To provide additional assistance to small businesses, The Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits and Venues Act (Economic Aid Act or Act), signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020 as a part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, made additional funds available under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and expanded eligibility for PPP loans. The Act earmarked an additional $284 billion for additional PPP loans.