AS OF SEPTEMBER 2022

State Small Business Credit Initiative

Frequently Asked Questions

AS OF SEPTEMBER 2022

This document contains answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Department of 

Treasury State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). 

• For overall information about the program, including information on requesting funding, 

please see https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/small-business-programs/state-smallbusiness-credit-initiative-ssbci. 

• For general questions about SSBCI, please email ssbci_information@treasury.gov. 

Questions added 9/16/22: 1.1, 2.1-2.11, 3.1-3.11, 4.1-4.9, 5.1-5.2, 6.1-6.6, 7.1-7.2, 8.1-8.3

1. Individuals, Small Businesses, or Wrong Program

1.1. General Inquiries

If you are a business or a lending institution that is interested in participating in small 

business financing programs through the SSBCI, please go to http://treasury.gov/ssbci and 

click on the List of Proposed Programs and Contacts link to locate the State or Territorial 

contact in your area. 

You can find information on those programs on the Treasury.gov website at 

http://treasury.gov/Recovery. All other inquiries should be directed to the Public Affairs 

Office of the Treasury and any press inquiries should be directed to Press@Treasury.gov.

2. System Support

2.1. ID.me 

If you are having difficulty registering on ID.me, please refer to ID.me Contact Support 

for assistance. ID.me’s support website can be found at help.id.me.

2.2. What is ID.me? Why do I need to use ID.me?

ID.me is a technology partner to multiple Government Agencies and Healthcare Providers. 

It provides secure digital identity verification to those Government Agencies and 

Healthcare Providers to make sure that you are you – and not someone pretending to be

you – when you request access to online services. 

2.3. ID.me is asking for my personal information, but I’m trying to apply on behalf of 

my entity. Do I really have to provide ID.me with my personal information?

Because ID.me verifies your individual identity (and not your company or agency identity), 

you will need to provide some personal information during the ID.me verification process.

Please refer to help.id.me for more details on that process. 
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2.4. How long will it take me to register with ID.me?

If you have all the required documents, the process should take only a few minutes. 

2.5. What steps do I need to complete in ID.me?

You will need to verify your identity with ID.me. Please refer to help.id.me for more details 

on the verification process. 

2.6. SAM.gov

If you are having difficulty registering on SAM.gov, please refer to the Federal Service 

Desk for assistance with your SAM.gov account. Their website is fsd.gov and you can 

also call them at 866-606-8220 from 8am - 8pm EST. 

2.7. Why do I need to sign up at SAM.gov?

Registration with SAM.gov is required for any Entity that wants to do business with the 

federal government. SAM validates information and electronically shares the secure and 

encrypted data with the federal agencies' Finance Offices to facilitate paperless payments 

through Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). 

2.8. What steps do I need to complete in SAM.gov?

We recommend you review their webpage for full instructions. Please note that SAM.gov 

registration can take up to three weeks; delay in registering in SAM.gov could impact 

timely payment of funds. 

2.9. How long will it take me to register with SAM.gov? 

Please note that SAM registration can take up to three weeks; delay in registering in 

SAM.gov could impact timely payment of funds. Please refer to SAM.gov for further 

information.

2.10. I’m having issues with my SAM.gov account.

Please refer to the Federal Service Desk for assistance with your SAM.gov account. Their 

website is fsd.gov and you can also call them at 866-606-8220 from 8am - 8pm EST. 

3. Treasury Portal 

3.1. How do I create an account?

To create a Treasury Portal user account, please navigate to Portal.Treasury.gov/cares.

Once there, you can click on Create an ID.me account and follow the instructions.

3.2. Why am I unable to log in? / How do I reset my password?

As a reminder, you must log in using the single sign on that you created using ID.me. To 

find the self-service options, please go to ID.me, select ‘My Account’, select ‘Sign In’ then 

select the ‘Forgot password’ link and follow the instructions.
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Also please make sure you are using a supported browser. The Treasury Portal supports 

most modern browsers including Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and an updated version 

of Safari. The Treasury Portal does not work well on Internet Explorer. 

3.3. How do I edit my individual account information? 

When logged into the Treasury Portal, click on the Avatar in the top right-hand corner of 

the screen. Select the ‘Settings’ link. That will bring up the Account Update screen. From 

there, you can make any appropriate edits then click Save. 

