Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

US Small Business Administration

Disaster Assistance is made available after a disaster declaration by the President, or a disaster area that is designated by the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

FEMA partners with other agencies to help meet the needs of disaster survivors. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low interest disaster loans to homeowners and renters in a declared major disaster area. You don’t need to own a business to apply for SBA assistance. 

You may have been referred to SBA after applying for FEMA disaster assistance. If you still have unmet needs, loans may help with home repair or replacement, personal property, vehicles, mitigation, business losses, and working capital for small business and most private nonprofits. 

You may choose to complete an SBA disaster loan application, and it will not impact your eligibility for FEMA assistance.

If you are approved for a loan, you are not obligated to accept it. Funds received from SBA must be repaid over time.

Who can apply for an SBA Disaster Loan?

  • Businesses of all sizes
  • Homeowners
  • Renters
  • Private nonprofit organizations

You must be located in a declared disaster area and meet other eligibility criteria depending on the type of loan.

How to use an SBA disaster loan

  • Can be used for personal or business losses not covered by insurance or funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
  • Business operating expenses that could have been made had the disaster not occurred.

Types of disaster loans

  • Physical Damage Loans - Loans to cover repairs and replacement of physical assets damaged in a declared disaster
  • Mitigation Assistance - Expanded funding to make improvements to eliminate future damage
  • Economic Injury Disaster Loans - Funding to cover small business operating expenses after a declared disaster

For questions about the SBA disaster loan program, please call the SBA at 800-659-2955 (TTY: 800-877-8339). SBA information is also available at www.SBA.gov/disaster or by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. 

Survivors who have questions for FEMA or need information can always call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Additional Resources