Harrisburg, PA – The Shapiro Administration is reminding individuals that financial aid from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is available after devastating flooding on April 11-12, 2024.
The deadline to return disaster loan applications for physical damages is June 28, 2024. The deadline for businesses to apply for economic injury disaster loans (EIDL) is January 29, 2025.
Affected homeowners and renters in certain municipalities in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver and Washington counties are strongly encouraged to complete the SBA disaster loan application, as those who do not qualify for an SBA loan may later be eligible for other assistance such as the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program (DRAP). The deadline to apply for DRAP is August 1, 2024.
“The road to recovery is never easy or short," said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “This type of support can help ease the financial burden that people face after devastating flooding like what we saw in this region earlier this year."
The SBA's Disaster Loan program provides low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, private non-profits, and businesses located in disaster declared counties who sustained damages from flooding. The SBA can provide up to $500,000 for homeowners to replace or repair their primary residences and up to $100,000 for homeowners and renters to replace or repair personal property. Businesses and most private non-profits may apply for up to $2 million to cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance.
Additionally, small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private nonprofit organizations located in the declared disaster area that have suffered substantial economic injury may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).
The SBA offers long-term repayment options to keep payments affordable, with terms up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower's ability to repay. View details about the SBA's disaster declaration for the April 11-12, 2024, flooding here.
Applicants may obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov and referencing Pennsylvania Disaster Number PA-20003.
Alternatively, loan applications can be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster and completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.