Disaster Loan Outreach Center to Assist Applicants Opens January 25
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the U.S. Small Business Administration will make low-interest loans available to homeowners and businesses affected by Tropical Storm Fred in mid-August to aid in their recovery. The low-interest loans are available to residents and businesses in Steuben County and the contiguous counties of Allegany, Chemung, Livingston, Ontario, Schuyler and Yates.
"Tropical Storm Fred had a devastating impact on the residents of Steuben County – impacts still being felt today,” Governor Hochul said. “While FEMA’s refusal to grant the county Individual Assistance was beyond disappointing, these low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration will be key in helping residents and businesses get back on their feet as quickly as possible."
SBA loans are often helpful when eligible homeowners, renters, businesses, and others need financial support following emergencies or weather-related disasters. Following the event, staff from the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and Steuben County conducted a thorough assessment of the damages related to this incident. This assessment confirmed major damage occurred to 38 homes and 14 businesses totaling $1,073,000 and $1,050,000, respectively, and minor damage to 84 homes and 12 businesses/non-profits totaling $700,000 and $185,000, respectively.
The following groups may be eligible for help from SBA disaster loans for the following:
- Homeowners: up to $200,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate
- Homeowners and renters: up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property
- Business owners: up to $2 million for the replacement of real estate, inventories, machinery, equipment, and other physical losses
- Businesses and non-profits: Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2 million to provide necessary working capital until normal operations resume after a disaster
New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Acting Commissioner Jackie Bray said, "Rebuilding after a storm is never easy due to stress and exacerbated by financial pressures. These loans will help New Yorkers impacted by this disaster through low interest loans. I thank the SBA for their assistance to help Steuben residents recover from Tropical Storm Fred."
Interest rates can be as low as 1.563 percent for homeowners and renters, 2.00 percent for non-profit organizations and 2.855 percent for businesses with terms of up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition.
SBA has opened a Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) to help survivors apply. Customer Support Representatives are available to assist applicants with completing the application as well as answer questions about the SBA disaster loan program. The DLOC information is as follows:
Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Woodhull New York Town Hall, 1585 Academy Street, Woodhull, N.Y., 14898
Opening Date: Tuesday, January 25 at 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Days of Operation: Monday-Saturday
Hours: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. EDT Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EDT Saturday
Closed Sundays
Permanently Closes: Thursday, February 10 at 4:00 p.m.
Applicants may call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Paper Loan applications may be downloaded at https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is March 21, 2022. The deadline to return economic injury applications is October 20, 2022.