3.4. I’m trying to do something in the Treasury Portal and it’s not working. What do I 

do?

Please check your browser. The best browsers to use are Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome 

or an updated version of Safari.

3.5. DocuSign Required Fields

While on the DocuSign page and once all required fields have been completed, the Finish 

button will appear. If the Finish button is not appearing, it is due to one or more incomplete 

required fields. Use the Auto Navigation feature (yellow tab) to help you navigate. When 

the ‘Finish’ button becomes active, you can complete the signing.

3.6. Signature Adoption

The first time you click a SIGN or INITIAL field, you are asked to adopt a signature and 

initials. First, verify that your name and initials are correct. If not, you can change them as 

needed. If you would like to change your name or initials, type the changes in the Full 

Name and Initials fields. Indicate if you want to select a preformatted signature style or if 

you will draw your signature.

3.7. Email Issues

If you did not receive the email, it could be because it was blocked by your Email Server, 

Firewall, Email Provider or Email Client. Please check your junk email, confirm your 

email address with the sender and select to trust all emails from DocuSign. If the email is 

still not found, Users can trigger the email to be resent from within the Treasury Portal.

For further assistance, reach out to support.docusign.com. 

3.8. What is the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number? 

On April 4, 2022, the Federal Government transitioned from the DUNS number issued by 

Dun and Bradstreet to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). At that point, Entities doing 

business with the Federal Government must use a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number 

assigned in SAM.gov and will no longer use a third-party website to obtain their identifier 

number. 

Entities are able to manage organizational information, such as legal business name and 

physical address associated with a UEI number, directly from SAM.gov.
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3.9. What does the Change to UEI Number mean for Recipients?

No action is required if you have an existing and active registration in SAM.gov. If you 

are registered in SAM.gov, your UEI number has already been assigned and is viewable in 

your SAM.gov account. Your UEI number is located below the DUNS number on your 

Entity Registration Record. 

Please ensure your legacy DUNS number is accessible for historical reference where 

needed, as the DUNS number will no longer be visible to Users in SAM.gov after April 4,

2022. Similarly, Treasury will automatically populate your existing account records with 

the GSA-issued UEI number in the Treasury.gov Application and Compliance portal, as 

applicable.

3.10. Where can I get more information on the Transition to UEI Number?

Detailed questions about the conversion from DUNS number to UEI number should be 

directed to GSA by creating an incident ticket with the Federal Service Desk online at 

fsd.gov or by calling (866) 606-8220. Information about the UEI transition can be found 

by accessing GSA.gov and searching on ‘Unique Entity Identifier Update’. 

For further information on the transition to UEI Number, access SAM.gov. Look for the 

Register Your Entity or Get a Unique Entity ID section on the page then click Learn More 

to display detailed information about the DUNS to Unique Entity ID (UEI) transition. 

3.11. I have Subrecipients to report that have a DUNS, but no UEI. How do I report 

them?

All Recipients and Subrecipients can obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number on 

the Sam.gov website and register for an account if needed: 

• New SAM.gov registrants will be assigned a UEI number as part of their SAM 

registration.

• All existing Entities with an existing and active registration with SAM.gov will be 

assigned a UEI number that can be used for reporting activities.

For more information, please access the SAM.gov website.

4. Application Process

4.1. How do I apply for funds through the State Small Business Credit Initiative?

In late November 2021, Treasury launched an application portal for the State Small 

Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) at Portal.Treasury.gov/cares. Eligible Entities can 

either create an account (your identity will need to be verified through ID.me) or log in. 

From there, click the ‘Start an Application‘ button located on the top, right-hand corner of 

the page and follow the instructions. Tribal Governments interested in participating in 

SSBCI were required to submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to apply for SSBCI funds by 

December 11, 2021. 
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4.2. What information do I need to provide in order to receive the funding? 

You will need to provide all of the information listed in the Treasury Portal at 

Portal.Treasury.gov/cares. For more information, please visit Treasury.gov/SSBCI.

4.3. My entity does not have a UEI number. What do I do?

All Entities can obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number on the Sam.gov website 

and register for an account if needed:

• New SAM.gov registrants will be assigned a UEI number as part of their SAM 

registration. 

• All existing Entities with an existing and active registration with SAM.gov will be 

assigned a UEI number that can be used for reporting activities.

For more information, please access the SAM.gov website.

