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Program Description

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers affordable financial help to homeowners and renters in declared disaster areas. You don't need to own a business.

We provide help in the form of low-interest, long-term loans for losses not fully covered by insurance or other means.

You may borrow up to $500,000 to repair or replace your primary home to its pre-disaster condition.

In some cases, SBA may be able to refinance all or part of a prior mortgage (not to exceed $500,000). We consider refinancing for all who apply. You may qualify if you meet the conditions below:

  • You can’t get credit elsewhere.
  • You have a heavily damaged property.
  • You intend to repair or replace the damaged property.

We may also be able to increase the loan up to 20% of the confirmed physical losses (not to exceed $500,000).

You could use the loan increase to improve your home to help protect it from future disasters. This could include improvements like retaining walls, seawalls, sump pumps, safe rooms, and storm shelters.

Second homes and vacation properties are not eligible. Certain rental properties may qualify for a business disaster loan.

You may also be able to borrow up to $100,000 to replace damaged or destroyed personal property. This may include items from the list below:

  • Clothing
  • Furniture
  • Appliances
  • Cars
  • Other personal property; not real estate or part of the actual structure

You may not use the loan to replace very expensive or rare and unique items. This includes items like those below:

  • Antiques
  • Collections
  • Pleasure boats
  • Recreational vehicles

Other terms and conditions may apply.

General Program Requirements

To qualify for SBA disaster assistance, you must have physical damage to your primary home in a declared county.

Application Process

If you're a homeowner or renter, you must first apply with FEMA. You may apply to FEMA on DisasterAssistance.gov.

If you want to apply by phone, please call the FEMA Disaster Assistance Helpline:

  • 1-800-621-3362 (711 available)
  • If you use a video relay service, captioned phone, or other communication service, give FEMA the number for that service.

To apply for an SBA disaster loan, you may apply online at any time using the MySBA Loan Portal.

You can also apply directly to SBA from your DisasterAssistance.gov account:

  1. Create or log in to your account.
  2. On the “Status” tab, find the section for “Other Government Agencies.”
  3. On the line for SBA, under the “Application Status” column, click Apply.

If you have already applied with FEMA, they can transfer your information to SBA.

To get personal, one-on-one help from SBA, you may also apply in person at one of the centers below:

To find a center near you, or for help to apply by mail, contact our Customer Service Center; see the contact section below.

If you prefer to mail your application to SBA, please use the following address:

Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, Texas 76155

Last Updated: 11/30/2023