Return SBA Loan Application To Expedite Disaster Assistance 

Release Date: December 29, 2008
Release Number: 1809-034

» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms, Flooding, and a Tornado

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Disaster applicants who have received a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan application should take the time to fill it out - even if they do not want a loan.

Failure to fill out the SBA disaster loan application can put those impacted by the September floods at risk of stopping the disaster assistance process in its tracks.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), when an applicant is referred to the SBA, a loan application has to be completed before some types of federal aid options can be considered.

Filling out an SBA application does not guarantee that an applicant will be approved for a loan, nor does it mean they must accept a loan if they are approved. However, if a home loan application is declined, their case will be referred back to FEMA's grant programs.

FEMA disaster assistance covers only basic needs and will not normally compensate you for your entire loss. If you have insurance, the disaster assistance may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate.  Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

The SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) for small businesses to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. Interest rates are as low as 2.875 percent for homeowners and renters, and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based upon each applicant's financial condition.

Anyone who has registered with FEMA can obtain an application by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or 800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Central Standard Time).  Business loan applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be returned to the center or mailed to the U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX, 76155.

Those affected by the severe storms, flooding and tornado during the period of Sept. 11-24 and have not yet registered for assistance, should call FEMA's toll-free registration number at 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA). Or, for the hearing- and speech-impaired, call TTY (800) 462-7585 and apply. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until further notice. Application for disaster assistance can also be made anytime by registering online at www.fema.gov.

SBA's disaster loans are the primary form of federal assistance for non-farm, private sector disaster losses. Disaster loans from SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and nonprofit organizations fund repair and replacement of disaster damaged real and personal property.  These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 or visit online at www.sba.gov or email SBA's customer service center at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Monday, 29-Dec-2008 16:44:31