Low Interest Loans Available For Philadelphia Tropical Storm Isaias Disaster Damage

Press release from the City of Philadelphia :

December 22, 2020

Jeffrey Kolakowski Office of Emergency Management

On Sunday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced there are low interest loans available for several counties that experienced damage from Tropical Storm Isaias this past summer.

Residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations in several Pennsylvania counties can seek help in the form of U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) low interest loans as the SBA approved Wolf’s request to declare the August storm a disaster.

Governor Wolf was able to petition the federal government for help recovering from the storm in part due to information provided by residents and businesses in Philadelphia to the city’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM). Information was collected through an online form and at OEM Recovery Information Centers around the city.

Eligible areas for the SBA program include Berks, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and Schuylkill counties.

Watch a short video from the U.S. Small Business Association on disaster loan availability.

Who is eligible?

Any homeowner, renter, business, or non-profit residing within the ten declared counties who have documented damages or losses caused by the August 4th storm can apply for a SBA low interest loan. The application does not guarantee the low interest loan.

How do I apply?

Due to COVID-19, the SBA cannot open a physical location to assist disaster survivors with low interest loan assistance. All applications must be done online through Virtual Disaster Loan Outreach Centers or over the phone with the SBA.

SBA customer service representatives will be able to assist applicants during the following times:

• Open seven days a week, Monday through Sunday (closed 12/24 and 12/25 for the holidays)
• Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Email FOCE-Help@sba.gov
• Phone: (800) 659-2955
• Web: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/
• Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

What is the deadline?

The deadline to return applications for physical property damage is February 16, 2021. The deadline to file economic injury disaster loan applications is September 21, 2021.

This press release was produced by the City of Philadelphia.The views expressed here are the author’s own.