Applying for Small Business Administration (SBA) Assistance

After a Presidential Disaster Declaration, the usual procedure is for FEMA and SBA to set up Field Offices in the affected area(s). Both agencies issue press releases and widely disseminate them about how to contact their Field Offices. If you have difficulty in locating a local SBA contact, call the Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955; visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/index.html; or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

Your state emergency management agency (EMA) may also be able to assist you. To find your state EMA, see www.ready.gov/america/local/index.html.

1. When should we apply to the SBA?

If you are a private nonprofit organization that does not provide a critical service (power, water, sewer, wastewater treatment, communications, and emergency medical care), apply to the SBA for funding for permanent repair work (to repair, restore, or replace a damaged facility). Collecting institutions must apply to SBA before applying to FEMA for this permanent work. Private nonprofit organizations may apply to FEMA for emergency work (such as debris removal) at the same time they apply to SBA for permanent work.

Cultural institutions under the umbrella of a state, local, or tribal government do not qualify and therefore do not apply to SBA for disaster assistance; they must apply directly to FEMA.

2. What do we need to submit?

SBA Disaster Business Loan Application form (also for nonprofits). Click on SBA Form 5.
IRS Form 8821—Tax Information Authorization (Instructions for completing IRS Form 8821 are at www.sba.gov/sbaforms/IRS8821Instructions.pdf). You need to include with the form:
- your institution's three most recent tax returns
- a current business balance sheet
- current profit and loss statement
- current schedule of liabilities
- a brief description of the damage to real estate and contents
- your insurance information.

3. Where can we get help with the application?

Consult the Disaster Business Loan Filing Requirements.

SBA will help you complete your application and answer specific questions. SBA usually has loan officers in the disaster area to help you and will announce locations where you can get help in filling out your application.

To locate a local SBA contact or for help with the application, call the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

4. Where do we send the application?

When you have completed your application, either drop it off at any of SBA’s disaster offices or mail it to: SBA Disaster Assistance, Disaster Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Ft. Worth, TX 76155-2243.

5. What happens then?

See What to Expect after You Have Filed with SBA.