4.4. I am trying to fill out the application. Can you send me the form to fill out?

All applications must be submitted electronically through the Treasury Portal at 

Portal.Treasury.gov/cares.

4.5. Why isn’t the system accepting [x] information? 

System inputs must be in the proper format. Please verify that you are supplying the 

information in the correct format. Also please verify that you are using a supported 

browser. The Treasury Portal supports most modern browsers including Microsoft Edge, 

Google Chrome, and an updated version of Safari. The Treasury Portal does not work well 

on Internet Explorer. 

4.6. How do I check the status of my application? / What is the status of my 

application?

You can check the status of your application at any time by logging into the Treasury Portal 

at Portal.Treasury.gov/cares.

4.7. What is the turnaround time for reviewing an application?

There is no set turnaround time for reviewing applications. Treasury will review complete 

applications as quickly as possible, in the order in which they are received. 

4.8. What is the last day I can apply for the Capital Program? / 

Currently, non-Tribal applications must have been initiated by December 11, 2021 and 

completed by February 11, 2022 at 11:59pm ET (Eastern Time). 

Tribal Governments must initiate and submit their completed SSBCI capital program 

application by October 31, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Please reference the website at 

Treasury.gov/SSBCI for more information. Any changes to the application deadline will 

be posted on the website. 

4.9. What is the last day I can apply for the Technical Assistance Grant Program? / 
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States, the District of Columbia, and Territories must submit their completed SSBCI 

Technical Assistance (TA) Grant Program application by October 14, 2022 at 11:59 pm 

ET (Eastern Time).

Tribal Governments must submit their completed SSBCI TA Grant Program application 

by December 9, 2022 at 11:59 pm ET. 

Please reference the website at Treasury.gov/SSBCI for more information. Any changes 

to the application deadline will be posted on the website. 

5. Compliance Reporting Process

5.1. What reporting is required? / Am I required to report?

For the Capital Program, Quarterly and Annual Reporting will be required for Recipients 

of SSBCI funding: 

• Quarterly Reports – Each participating jurisdiction must submit to Treasury a 

quarterly report for the first full calendar quarter following the execution of its 

Allocation Agreement with Treasury and each quarter thereafter. Quarterly reports 

must be submitted within 30 days after the end of each quarterly reporting period 

(excluding the quarterly reporting period ending on the expiration date of the 

Allocation Agreement).

• Annual Reports – Starting in 2023, each participating jurisdiction must submit to 

Treasury an annual report for each calendar year by March 31 of the following year.

For more information on reporting, please refer to the Capital Program Reporting Guidance 

available on the program website at Treasury.gov/SSBCI. To access the reporting 

guidance, scroll down to the Program Rules and Materials section then click on Capital 

Program Reporting Guidance. 

When additional information becomes available, it will be posted on the program website 

at Treasury.gov/SSBCI.

5.2. Where do I submit reports?

For the Capital Program, Quarterly and Annual Reporting will be required for Recipients 

of SSBCI funding. When reporting begins, Entities will submit required reports to 

Treasury using an online portal that will be available at Treasury.gov/SSBCI. 

For more information on submitting reports for the Capital Program, please access the 

program website at Treasury.gov/SSBCI, scroll down to the Program Rules and Materials 

section then click on Capital Program Reporting Guidance.

When additional information becomes available, it will be posted on the program website 

at Treasury.gov/SSBCI.

6. Eligibility and Preliminary Allocations

6.1. What Entities are eligible for the Capital Program?
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Eligible Entities include States, the District of Columbia, Territories, and Tribal 

Governments. Tribal Governments interested in participating in SSBCI were required to 

submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to apply for SSBCI funds by December 11, 2021. For 

more information, visit the program website at Treasury.gov/SSBCI. 

6.2. What Entities are eligible for the Technical Assistance Grant Program?

Eligible Recipients under the Technical Assistance (TA) Grant Program are States, the 

District of Columbia and Territories that submitted a complete SSBCI Capital Program 

application by February 11, 2022; and Tribal Governments that submit a complete SSBCI 

Capital Program application by October 31, 2022. For more information, visit the program 

website at Treasury.gov/SSBCI. 

6.3. How much money have I been preliminarily allocated to receive?

For the Capital program, preliminary program allocations for states, territories, and the 

District of Columbia can be on the program’s website at Treasury.gov/SSBCI by scrolling 

down to the Program Rules and Materials section then clicking on the Allocations for States 

Territories Washington DC and Tribal Governments link. 

