Deadline to Apply for SBA Physical Disaster Loans Approaching in Leon County, Florida

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters in Florida affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes on May 10 to apply for physical damage disaster loans by the Aug. 16 deadline.

Those affected by the disaster should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

The disaster declaration covers Leon County, which is eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Liberty and Wakulla in Florida; and Grady and Thomas in Georgia.

Applicants can still get assistance at SBA’s Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Tallahassee. Customer Service Representatives at the BRC will help business owners complete their disaster loan application, accept documents, and provide updates on an application’s status. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment at an SBA Disaster Recovery Center in advance. The Center address and hours of operation are indicated below.

Business Recovery Center (BRC) – Leon County
Domi Station
914 Railroad Avenue Tallahassee, FL 32310
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed: Sunday

With the changes to FEMA’s Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover. FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition. Do not wait on the decision for a FEMA grant.

For more information and to apply online visit SBA.gov/Disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email DisasterCustomerService@SBA.gov for information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than Aug. 16, 2024. The deadline to submit economic injury applications is March 17, 2025.