THE PERSON WHO SHOT AND SURVIVED WAS A MINOR. BACK TO YOU. >>> TODAY I AM ANNOUNCING ADDITIONAL CHANGES TO THE PPP PROGRAM THAT WILL MAKE SURE WE LOOK FOR THE MOM AND POP BUSINESSES EVEN MORE THAN WE HAVE. >> Reporter: PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN UNVEILING NEW CHANGES TO PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM TODAY. HERE IS A LOOK AT THE UPDATES TO THE PROGRAM. STARTING WEDNESDAY, A TWO WEEK APPLICATION PERIOD BEGINS FOR BUSINESSES WITH FEWER THAN 20 EMPLOYEES. SELF EMPLOYED AND INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS CAN QUALIFY FOR MORE MONEY AND BUSINESS OWNERS WITH STUDENT LOAN DEFAULTS OR NONFRAUD RELATED CRIMINAL RECORDS WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR LOANS. LAURA SPOKE TO LOCAL MOM AND POP BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE HOPEFUL ABOUT THE NEW CHANGES. >> Reporter: IT IS CLEAR THAT EVERY PENNY COUNTS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TRYING TO SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC. MOM AND POP SHOPS IN THE TRIANGLE TELL ME THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM DID INCLUDE EVERYONE. THEY'RE HOPEFUL THAT THE CHANGE WILL BRING THEM BACK ON TOP. THE THEME OF THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN PIVOT, ADAPT, REPEAT FOR RESTAURANTS AND LOCAL SHOPS. >> WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY PATRONS AS WE WOULD LIKE. >> WE COULDN'T PREDICT WHAT WAS TO COME. >> Reporter: PPP LOANS BECAME CRITICAL. >> ONE OF THE BIG FRUSTRATIONS WITH THE FIRST ROUND IS IT SEEMED LIKE BIG BUSINESSES GOT THE MONEY UP FRONT AND IT SHUT A LOT OF US OUT. >> Reporter: THE OWNER TELLS ME THE FUNDS SHE DID QUALIFY FOR ALLOWED HER TO KEEP EMPLOYEES ON PAYROLL AND PREPARE TO STAFF THE NEW LOCATION. >> FOR THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION TO BE FOCUSING ON TRUE SMALL BUSINESSES, I THINK OF 20 PEOPLE OR LESS, WHICH IS BULL CITY RUNNING COMPANY, THAT WILL GIVE A LOT OF US A LIFE LINE WE COULDN'T HAVE OTHERWISE. >> INVESTING MY OWN FUNDS INTO BUILDING A SALON, THE FUNDS WOULD HAVE HELPED. >> Reporter: NASH OWNS A NEW HAIR SALON AND WAS DISAPPOINTED SHE COULDN'T RECEIVE PPP THE FIRST OR SECOND GO AROUND. SHE'S THRILLED THE NEW REFORM ANNOUNCED TODAY GIVES SOLE PRIORITY TO INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS AND SELF EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS. >> IT'S A GREAT FEELING. IT'S BEEN A YEAR AND WE KIND OF HAVE BEEN INVISIBLE TO EVERYTHING GOING TO OTHER SMALL BUSINESSES. >> Reporter: BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S PROGRAM WILL SET ASIDE $1 BILLION FOR THE BUSINESSES. IT CREATES A 14 DAY WINDOW FOR LENDERS TO FOCUS EXCLUSIVELY ON THEIR NEED. THE APPLICATION PERIOD BEGINS WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 24. GO TO WRAL.COM OR THE WRAL NEWS