SBA Extends Disaster Assistance Application Deadline To Jan. 8

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced on Tuesday that it has extended the deadline to apply for physical disaster damages on St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas. Businesses and individuals with physical damages caused by Hurricane Irma or Hurricane Maria should apply for an SBA low-interest disaster loan before the Jan. 8, 2018 deadline.

According to the SBA, business owners and nonprofit organizations that need assistance with reconstructing records, preparing financial statement and applying on-line should consider going to one of the SBA Business Recovery Centers. Homeowners and renters who prefer face-to-face assistance should meet with representatives at one of the FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers to apply. SBA representatives at the recovery centers can provide information about disaster loans, answer questions and help businesses and individuals complete the SBA application.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app. If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.

Additional information on the location of the recovery centers and the disaster loan program may be obtained by calling SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to [email protected]. Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Loan applications can be downloaded from www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be returned to a recovery center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to submit applications for physical property damage is Jan. 8, 2018 for Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The deadline for economic injury applications is June 7, 2018 for Hurricane Irma and June 20, 2018 for Hurricane Maria.