This document also contains the preliminary allocation methodology summary for Tribal 

governments. SSBCI will allocate at least $500 million to Tribal governments. Tribal 

governments may request allocation information by emailing 

ssbci_information@treasury.gov or by accessing the application portal.

For the TA Grant program, preliminary program allocations for states, territories, and the 

District of Columbia can be found on the program’s website at Treasury.gov/SSBCI by 

scrolling down to the Program Rules and Materials section then clicking on the Preliminary 

Technical Assistance Grant Program Allocation Table link. 

This document also contains the preliminary allocation methodology summary for Tribal 

governments. SSBCI will allocate at least $14.73 million to Tribal governments. 

For more information on allocations and allocation methodology, please visit the State 

Small Business Credit Initiative website at Treasury.gov/SSBCI.

6.4. Can I apply to receive more?

Preliminary allocations were determined in advance by Treasury. 

6.5. What was the allocation methodology for SSBCI?

For the Capital program, preliminary program allocations for states, territories, and the 

District of Columbia can be on the program’s website at Treasury.gov/SSBCI by scrolling 

down to the Program Rules and Materials section then clicking on the Allocations for States 

Territories Washington DC and Tribal Governments link. Further information on how 

these allocations were made can be found by accessing in the Capital Program Policy 

Guidelines on the same page.
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This document also contains the preliminary allocation methodology summary for Tribal 

governments. SSBCI will allocate at least $500 million to Tribal governments. 

For the TA Grant program, preliminary program allocations for states, territories, and the 

District of Columbia can be found on the program’s website at Treasury.gov/SSBCI by 

scrolling down to the Program Rules and Materials section then clicking on the Preliminary 

Technical Assistance Grant Program Allocation Table link. Further information on how 

these allocations were made can be found by accessing in the Technical Assistance Grant 

Program Guidelines on the same page. 

This document also contains the preliminary allocation methodology summary for Tribal 

governments. SSBCI will allocate at least $14.73 million to Tribal governments.

For more information on allocations and allocation methodology, please visit the State 

Small Business Credit Initiative website at Treasury.gov/SSBCI. 

7. Eligible Uses of funds

7.1. What are the eligible uses for these funds?

SSBCI provides Eligible Jurisdictions funding for:

• Small business financing programs, which includes Capital Access programs, Loan 

Participations, Loan Guarantees, Collateral Support, and Venture Equity programs 

• Technical Assistance to very small businesses and businesses owned and controlled 

by Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI) owned businesses 

applying for SSBCI and other government programs. 

For more information, visit the program website at Treasury.gov/SSBCI. 

7.2. How do I know if a specific use is eligible? 

For more information, please see the Capital Program Policy Guidelines and FAQs on the 

program website at Treasury.gov/SSBCI. Please scroll down to the Program Rules and 

Materials section to access these documents. 

8. Disbursement/Payment

8.1. How do I receive payment (Wire, ACH)? 

Entities receive payment to Fed ACH (Automated Clearing House) and Fedwire bank 

accounts. An ACH routing number is required. 

8.2. When will I receive payment?

Initial payments will occur sometime after the application is fully reviewed and approved 

and an allocation agreement is signed. A payment confirmation will be sent to the contact 

person and Authorized Representative, communicating the scheduled date of payment. It 

is their responsibility to notify financial personnel within their organization on their end of 

the incoming payment. 
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8.3. Is there a Webinar or Zoom call that I can attend? 

Information regarding webinars will be emailed to the points of contact and Authorized 

Representatives provided in the Notices of Intent. 
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APPENDIX I: Resources

Issue Resource

ID.me or login issues https://help.id.me

Treasury Portal https://portal.treasury.gov

Our Program Email ssbci_information@treasury.gov

Technical Issues coviditreliefsupport@treasury.gov

Program Webpage https://treasury.gov/ssbci

Other SSBCI FAQs Small Business Credit Initiative Frequently Asked Questions

SSBCI Fact Sheet (Updated

8/18/2021) SSBCI Fact Sheet

SSBCI Application 

Materials 

https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/smallbusinessprograms/state-small-business-credit-initiativessbci/2021-ssbci/program-materials/application-materials