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The federal government regularly revises the details of these programs as the coronavirus outbreak affects more businesses. We’ll update this page as new details emerge in the world’s response to COVID-19.
The Small Business Administration disaster loan program is available to small businesses recovering from a natural disaster, or that have an employee who was called up for active military duty.
These low-interest loans are available based on the impact the disaster had on your business. But you might not qualify for a FEMA grant if you take out an SBA disaster loan first.
A new version of the Economic Injury and Disaster Loan (EIDL) advance is back in place for businesses that are still struggling from impacts of COVID-19.
Advances are available up to $5,000 — and most businesses that qualify should receive the full amount. However, the number of businesses that can apply has been significantly limited to start.
The three phases of the EIDL rollout are:
The SBA has also extended the deferment period for all disaster loans until 2022.
The SBA is offering Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to small businesses and nonprofits in areas affected by COVID-19. You can use the funds to pay off debt or cover coronavirus-related losses. Thanks to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, business owners could previously apply for an advance of up to $10,000 in the form of a grant, but funds have since run out as of July 11, 2020. The grant program may reopen if more funding is approved by Congress.
Here’s how Economic Injury Disaster Loans break down:
Businesses must meet size standards, which vary by business type, in addition to several other requirements.
The following types of businesses qualify for an EIDL during the coronavirus outbreak:
EIDL disaster loans are now open to businesses in all states and territories. Previously, you had to be located in a state where the government has declared an economic disaster.
Your business must also meet the following criteria to qualify for this loan:
Follow these steps to apply for an SBA disaster loan:
Eligibility and loan amounts mainly are based on the financial impact of the outbreak on your business
10+ business grants for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
“Once a borrower applies, the approval timeline depends on volume,” Michael Myhre, the CEO of the Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network told Finder. “The typical timeline for approval is two to three weeks, and disbursement can take up to five days. There is currently a high demand, so the agency has expanded its capacity to process applications.”
As for grants, those are much faster. “Funds will be made available within days of a successful application, and this loan advance does not have to be repaid even if the grantee is subsequently denied an EIDL,” Myhre says.
The SBA was offering advances of $10,000 per applicant in the form of a grant. But due to high demand, has made several changes to the grant program. As of March 2021, the SBA is only offering $5,000 grants. These will first be available to the hardest-hit small businesses before rolling out to other eligible firms.
The SBA previously offered Express Bridge Loans of up to $25,000 for businesses that already have an existing SBA relationship in lieu of a grant. But this program is no longer available as of March 2021.
The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) offers up to $10 million and get up to your full loan amount reimbursed if you keep your employees on salary and spend the funds on eligible expenses. And rates are lower than an EIDL, at 1%.
If you took out an EIDL between January 31, 2020 and April 3, 2020 to cover payroll expenses and apply for a PPP loan, you’re required to refinance your EIDL with your new loan. If you used it for other operating expenses, it’s ineligible for PPP refinancing. Applications to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program loan reopened in January 2021 after the Economic Aid Act passed. You have until May 31, 2021 to apply.
The SBA is automatically deferring repayments on all current disaster loans until 2022. If you took out a disaster loan in 2020, repayments start 24 months from the date you received the loan. If you received a disaster loan in 2021, you have 18 months of deferment before repayments are due.
You can find out more about loans for businesses affected by COVID-19 by reading our guide.
An SBA disaster loan is a low-interest term loan for businesses and homes that have been affected by a natural disaster, like a hurricane, tornado, drought or flood. It’s the only loan program that the Small Business Administration directly funds, so you apply through the agency rather than a local bank.
There are two main types of SBA disaster loans: physical damage loans and economic injury loans. These loans are available to business owners who have suffered physical damage or economic loss, military reservists who’ve been called for active duty and home or property owners in disaster areas.
BPDLs are secured long-term loans that business owners can use to replace anything damaged or lost during a natural disaster. This includes equipment or machinery, inventory, real estate and property damage and improvements that your business made on a lease.
Unlike other SBA loans, BPDLs are available to both for-profit and non-profit businesses of all sizes. They’re meant to help pay for damages that your insurance doesn’t cover.
EIDLs are essentially working capital loans for small for-profit and nonprofit businesses that have suffered a loss in revenue due to a natural disaster. They’re meant to help small businesses stay up and running while the disaster area recovers. Small agricultural co-ops are also eligible for this loan.
MREIDLs are long-term loans for businesses that suffer an economic loss because one or more employees has been called up for active duty. Business owners must meet certain insurance requirements to be eligible, like have interruption insurance or flood insurance if the business is located in a flood-prone area.
How much your business is eligible to borrow depends on how much its interruption insurance covers and if you have enough money to keep it up and running as usual. Your business can’t use an MREIDL to make up for lost income or profits or to refinance current debts.
