I Was Referred to the Small Business Administration

You may receive a phone call to advise you of ways to apply for the Small Business Administration (SBA). If referred to the SBA, a loan application must be completed and returned in order to be considered for a loan, as well as for certain types of FEMA assistance.

If SBA find that you cannot afford a loan, they will automatically refer you to FEMA’s Individuals and Households program. Your file will be reviewed to determine if you qualify for additional grant assistance.

To meet the needs of disaster survivors, FEMA partners with other agencies. FEMA works with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to offer low-interest disaster loans to homeowners and renters in a declared disaster area. You do not need to own a business to apply for a disaster loan. You may receive a phone call to advise you of ways to apply for the Small Business Administration.

If referred to the SBA, a loan application must be completed and returned in order to be considered for a loan, as well as for certain types of FEMA assistance, such as personal property and vehicle repair or replacement. If the SBA determines you are not eligible for a loan, they will automatically refer you to FEMA’s Individuals and Households program based on their decision. Your file will be reviewed to determine if you qualify for any additional grant (non-loan) assistance.

Since the FEMA Individuals and Households Program does not provide grant assistance to businesses, or rental properties that are not occupied by the owner as a primary residence, FEMA applications of this type are automatically referred to the SBA for disaster loan consideration.