Disaster Assistance
Disaster assistance is money provided to individuals, families and businesses in an area whose property has been damaged or destroyed following a Presidential declared disaster; and whose losses are not covered by insurance. Loans may be available to businesses that have suffered an economic loss as a result of the disaster. Assistance is available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Farm Services Agency (FSA), and state governments.
FEMA Disaster Assistance
The first step for those requiring assistance following a disaster is to contact FEMA and apply for assistance. FEMA assistance includes money for housing and essential expenses, such as food and clothing; and critical personal expenses, such as medication..
Disaster and Economic Injury Loans
SBA and USDA provide low interest loans to businesses and individuals to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.
- Disaster Assistance Loans
If you are in a declared disaster area and are the victim of a disaster, you may be eligible for financial assistance - even if you don't own a business. - Economic Injury Loans
Money to assist small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and non-profit organizations recover from economic losses resulting from physical disaster or an agricultural production disaster. - Farm Emergency Loans
Emergency loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters, or quarantine. - Home and Property Disaster Loans
Physical disaster loans for permanent rebuilding and replacement of uninsured or underinsured disaster- damaged privately-owned real and/or personal property. - Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan
This loan program provides funds to eligible small businesses to meet its ordinary and necessary operating expenses that it could have met, but is unable to meet, because an essential employee was "called-up" to active duty in their role as a military reservist.
The Farm Service Agency also provides a disaster assistance guide for farmers and ranches for natural disaster losses, resulting from drought, flood, fire, freeze, tornadoes, pest infestation, and other calamities.
Employment Assistance
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Learn about financial assistance for self-employed individuals who have lost their job due to a federally declared disaster. - Midwest Flood Recovery Assistance
Info about National Emergency Grants for temporarily employing dislocated workers.
Tax Relief Assistance
- Federal Tax Relief for Individuals and Businesses
Tips and resources to help individuals and business located in federally declared disaster areas. - Disaster Losses Kit for Businesses
Tax info for claiming unreimbursed casualty losses on property that was destroyed by a natural disaster.
Learn about State Tax Relief programs in the State Emergency Guide