ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) encourages businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters to apply for a disaster loan before the Nov. 29 deadline.
Survivors in the following declared Florida counties, who incurred damage from Aug. 27 through Sep. 4 from Hurricane Idalia should apply for the physical damage program: Charlotte, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota, Suwannee, and Taylor.
As of today, SBA has approved over $69 million in disaster loans for Hurricane Idalia in Florida. Disaster survivors with insurance should not wait for their settlement before applying for physical damage. SBA will work with your insurance to reduce or repay the loan.
Applicants may apply online via SBA’s secure website at sba.gov/disasterand should apply under SBA declaration #18118.
To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register at DisasterAssistance.govor 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.
Disaster loan information and application forms can also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services) or sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road,
Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 29, 2023. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 31, 2024.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.