An SBA Disaster Assistance Loan Application is Key to Some FEMA Grants

AURORA, IL – FEMA disaster assistance applicants who do not complete and submit the companion U.S. Small Business Administration disaster assistance loan application could be throwing money away.

No FEMA applicant is required to accept an SBA disaster assistance loan. However, the SBA loan application provides financial information necessary to determine whether to offer a low interest loan or refer the applicant back to FEMA for possible additional grant assistance.

Common mistakes made by FEMA applicants are assuming that SBA packets are only for businesses or ignoring the application because they do not want a loan. Failure to submit a completed SBA disaster assistance loan application could prevent a survivor from receiving some types of FEMA grants.

SBA loans are an affordable means to pay for up to 100 percent of uninsured disaster-related losses.

If a disaster survivor does not qualify for a low-interest loan, FEMA may be able to offer them additional disaster grants that help reimburse for lost personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Survivors are not required to complete an SBA disaster assistance loan application to qualify for FEMA grants for medical, dental and funeral expenses.

Help is available to complete the SBA application. Disaster survivors can call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or TTY at 800-877-8339 or go to one of FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers to meet with an SBA representative. Survivors also can apply online using the electronic disaster loan applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Don’t throw away money. Fill out the SBA application and return as soon as possible.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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