Microenterprise Recovery Grant Program

If you are not sure if your business is eligible or ineligible, please contact EWDD for assistance. Examples of ineligible business include, but are not limited to:

• Business/Owner that has previously received a grant award from this program
• Nonprofit organizations
• Businesses that were not in operation and were not located in the City of Los Angeles on or prior to March 1, 2020
• Rideshare/Food delivery businesses (ex: Uber, UberEats, Lyft, Doordash, etc.)
• Landlords/Schedule E Passive Income
• Businesses or companies held in trust
• Businesses that do not have a physical location using P.O. Boxes as a business address
• Businesses engaged in illegal activities, such as selling drug paraphernalia or operating a motel that permits illegal prostitution
• Cannabis businesses or businesses that support cannabis businesses
• Corporate-owned franchises
• Publicly traded companies
• Private social clubs that limit the number of memberships for reasons other than capacity
• Payday loan stores, pawnshops and other firms involved in lending activities
• Insurance companies, such as life, auto, home, bail bonds and other similar entities
• Astrology, palm reading, tarot, etc.
• Liquor stores and smoke shops
• Night clubs
• Adult bookstores
• Businesses and Sole proprietors that provide massage services
• Businesses that present live performances of a prurient sexual nature
• Gambling businesses (i.e., track waging facilities, casinos, bingo parlors)
• Trailer-storage yards and junkyards
• Gun or ammunition stores
• Multi-sales distribution
• Firms involved in speculative activities (i.e., day trading, stock market exchange facilitators)
• Dealers of rare coins and stamps
• Lobbying firms or businesses that dedicate 50% or more of their time or resources to lobbying activities
• Churches or other religious organizations
• Government offices or agencies
• Real Estate Agent

• The business must fall under an eligible business type/Industry. Please refer to the "INELIGIBLE BUSINESSES" tab to determine if your business is eligible.
   
• The business must be a for-profit business located within Los Angeles city limits. Home-based businesses are eligible if the owner is a Los Angeles resident; however, priority will be given to businesses operating from commercial locations.
   
• Annual revenue cannot exceed $1 million.
   
• The business must have an active Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC) with the City of Los Angeles that is current and in good standing.
   
• The business has been legally operating in the City of Los Angeles on or before March 1, 2020.
   
• The business must have five (5) or fewer W2 employees on their payroll, including the owner(s).
   
• The business must demonstrate that the grant funds will be used for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
   
• The business must disclose whether they have received funding from other federal, state, or local sources (including PPP and EIDL). Applicants who have received funding are still eligible, provided the funds are not currently being spent on the same expenses covered by the Microenterprise Grant.
   
• The business has not previously been awarded a grant through this program.
   
• If applicable, the business must be in good standing with the Secretary of State.
   
• Grant funds must help create or retain at least one job held by or made available to low and moderate-income persons, as defined by HUD.
  
  

  FY 2025 Low to Moderate Income Limits (80% AMI) by Family Size
  1-person	2-person	3-person	4-person	5-person	6-person	7-person	8-person
  $84,850	$96,950	$109,050	$121,150	$130,850	$140,550	$150,250	$159,950

• Payroll
• Rent or lease payments
• Utilities
• Insurance
• Payment of outstanding business expenses
• Adaptive business practices needed in response to the pandemic
• Technology and digital commerce expenses
• Marketing/communication, or other similar expenses

• Taxes (business, personal income, property, etc.)
• Construction and tenant improvements
• Business or Personal Credit Card Debt
• Judgements, Collections or Liens
• Personal use of any kind

• 2020 and 2024 tax returns
• Payroll tax form to verify microenterprise status
• Copy of government-issued identification such as a Driver's License or Passport
• Most recent Business bank statement (personal bank statement is not acceptable)

• Executed Grant Agreement
• Budget specifying the use of grant funds
• Completed and signed W-9 form
• Business Bank Information (ex: voided Business account check, wire instructions)
• Job retention forms

• Job creation forms
• Compliance certification