Florida Drought Event - March 21, 2023
This drought event, #17926, occurred on March 21, 2023 and is continuing. Affected counties are mostly in South and Central Florida. If your small business was affected, you may be eligible for financial assistance. Read below to learn more.
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan - Apply Now!
Application Deadline | January 16, 2024
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
- Counties: Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands, Lake, Manatee, and adjacent counties of Glades, Hendry, Hillsborough, Lee, Marion, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Sarasota, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia.
- 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.
Use of Proceeds
- Working capital and normal expenses such as the continuation of health care benefits, rent, utilities, and fixed debt payments
Terms
- The interest rate will not exceed 4%.
Maturity
- Up to 30 years, with repayment term to be determined by ability to repay the loan
- No pre-payment penalty or fees
Collateral Requirements
- Required for loans over $25,000
- Real estate is the preferred collateral. Loans of $200,000 or less will not require the owner of the business to use their primary residence as collateral if it is determined the owner has other assets of equal quality and a value equal to or greater than the amount of the loan.
How to Apply
- Apply online for an SBA disaster assistance loan. SBA will send an inspector to estimate the cost of damage, once your application is completed and submitted.
- Complete, sign, and date IRS Form 4506-T with your application, giving permission for the IRS to provide SBA with your tax return information.
Additional Information
Contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at:
Phone: 800-659-2955
TTY/TRS: 711
