Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announced this week that there are low-interest loans available for several counties, including Philadelphia, that experienced damage from July 12’s severe storm that produced damaging flooding to property.
The assistance, from the U.S. Small Business Administration, is the same aid the state received from Tropical Storm Isaias last summer which was made available to city residents and businesses.
According to preliminary information from the Philadelphia Water Department, heavy rainfall on July 12 produced between 5.1 and 6.4 inches, roughly double the average amount of rain for all of July, within three hours in some neighborhoods in the far Northeast. Flash flooding prompted an emergency response from City departments and partners that day and through the following weeks to see what storm recovery aid was needed.
To help recover from the storm and to mitigate future damage, several Pennsylvania counties’ residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations can seek help in the form of U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans for damaged property, including homes and vehicles.
Governor Wolf was able to secure this resource 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, calls to Philadelphia’s non-emergency number 311, and in neighborhoods at OEM and state information and resource centers.
Along with Philadelphia, other eligible areas in Pennsylvania for the SBA program include Bucks, Bradford, Delaware, Lehigh, Lycoming, Montgomery, Northampton, Potter, and Tioga counties.
Who is eligible?
Any homeowner, renter, business, or non-profit residing within the ten Pennsylvania declared counties who have documented damages or losses caused by the July 12 storm can apply for an SBA low-interest loan. The application does not guarantee a low-interest loan.
How do I apply?
Make contact with the SBA through Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC), email, online, mail, or over the phone.
In person
In Philadelphia, visit the center located at Katharine Drexel Library, 11099 Knights Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19154. All visitors to the DLOC are encouraged to wear a face mask by the SBA.
Tentative hours of operation
Monday, Aug. 2: 12 p.m.–5 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 3–Friday, Aug. 6: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 7: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (This is the only Saturday.)
Sunday, Aug. 8: Closed
Monday, Aug. 9–Wednesday, Aug. 11: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 12: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Online
Applicants may apply using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Disaster Loan Assistance website (apply under SBA declaration # 17054, not for the COVID-19 incident).
By phone
Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing).
Through email
You can make contact through emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
By mail
Completed applications should be returned to the center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155. Applications can be downloaded on SBA’s disaster assistance webpage.
What is the deadline?
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Sept. 27, 2021.
The deadline to return economic injury disaster loan applications is April 29, 2022.
