10 Things to Know about Second Draw PPP Loans as Updated for the Economic Aid Act and the ARP Act (Updated 5/5/2021)

On January 6, 2021, the Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) and the Department of Treasury released an Interim Final Rule called “Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection Second Draw Loans” (“Second Draw Rules”). These rules announced the implementation of section 311 of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act (the “Economic Aid Act”). The SBA also released an Interim Final Rule called “Business Loan Program Temporary Changes; Paycheck Protection Program as Amended by Economic Aid Act” (“Consolidated First Draw PPP IFR”). That rule restates existing regulatory provisions into a single regulation on borrower eligibility, lender eligibility, and loan application or origination requirement issues for new First Draw PPP Loans, as well as general rules relating to First Draw PPP Loan increases and loan forgiveness. Both rules take effect immediately. For more information on the Consolidated First Draw PPP IFR, see our article “What to Know about the Paycheck Protection Program, Round Two.”

On February 22, 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration and the SBA announced the taking of certain steps with the PPP to further promote equitable relief for smaller businesses. See “PPP: Changes by the Biden–Harris Administration” (February 23, 2021). On March 3, 2021, the SBA posted: (a) a revised Borrower Application Form and a revised Second Draw Borrower Application Form; (b) Borrower Application for Schedule C Filers Using Gross Income; (c) Second Draw Borrower Application Form for Schedule C Filers using Gross Income; (d) revised lender application form and a revised PPP second-draw lender application form; (e) Updated Frequently Asked Questions, including FAQ 57-63; and (e) Interim Final Rule on Loan Amount Calculating and Eligibility (“March 2021 IFR”). On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “ARP Act”) was enacted and certain eligibility changes were made to the Second Draw PPP Loan program and an additional $7.25 billion was added for PPP Loans. On March 12, 2021, the SBA updated the Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) and updated the documents on how to calculate maximum loan amounts. On March 18, 2021, the SBA posted an Interim Final Rule on Paycheck Protection Program as Amended by American Rescue Plan Act (“Eligibility IFR”) and posted updated borrower and lender application forms for First Draw and Second Draw PPP Loans. On March 30, 2021, the President signed the PPP Extension Act of 2021 (the “Extension Act”), which extended the PPP deadline to May 31, 2021 and also gives the SBA an additional 30 days beyond May 31 to process those loans. On April 6, 2021, the FAQs were further updated. This article includes those changes as they affect Second Draw PPP Loans.

On May 4, 2021, the SBA announced it would stop accepting new applications. See 1 Deadline and Fund Availability.

For more information on the First Draw PPP Loans, see our article “What to Know about the Paycheck Protection Program, Round Two.” For purposes of this article and the Second Draw Rules, first round Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) Loans are “First Draw PPP Loans” and second round loans are “Second Draw PPP Loans.” Since the issuance of the Second Draw Rules, the SBA in consultation with the Department of the Treasury has released further guidance and forms.

This article summarizes 10 key items relating to the Second Draw PPP Loans:

  1. Deadline and Fund Availability
  2. In General
  3. Eligibility Requirements
  4. Affiliation
  5. Excluded Entities
  6. Maximum Loan Amount; Payroll Cost Calculations, Use of Funds
  7. Second Draw PPP Loan Application, Documentation Requirements, and Certifications
  8. Safe Harbor for Certifications Concerning Need for a Second Draw PPP Loan
  9. Loans to Borrowers with Unresolved First Draw PPP Loans
  10. Loan Forgiveness

1. Deadline and Fund Availability and Some Lender Requirements:

Under the Extension Act, the last day for lenders to submit applications for Second Draw PPP Loans is May 31, 2021, and, the SBA will have an additional 30 days to process the applications submitted before June 1, 2021. On May 4, 2021, the SBA informed lenders that the SBA would stop accepting new PPP applications because it was basically out of funds. The remaining funds available for new applications are $8 billion set aside for community financial institutions and a $6 billion set aside for PPP applications still in review status or needing more information due to error codes. The SBA reported on May 2, 2021 that it had approved about $258 billion from the program’s reopening on January 11 through May 2.

Borrowers should contact their lenders to learn when those lenders will begin accepting applications for Second Draw PPP Loans. Eligible lenders are SBA 7(a) lenders and any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union, eligible non-bank lender, or Farm Credit System institution that is participating in the Paycheck Protection Program. On January 8, 2021, the SBA announced that to promote access for smaller lenders and their customers, the SBA will initially only accept Second Draw PPP Loan applications from community financial institutions starting on January 13, 2021. On January 13, 2021, the SBA announced that it would open its portal to PPP-eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets for Second Draw PPP Loan applications on Friday, January 15, 2021 and the portal will fully open on January 19, 2021 to all participating PPP lenders to submit Second Draw PPP Loan applications. At least $25 billion is set aside for Second Draw PPP Loans to eligible borrowers with a maximum of 10 employees or for loans of $250,000 or less to eligible borrowers in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods. Given these priorities, some borrowers may have to wait. After borrowers who are given priority access Second Draw Loans, we expect availability will be on a first-come, first-served basis, and the funds may go faster now that forgiveness and tax rules are clearer.

Starting on February 24, 2021, businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees were given a 14-day exclusive application period.

It appears that some lenders are requiring PPP borrowers to apply for forgiveness on their First Draw PPP Loan before they file to seek a Second Draw PPP Loan. This is not a requirement of the SBA and the Department of Treasury. So, borrowers should discuss this requirement with their lender and if appropriate, consider other lenders that will process the Second Draw PPP Loan application without having to file for forgiveness on their first PPP loan. Please note that the SBA does require that the First Draw PPP Loan forgiveness application be submitted before or simultaneously with the loan forgiveness application for a Second Draw PPP Loan that is more than $150,000.

2. In General:

Second Draw PPP Loans are generally subject to the same terms, conditions, and requirements as First Draw PPP Loans. These include the following:

3. Eligibility Requirements: