Help is Here

The Florida SBDC Network and our state and federal partners remain committed to helping you access the disaster capital and resources your business needs to recover and reopen.

As during any disaster, we are here to help your business recover. Our team of disaster specialists are available to provide confidential, no-cost consulting and direction to help you assess and prepare disaster loan applications and assist with other post-disaster challenges.

Business Damage Assessment Survey (BDA)

Florida’s Business Damage Assessment Survey is now activated to assess the needs of Florida business owners impacted by Hurricane Debby. If your business was affected by the storm, please fill out the survey here.

Available Assistance

Economic Injury Disaster Loan - Apply Now

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 12, 2025

If you have suffered substantial economic injury and are one of the following types of businesses located in a declared disaster area, you may be eligible for an SBA EIDL:

  • Small business
  • Small agricultural cooperative
  • Most private nonprofit organizations

Eligibility

  • Located in a disaster declared county: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Charlotte, Clay, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, DeSoto, Duval, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hardee, Hillsborough, Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union and Wakulla 
  • Substantial economic injury means the business is unable to meet its obligations and pay its ordinary and necessary operating expenses.
  • EIDL provides the necessary working capital to help small businesses impacted by a disaster survive until normal operations resume.  
  • EIDL assistance is available only to small businesses when SBA determines they are unable to obtain credit elsewhere.

SBA can provide up to $2 million* to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. The loan amount will be based on your actual economic injury and your company's financial needs, regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

*A business may qualify for, both, an EIDL and a physical disaster loan.

The maximum combined loan amount is $2 million. A separate SBA Disaster Assistance program known as business physical disaster loans covers property damage.

Use of Proceeds

Working capital and normal expenses such as the continuation of health care benefits, rent, utilities, and fixed debt payments.

APPLY NOW!

Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan - Apply Now

Florida farmers, ranchers, and growers impacted by Hurricane Debby will be able to apply for low-interest and interest-free loans through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program.

Important Information

  • Low-interest or interest-free loans up to $500,000 for eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers that have experienced damage or destruction from Hurricane Debby.
  • Loans may be used to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property, including fences, equipment, greenhouses, and other buildings, or to remove vegetative debris.
  • Interested producers can learn more or apply here.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Applicants must own a bona fide farm operation on land classified as agricultural pursuant to Section 193.461, F.S., or lease sovereign submerged land pursuant to Section 597.010, F.S.
  • The farm or aquaculture facility must be located in a qualifying county.
  • Applicants must have experienced damage or destruction due to a qualifying disaster.
  • If an applicant is not the owner of the property, please have the property owner complete the Authorized Representative Form [ pdf 83.6 kB ] before applying for a loan.
  • Loan funds may only be used to restore, repair or replace essential physical property or remove vegetative debris from essential physical property. 
  • You must be at least 18 years old.
  • Applicants must not have accepted financial assistance from another state or federal disaster relief program, which would render an approved applicant ineligible for other financial assistance.
  • You must complete all sections and upload all required documents for your application to be considered complete and proceed to the review and loan decision process.
  • Applicants must understand that any changes that would alter an applicant’s answers or affect an applicant’s eligibility to participate in the program must be reported to FDACS immediately.

Note: An applicant may not receive more than one loan per application period, more than two loans per year, or more than five loans in any three-year period.