan documents, grant confirmation letter or affidavit)?
Any documentation that shows the grant amount and the period it covers is acceptable. For example: award letter or forgiveness approval letter, check copies, bank statements, etc. 1099 forms are also accepted.
As a sole proprietorship, we are not required to register with DCCA. What documents can be submitted in lieu of the DCCA Business Registration printout and COGS?
For sole proprietorships, a copy of the General Excise (GE) license may be submitted in lieu of the DCCA Business Registration printout. In lieu of the COGS, a copy of the Schedule C from IRS Form 1040 (for 2021) may be submitted.
On the Net Income Calculation Form, are the forgiven loans applied to the year it was forgiven or the year it was received?
Please apply the forgiven amounts to the year that it was forgiven.
GRANTS:
Does anything need to be repaid?
No, these grants do not need to be repaid. The program will issue 1099 forms to all approved applicants. Under current IRS guidance these funds are fully taxable, and as such, all expenses covered under the grant are fully deductible. 1099-MISCs are being generated by tax1099.com. If you elected to receive a copy via email, you will receive instructions from tax1099.com to open the 1099 attachment. Depending on your personal spam filter settings, your eForms might be directed to your junk folder rather than the Inbox. Please check in both places..
How will I be contacted or know if I will receive a grant?
When and how will the grants be awarded and disbursed?
Grant funds will be paid out by ACH (automatic deposits) in the order applications are received and approved as eligible for payment until all grant funds are exhausted. Once approved, you will receive an email with a link to add your bank account number and routing information to the application. You can anticipate receiving funds by ACH within 2-4 weeks after we receive your banking information.
When is the last day any grants will be paid out?
Grant funds will be paid out in the order applications are received and approved as eligible for payment until all grant funds are exhausted.
What if I’ve already submitted my application and funds run out before I receive my grant?
Funds are available on a first come, first served basis until they run out. No application is guaranteed funding.
