San Juan, Puerto Rico – Applying for a loan from the US Small Business Administration (SBA) may be an additional source of help for residents of Puerto Rico who requested assistance from FEMA after Hurricane Fiona.
SBA’s low-interest disaster loans are for more than just businesses. An applicant who is referred to the SBA during the initial FEMA application process must complete an SBA loan application. Submitting a loan application keeps the full range of disaster assistance available as an option. No one is forced to accept a loan.
The federal funding process stops for SBA referrals who choose not to apply. If you apply and are not eligible for a loan, this may open the door to additional grant funds, such as help to replace essential household items, replace or repair a damaged vehicle, cover the cost of storage or meet other disaster-related needs.
Reasons to complete the SBA application, even if you don’t currently think you need a loan:
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The SBA can fill the gap in recovery costs not covered by subsidies or FEMA insurance regulations.
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The loans are tailored to your personal financial situation. On a case-by-case basis, the SBA may be able to help you refinance your current mortgage(s).
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Homeowners may qualify for a disaster loan of up to $200,000 for home repairs, and landlords and renters may receive up to $40,000 to replace major personal property, including damaged automobiles or destroyed in the disaster.
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Business owners can also find recovery assistance through loans to repair or replace disaster-damaged business assets and economic injury loans to meet ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result. of the disaster.
For one-on-one assistance completing an SBA application or to get answers to your loan application questions, visit a Business Recovery Center (BRC) in the municipalities of Arecibo, Barranquitas, Caguas, Fajardo, Mayagüez, Ponce and Yabucoa..
CRB locations:
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Inter-American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo, Street #2, km. 80.4, Barrio San Daniel, Sector Las Canelas, Arecibo, PR 00612
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Interamerican University of Puerto RicoBarranquitas Regional College, Rec Room in Multipurpose Center Building, Route 156, Intersection 719, Bo, Helechal, Barranquitas, PR 00794
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Gobierno Municipal CenterCalle Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, Caguas, PR 00725
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Interamerican University of Puerto RicoBatey Central Park, C. Union, Fajardo, PR 00738
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Women’s Business CenterVilla Capitán II Building, Suite 204, 828 Hostos Avenue (Party City Heights), Mayaguez, PR 00682
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Interamerican University of Puerto RicoRecinto de Ponce, 104 Turpeaux Ind Park, Room 107, Mercedita, Ponce, PR 00715
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Yabucoa Municipal Library3 CII Catalina Morales, Yabucoa, PR 00767
For more information, email [email protected] or call 1-800-659-2955. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment must dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Learn more about SBA loans available to individuals and businesses after a disaster, by visiting www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. Loan applications can also be downloaded from sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: US Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
You can also visit any open FEMA disaster recovery center. Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are on hand at the DRC to provide program information and how to apply for low-interest SBA disaster loans for homeowners, businesses, private non-profit organizations and tenants, and provide information on repairs and reconstruction to make homes more resilient to disasters. Find the nearest DRC by visiting www.fema.gov/DRC.
