ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will have Customer Service Representatives available by appointment only at FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC)s in Puerto Rico to assist survivors with applying for disaster loans due to the earthquakes in Puerto Rico that began on Dec. 28, 2019. The SBA will contact survivors with approved loans to set appointments to close their loan.
The disaster declaration covers Adjuntas, Aguada, Añasco, Arecibo, Barceloneta, Cabo Rojo, Ciales, Coamo, Corozal, Guanica, Guayanilla, Hormigueros, Jayuya, Juana Díaz, Lajas, Lares, Las Marías, Maricao, Mayagüez, Moca, Morovis, Naranjito, Orocovis, Peñuelas, Ponce, Sabana Grande, Salinas, San Germán, San Sebastián, Santa Isabel, Utuado, Villalba and Yauco municipalities in Puerto Rico which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent municipalities are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Aguadilla, Aibonito, Barranquitas, Bayamón, Camuy, Cayey, Comerio, Florida, Guayama, Hatillo, Isabela, Manati, Quebradillas, Rincón, Toa Alto, Vega Alta and Vega Baja.
SBA will be present at all reopened FEMA DRCs in Puerto Rico and will abide by all FEMA COVID-19 protocols. In accordance with health precautions for the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the SBA will assist survivors by appointment only. Walk-ins are not accepted. To make an appointment to visit a Center and speak to a Customer Service Representative, call 404-823-8151916-953-9582.
These services are only available for the Puerto Rico disaster declaration as a result of the Earthquakes that began on Dec. 28, 2019 and not for COVID-19 related assistance.
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.
For more information, call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or send an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. For more information about SBA recovery assistance, visit sba.gov.
The filing deadline to submit applications for physical property damage is July 2, 2020. The deadline for economic injury applications is Oct. 16, 2020.
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