Small Business Administration Information

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low interest Federal Disaster Loans for Homeowners, Renters and Businesses of all sizes:

Interest rates can be as low as 2.5 percent for homeowners and renters,
4 percent for businesses, and 3 percent for private, nonprofit organizations,
with terms up to 30 years.
The first step to obtain disaster assistance is to register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
After you register with FEMA, most disaster victims will receive an SBA low-interest disaster loan application package in the mail – if you don’t submit your loan application paperwork to the SBA, you will not receive any additional Federal disaster assistance from SBA or FEMA
Throwing away your SBA loan application is like throwing away money
Even if you believe you can’t afford an SBA low-rate disaster loan, you should apply anyway – if SBA cannot help you, you will likely be referred back to FEMA to be considered for FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance grant program
There is no cost to apply or any obligation to accept an approved SBA loan
You do not need an appointment to visit any Disaster Recovery Center to talk face-to-face with an SBA Customer Service Representative
Even if you are insured and have not settled your claim with your insurance company, you should submit a loan application to SBA
You should apply even if you are insured – you may have a funding shortfall due to your:
- insurance policy deductible,
- insurance policy coverage limit,
- cost of debris removal,
- costs to comply with current building codes,
- cost of mitigative measures,
- cost to repair landscaping, etc.

Application Filing Deadline: Physical Damage: October 31, 2011

In addition to our disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses that suffered storm damage, SBA also offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to small businesses and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether or not the business or nonprofit suffered any property damage.

Disaster victims may apply for help by contacting SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659 2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877 8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.