Disaster Assistance Now Available to More Nonprofits in East Texas

SACRAMENTO, Cal. – Low-interest disaster loans are now available to certain private, nonprofit organizations (PNPs) in six additional Texas counties — mainly in East Texas — following President Obama’s September 21 federal disaster declaration for Public Assistance as a result of wildfires beginning August 30. The announcement comes from Karen G. Mills, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Only PNPs that provide essential government services are eligible for assistance.

The disaster declaration now makes SBA assistance available in the additional counties of Anderson, Henderson, Hill, Marion, Smith and Upshur. Previously SBA announced assistance to private, nonprofit organizations in the counties of Bastrop, Cherokee, Colorado, Gregg, Harrison, Houston, Leon, Rusk and Walker.

All interested PNPs should begin the process by registering with FEMA. At the time of registration, FEMA will initially determine if the PNP qualifies to immediately apply for a grant from FEMA’s PA program. All other eligible PNPs will be referred to the SBA for a low-interest disaster loan to cover property damages. If SBA cannot approve a low-interest disaster loan or meet all of the PNP’s needs, SBA may refer the PNP back to FEMA.

SBA may lend PNPs up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For certain private, nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA also offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDLs may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster’s impact. EIDL assistance is available regardless of whether the PNP suffered any property damage. Interest rates are as low as 3 percent with terms up to 30 years.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site. Go to https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela to apply. Disaster loan information and applications are also available by calling (800) 659-2955, clicking on http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance or contacting disastercustomerservice@sba.gov via email. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is November 21, 2011. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 21, 2012.