Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available for Louisiana businesses, private nonprofit organizations, and residents affected by Tropical Storm Arthur occurring June 17-18.
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced that the loans are available in the Louisiana parishes of Avoyelles, St. Landry, St. Tammany, and Terrebonne, which are eligible for both physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.
Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent Louisiana parishes are eligible to apply only for SBA EIDLs: Acadia, Assumption, Catahoula, Concordia, Evangeline, Jefferson, Lafayette, LaSalle, Lafourche, Orleans, Pointe Coupee, Rapides, St. Bernard, St. Martin, St. Mary, Tangipahoa, Washington, and West Feliciana. The Mississippi counties of Hancock and Pearl River are also eligible only for EIDLs.
Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their verified physical damage, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.
SBA’s EIDL program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofits — including faith-based organizations — impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or private nonprofit did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills which could not be paid due to the disaster.
Interest rates can be as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for private nonprofits, and 2.875% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
As soon as Federal-State Disaster Recovery Centers open throughout the affected area, SBA will provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants. Additional information and details on the location of disaster recovery centers is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.