Apply for SBA Disaster Assistance Before the Sept. 24 Physical Damage Application Deadline for Severe Flooding

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 for physical damage before the Sept. 24 deadline.  Anyone in the declared counties in Maryland with damages caused by the severe flooding on May 27, 2018 should apply for the SBA disaster loan assistance.

The disaster declaration covers Baltimore City and Howard counties and the adjacent counties of Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Montgomery and Prince Georges in Maryland.

Businesses and nonprofits can apply for up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory, and other business assets.  Loans for working capital, known as Economic Injury Disaster Loans, are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. Homeowners can apply for up to $200,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged real estate.  Homeowners and renters can apply for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged personal property including automobiles.

Interest rates are as low as 3.61 percent for businesses, 2.5 percent for private nonprofit organizations, and 1.938 percent for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years.  The SBA determines loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s circumstances.

Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes.  Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by a similar disaster.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov.

Additional details on the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an e mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.  Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov.  Completed applications should be returned to a recovery center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to submit applications for physical property damage is Sept. 24, 2018. The deadline for economic injury applications is April 25, 2019.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. 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.

Release Date: Aug. 22, 2018

Release Number: 18-495, MD 15610/15611

Contact:
Michael Lampton
(404) 331-0333
Michael.Lampton@sba.gov