Biden Admin Announces <br />PPP Reform to Better <br />Help Small Businesses .<br />The changes, intended to help "minority-owned and <br />mom and pop businesses," were announced on Feb. 22.<br />Starting Feb. 24, only businesses with less than 20 employees will be able to apply for funding within a two-week period.<br />Bigger businesses will not be <br />allowed to apply during that time.<br />The first week of March will also <br />see some changes in eligibility rules.<br />Independent contractors, sole proprietors and the self-employed will now qualify for more money. .<br />The program will also be opened up to <br />people who were previously excluded, .<br />such as some non-citizen residents, small business <br />owners with non-fraud related felonies and those <br />who are delinquent on their student loans.<br />While the Paycheck Protection Program has delivered urgent relief to many businesses across the country, the initial round of PPP last year left too many minority-owned and mom and pop businesses out while larger, well connected businesses got funds quickly, Biden administration official, via CNN
