On May 2, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved his recent request to make financial aid available to survivors after devastating flooding on April 11-12, 2024.

SBA financial aid is available in Allegheny County as well as the surrounding counties of Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland.  Read more here.

“The flooding in southwestern Pennsylvania has been devastating, and I remain committed to helping Pennsylvanians recover and rebuild stronger than before,” said Gov. Shapiro. “That’s why we worked with the federal government to open up access to these low interest loans as a tool to ensure homeowners and business owners have the support they need and can recoup unforeseen losses.”

The SBA’s Disaster Loan program provides low-interest loans for homeowners, renters, private nonprofits, and businesses located in disaster declared counties who sustained damages from flooding.

The SBA can provide up to $500,000 for homeowners to replace or repair their primary residences and up to $100,000 for homeowners and renters to replace or repair personal property.

Businesses and most private nonprofits may apply for up to $2 million to cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance.

Additionally, small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private nonprofit organizations located in the declared disaster area that have suffered substantial economic injury may be eligible for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

The SBA offers long-term repayment options to keep payments affordable, with terms up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.

How To Apply

Applicants may immediately obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov and referencing Pennsylvania Disaster Number PA-20003.

Allegheny County Outreach Center

The SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) in Allegheny County beginning Friday, May 3, 2024, at Noon. to provide in-person assistance for those wishing to apply.

Visiting the DLOC is not required to obtain assistance.

The Center is located at the South Fayette Township Municipal Building, 100 Township Drive, Bridgeville, PA 15017

DLOC Hours of Operation

-- Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

-- Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

-- Sunday the DLOC is closed

The DLOC permanently closes on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 2:00 p.m.

Apply Online

Alternatively, loan applications can be downloaded at sba.gov/disaster and completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The deadline to return disaster loan applications for physical damages is June 28, 2024.

The deadline to return economic injury disaster loan (EIDL) applications is January 29, 2025.

Affected homeowners and renters are strongly encouraged to complete the SBA disaster loan application, as those who do not qualify for an SBA loan may later be eligible for other assistance such as the Commonwealth Disaster Recovery Assistance Program.

(Photo: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Related Articles - Flooding:

-- Gov. Shapiro Announces SBA Low-interest Loans Available For April 2024 Flood Survivors In Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington, Westmoreland Counties  [PaEN]

-- Delaware River Basin Commission, PEMA, Other Partners  Make Available Flood Loss Reduction Assistance Resources For Local Officials  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: ‘Bathtub’ Funding Will Make Pittsburgh Safer, More Climate Resilient

-- WHYY: Federal Money Will Help Prepare 2 Philly Bridges For Climate-Driven Floods

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: Drenching Rains Come More Frequently Now

-- Post-Gazette Guest Essay: Flooded Basements Are More Dangerous Than They Seem - By Pitt Professors, Black Environmental Collective

[Posted: May 2, 2024]

5/6/2024