Government agencies lend a helping hand to struggling businesses. Help is on the way.

Retailers large and small, battered by the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, are seeking assistance from all quarters to deal with mandated closures and stay-at-home orders, growing employee illnesses and reduced customer counts. Employees also are grasping for lifelines to deal with their own illness or that of a loved one.

Officials have rushed to the rescue. Federal, state and local governments are rolling out grants, offering low interest loans, funding sick pay, and beefing up unemployment insurance programs. Read more.