On August 8, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the U.S. Small Business Administration approved his request to declare a disaster in Allegheny County after intense storms produced damaging flash flooding between July 21 and 22, 2019.

“Increasingly, citizens throughout the commonwealth are being negatively impacted by fast-moving, intense storms that cause damaging flash flooding,” said Gov. Wolf. “This flooding occurs with little or no warning, and those affected rarely have time to prepare. We want families to know they have a financial lifeline available to them if they need it through the SBA.”

Homeowners, renters and businesses impacted by the flooding in Allegheny County, as well as neighboring counties Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington, and Westmoreland may be eligible for low-interest disaster loans through the SBA Disaster Loan Programs.

Low-interest loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. SBA regulations permit loans up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.

Businesses and nonprofits can borrow up to $2 million to restore damaged or destroyed buildings, inventory, equipment and assets. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial qualifications.

The SBA will establish a Disaster Loan Outreach Center to assist anyone who wishes to apply for a loan.

The DLOC will be open at the following location and times:

Renton Volunteer Department, Plum Borough, 1996 Old Mine Road in Pittsburgh

Opening: Friday, Aug. 9 at 11 a.m.

Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 10 & Aug. 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Closed: Sundays

Closes: Tuesday, Aug. 20 at 4 p.m.

SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the disaster loan outreach center to issue loan applications, answer questions about the disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals to complete their applications.

Individuals and businesses unable to visit the centers in person may obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), or by emailing: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. 

Loan applications can also be downloaded. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website.

Completed applications should be returned to the local DLOC or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is October 7, 2019.  The deadline to return economic injury disaster loan applications is May 7, 2020.

(Photo: Triblive.com.)

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[Posted: August 8, 2019]

8/12/2019