SBA offers loans to Alabama residents, businesses affected by Hurricane Zeta

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering low-interest rate loans to those who were affected by Hurricane Zeta on Oct. 28 and 29. 

This is a presidential disaster declaration that covers Clarke, Dallas, Marengo, Mobile, Perry, Washington and Wilcox counties. These counties are eligible for the SBA's Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in certain eligible counties can apply for the SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans. These are: Autauga, Baldwin, Bibb, Butler, Chilton, Choctaw, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Monroe and Sumter in Alabama; and George, Greene, Jackson and Wayne in Mississippi.

A message released to media from the SBA specified the following: 

• Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
• Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate.
• Homeowners and renters are eligible up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance applicants, register at www.disasterassistance.gov.  A FEMA mobile app can be downloaded as well. To file by phone call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362.

Anyone using 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362.

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

To obtain information and loan applications by phone, call 1-800-659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Those who are deaf and hard of hearing can call 1-800-877-8339 for assistance. 

Electronic Loan Application from the SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoanAssistance.sba.gov/ can be accessed for those wishing to apply online. 

A Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Centers/Business Recovery Center has been established to assist during the COVID-19 situation. Representatives are available Monday through Sunday at 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time, as well as via email at FOCE-Help@sba.gov and phone by (800) 659-2955.

The deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Feb. 8, 2021 and Sept. 10, 2021 for economic injury applications. 

Update: this story has been updated with additional information.