SBA Disaster Loans

After a disaster is declared by the president, the Small Business Administration (SBA) to offer low-interest loans to affected homeowners, renters, and businesses. These loans help with costs that aren’t fully covered by your insurance or other disaster funds. You can apply for an SBA disaster loan by going through their website: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance

It is important to apply immediately, as there are time limits. Do not wait for your insurance claim to come back.

Eligibility

Businesses of all sizes, landlords, individual homeowners and renters, nonprofits, agricultural cooperatives, and homeowner/condo associations are all welcome to apply. Even though these loans are administered by the SBA, you do not have to be a business in order to apply.

Coverage

The amount of coverage available depends on who is applying and what they are applying for. Some general amounts are:

Homeowners seeking home repair or replacement: up to $500,000
Homeowners and renters seeking to replace damaged property: up to $100,000
Businesses repairing physical damages: up to $2,000,000
Small businesses and nonprofits for property damaged or economic injury: up to $2,000,000

For businesses, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EDILs) if they have “substantial economic injury”, which means that they can’t meet their normal obligations like paying operating expenses. These help businesses survive until normal operations resume. A business can qualify for both an EIDL and a physical disaster loan, both of which are distributed by the SBA.

Terms

The SBA typically offers loan terms of up to 30 years. The first payment is deferred for 12 months and no interest is accrued for the first 12 months.

For applicants unable to obtain credit elsewhere:

The interest rate will not exceed 4%

For applicants who can obtain credit elsewhere:

The interest rate will not exceed 8%

Need Help Managing Your Loan?

We've prepped a guide on Managing An SBA Disaster Loan just for you!