HARRISBURG, PA — Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials are urging disaster relief applicants to complete and return the loan application forms from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Completing the loan application is a critical part of the disaster assistance process. It can keep the door open to all federal assistance, including possible additional grants, from FEMA.
Assistance from FEMA may not cover all damage or property loss. The SBA loan application, however, may make FEMA assistance available to replace essential household items, or replace or repair a damaged vehicle. It is critical that the SBA loan application be completed and returned before further FEMA assistance may be considered.
Many Pennsylvanians who register for disaster assistance through FEMA may receive an automated call from SBA with information on how to complete the loan application process. Completing and submitting the SBA loan application, even if you do not want a loan or think you may not qualify for one, is a required step in obtaining some forms of disaster assistance.
SBA provides low-interest loans to businesses of all sizes (including landlords) and to homeowners, renters and eligible private nonprofit organizations that sustained disaster damage or losses during the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began on August 31, 2021 to September 5, 2021. There is no cost to apply for a loan.
Storm-impacted homeowners, renters and businesses in the 8 designated counties may be eligible for federal assistance: Bedford, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and York Counties.
SBA has staff at all state and FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to assist businesses, non-profits, homeowners and renters in completing their loan applications. Additionally, SBA has opened SBA Business Recovery Centers (BRC) in the following locations.
- SBA Business Recovery Center, Philadelphia County
- Falls of the Schuylkill Library, 3501 Midvale Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19129
- Hours:
- Monday and Wednesday, noon – 8 p.m.
- Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Closed: Saturday and Sunday
- SBA Business Recovery Center, York County
- York County Economic Alliance, 144 Roosevelt Ave., York, PA 17401
- Hours:
- Monday –Thursday, 9:30 a.m.– 5 p.m.
- Friday, 9:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.
- Closed: Saturday and Sunday
- SBA Business Recovery Center, Chester County
- Chester County Economic Development Council, Eagleview Corporate Center
- 737 Constitution Dr., Exton, PA 19341
- Hours:
- Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Closed: Saturday and Sunday
SBA’s Business Recovery Centers are for all businesses and residents who suffered damage to meet with SBA representatives one-on-one, for answers to questions and help submitting loan applications.
Additional information on the disaster loan program may be obtained by calling SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov (link sends e-mail). Loan applications can be downloaded from www.sba.gov. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.