These loans are for people who own or rent a home, condo or other real estate that was damaged during a natural disaster. These loans are only extended for your primary residence — you can’t use them to repair your vacation home. And SBA home and property disaster loans can only be used to repair your home — the only upgrades allowed are those that might help prevent property damage in the future. In fact, you might be eligible to borrow up to 20% more than the real estate damage if you make those kinds of improvements.
You can also use this loan to replace lost personal items like cars, clothes, furniture and appliances. The property must be your primary residence and be located in a declared disaster area to be eligible.
You can only apply for an SBA disaster loan on the Small Business Administration’s website. But it can take a few weeks to get funding. If you need money ASAP, a non-government business loan from one of these lenders can help you bridge the gap in the meantime.
The SBA warns business owners to watch out for scams — especially those applying for disaster loans. Here’s what to watch out for:
If you come across a disaster loan scam, report it by calling 800-767-0385 or filling out a form on the SBA’s Office of Inspector General website.
Depending on which type of SBA disaster loan you apply for, you might be able to use it for the following purposes:
For most of these SBA loans, you or your business must be located in a declared disaster area to be eligible, with the exception of an MREIDL. Other requirements depend on the program you apply for.
Follow these steps to apply for an SBA disaster loan. MREIDL applicants can skip the first two steps.
You aren’t eligible for a disaster loan unless you or your business is located in a designated disaster area. Once you’re officially in a disaster area, you can get started on your application.
Before you get started on your application, register with FEMA for disaster assistance. You can do this online by visiting disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800-462-7585. Have the following information on hand before you get started:
FEMA might refer you to the SBA after you register if it can’t provide grants itself. You’ll need your FEMA registration ID to apply for a home and property disaster loan.
The fastest way to apply for an SBA disaster assistance loan is online.
Can’t apply online? You can visit your local disaster center in person or by mail.
After the SBA runs a credit check, it’ll contact you to set up a time for an on-site inspection if you’re creditworthy and meet other eligibility requirements.
Here, a site inspector visits your property to assess your losses. This is where the SBA determines how much you can borrow. How long this takes varies widely, depending on your unique situation.
Once you’ve finished the site inspection, an SBA loan officer will reach out to you to help you complete your application. Submit any additional documents if required. If you’re approved, the loan officer will bring you your closing documents. This step can take between two and four weeks.
It can take up to five days to get your initial funds after you sign your closing documents. The SBA typically disburses $25,000 first, then the remaining funds after.
After you’ve received your funds, the SBA assigns you a case worker to help you meet all of the conditions of your loan and schedule the rest of your funds to be disbursed.
If you have an SBA loan, the short answer is no. Since most SBA loans are funded through a third-party lender, the Small Business Administration doesn’t have the authority to forgive any current debt. You also can’t use an SBA disaster loan to refinance current debts you have. You can, however, use your SBA home and personal property disaster loan to refinance your mortgage.
SBA loans might be available as soon as disaster hits, but research all of your options before you submit your application. You might not be able to get approved for a government disaster grant if you already have a disaster loan.
In fact, one of the top complaints from disaster victims is that they weren’t aware that government grants would be available when they applied for an SBA loan — and they weren’t aware that already having an SBA loan made them ineligible for a grant. Even just applying for an SBA loan and then later rejecting it can make you ineligible for all of the grant money you would have been entitled to.
It’s not always clear what funding is available right away, so consider waiting to learn what your options are first.
When disaster strikes, an SBA disaster loan can help you and your business get back on its feet. The application is not nearly as complicated as a typical SBA loan, and the SBA caps interest rates at 4% if you can’t get credit elsewhere. But you might want to wait to apply to make sure you don’t accidentally disqualify yourself from a disaster relief grant.
Want to learn more about your business financing options? Check out our guide to business loans, where you can find out how different types of loans work and start comparing lenders.
Answers to common questions about SBA disaster loans.
What type of collateral does the SBA ask for?
It depends on your or your business’s personal situation. Common types of collateral include a first or second mortgage, vehicles or other personal and business assets. The SBA might also accept a personal guarantee instead of collateral.
Loans under $50,000 for businesses and $25,000 for individuals might not require collateral at all. And the SBA might still approve your application for loans over that amount, even if you can’t provide enough collateral to back the full value of your loan.
Can my business apply for both an economic injury and physical disaster loan?
Yes, although it can still only qualify for a total of $2 million in funds between the two loans.
What does loss verification mean on an SBA loan?
The loss verification process is essentially step five of the application process: The site visit. An SBA official comes and inspects your property to assess the damage to tell you how much you’re eligible to borrow.
Image source: Shutterstock
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