The Government of Canada has launched the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) to provide pandemic support loans for all Canadian businesses, largely for highly affected sectors such as hospitality and tourism. HASCAP government funding supports all businesses that have experienced a substantial decrease in revenues by at least 50% because of COVID-19.
Qualified small to medium-sized Canadian businesses can receive up to $25,000 to $1 million in HASCAP support loans, and larger organizations with multiple locations such as restaurants or hotels can receive up to $6.25 million in government funding.
Share on facebook
Share on linkedin
Share on whatsapp
Share on twitter
About HASCAP Loans for COVID-19 Business Support
Administered through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP) aims to offer financial assistance to Canadian businesses that have been hit hard by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Applicant Eligibility:
Based on the following eligibility criteria established by the Government of Canada, a primary financial institution will determine whether a business qualifies for HASCAP loans.
- An eligible business must be based in Canada, and have been financially stable and viable prior to the current economic situation.
- An eligible business must have received payments either from the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) or the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) by having demonstrated a minimum 50% revenue decline for at least three months (not necessarily consecutive) within an eight-month period prior to the date of the HASCAP Guarantee application.
- If an eligible business does not qualify for CEWS and CERS, but otherwise meets all HASCAP eligibility criteria, they must provide financial statements that reflect at least three months where their revenue decreased by a minimum 50% within the eight-month period prior to the date of the HASCAP Guarantee application.
Amount:
An eligible business can apply for a HASCAP loan for each legal entity they own, up to a maximum combined amount of $6.25 million (all legal entities combined).
- Up to $25,000 to $1 million in loans for a single, small to medium-sized business.
- Up to $6.25 million in loans for large organizations with multiple business locations.
Eligible Expenses:
HASCAP loans cannot be used to pay or refinance existing debts; the loan will be used exclusively to continue or resume operations by relief of payments relating to:
- Rent payments.
- Employee payroll.
- Utilities.
- Any additional costs deemed eligible to sustain business operations.
Timeline:
- The HASCAP Guarantee is available until June 30, 2021.
- From a 4% interest rate and a repayment term of up to 10 years.
- Up to a 12-month postponement of principal payments at the start of the loan.
STay up to date on the changing face of business
Other COVID-19 Government Funding Support Options
As we approach an entire year of living with a global pandemic, there have been dozens of government programs that have launched in support of the relief and recovery of Canadian businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions, lockdowns, and overall pandemic fatigue. To learn more about these government funding options offered to assist Canadian businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the Mentor Works COVID-19 Funding Page.
Author: Alena Barreca – As a Marketing Coordinator at Mentor Works, Alena helps Canadian business owners by creating educational content about government funding.
Mentor Works is a business support organization specializing in Canadian government funding. The Ontario-based business has helped hundreds of businesses build and execute their funding strategy through a mix of federal and provincial government grants, loans, and tax credits. Mentor Works offers free online resources, funding webinars, and news via their website at www.mentorworks.ca.
