February 17, 2021
UPDATE
The U.S. Small Business Administration has extended the deadline to apply for low-interest loans for physical property damage to March 18, 2021.
January 11, 2021
UPDATE
Our office will join the U.S. Small Business Administration to host a Zoom meeting on Tuesday, January 12th at 7 p.m.
SBA will answer questions and discuss the low interest loan program available to those recovering from Tropical Storm Isaias.
Registration for the meeting, which will be virtual due to COVID-19 concerns, is available here.
It will also be streamed on the Office of Emergency Management’s Facebook page.
Questions can be sent in advance to oem@phila.gov or during the meeting on Facebook or Zoom.
December 22, 2020
On Sunday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced there are low interest loans available for several counties that experienced damage from Tropical Storm Isaias this past summer.
Residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations in several Pennsylvania counties can seek help in the form of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low interest loans as the SBA approved Wolf’s request to declare the August storm a disaster.
Governor Wolf was able to secure this resource in part due to information provided by residents and businesses in Philadelphia to the city’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Information was collected through an online form and at OEM Recovery Information Centers around the city.
Eligible areas in Pennsylvania for the SBA program include Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and Schuylkill counties.
Watch a short video from the U.S. Small Business Association on disaster loan availability.
Who is eligible?
Any homeowner, renter, business, or non-profit residing within the ten Pennsylvania declared counties who have documented damages or losses caused by the August 4th storm can apply for a SBA low interest loan. The application does not guarantee the low interest loan.
How do I apply?
Due to COVID-19, the SBA cannot open a physical location to assist disaster survivors with low interest loan assistance. All applications must be done online through Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Centers or over the phone with the SBA.
SBA customer service representatives will be able to assist applicants during the following times:
- Open seven days a week, Monday through Sunday (closed 12/24 and 12/25 for the holidays)
- Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Email FOCE-Help@sba.gov
- Phone: (800) 659-2955
- Web: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/
- Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339.
What is the deadline?
The deadline to return loan applications for physical property damage is February 16, 2021. The deadline to file economic injury disaster loan applications is September 21, 2021.
