Fairfield Flood Victims Can Apply For Low-Interest SBA Disaster Loans

FAIRFIELD, CT — Fairfield residents, businesses and nonprofit organizations affected by the Sept. 13 flash floods can apply for low-interest federal disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration following a disaster declaration announced by Gov. Ned Lamont.

The SBA declaration covers Fairfield County, as well as the contiguous counties of New Haven and Litchfield. FEMA damage declarations are still being assessed.

First Selectperson Christine Vitale requested the disaster declaration from the governor after touring affected Fairfield neighborhoods Sept. 13. She urged residents, businesses and nonprofits to review the SBA program and its eligibility requirements.

"Many Fairfielders faced significant losses and have incurred substantial expenses in repairing their homes and replacing damaged and destroyed household goods," Vitale said. "Our businesses and non-profits have also been affected. This disaster declaration is an opportunity to begin recovery and I thank Governor Lamont for taking quick action to assist the impacted counties. The Town is committed to continue working with our state and federal partners to be sure our neighborhoods and businesses have access to every available resource."

Under the SBA program, homeowners can apply for loans of up to $500,000 to repair their primary residences.

Homeowners and renters can apply for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Business owners can apply for loans of up to $2 million to replace real property, inventories, machinery, equipment and other physical losses.

Businesses and nonprofits can also apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to provide working capital until normal operations resume following the disaster.

Applicants can seek assistance in person at a temporary SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Margaret E. Morton Government Center, 999 Broad St. in Bridgeport. The center opened Wednesday, Oct. 7.

The center will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. It will be closed Sundays.

Hours will be adjusted to 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 9 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 20 and 21. The center will be closed Oct. 12 for the Columbus Day holiday and is expected to permanently close at 4 p.m. Oct. 21.

Applications can also be submitted online through the MySBA Loan Portal at lending.sba.gov. Applicants can use the portal to view loan details, check balances, make payments and access statements.

For assistance, applicants can contact the SBA Customer Service Center at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or 1-800-659-2955. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability can dial 711 to access telecommunications relay services.

Residents and business owners are encouraged to document losses with photographs and videos, keep receipts and contact their insurance companies.