SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) encourages businesses and residents in the underlisted California counties that sustained property damage or economic losses caused by the Mountain Fire in Ventura County that began Nov. 6, 2024, to apply for Physical Damage loans before the Jan. 28, 2025, deadline.
The disaster declaration includes Kern, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties in California.
Under this declaration, disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.
Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
“SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property, and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”
Building back smarter and stronger can be an effective recovery tool for future disasters. Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.
Californians are reminded that SBA’s EIDL program is available to eligible entities that experienced financial losses directly caused by the disaster. EIDLs provide working capital to address the economic impact of the disaster and are available even if the business did not incur physical damage. Loan proceeds may be used to cover fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other financial obligations that could have been met if the disaster had not occurred.
Interest rates can be as low as 4 % for businesses, 3.625 % for private nonprofit organizations and 2.563 % for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
SBA’s Disaster Loan Program funding was replenished via the American Relief Act, 2025, which was signed into law on Dec. 21, 2024. The SBA acted immediately and, within six hours of the Act being signed into law, issued more than 21,000 outstanding commitment letters (loan offers). The SBA will continue to issue new loan offers and ensure survivors quickly understand their loan options.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their loan applications promptly, prior to the deadline.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659‑2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
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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, 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.