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Ida Business Assistance Program

Eligibility information

Learn about which businesses are eligible to apply for the Ida Business Assistance Program and what you can use the grant funding to pay for.

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Eligible businesses

To be eligible to apply for funding from the Ida Business Assistance Program, you need to show that your business meets these criteria. Additional requirements may apply.

Open before September 1, 2021

Your business must have:

  • Been open before Hurricane Ida hit Philadelphia on September 1, 2021.
  • Reopened after Hurricane Ida.
  • Experienced property damage or lost revenue of $50,000 or more because of Hurricane Ida.

Support for low-to-moderate income residents

In 2025, a low-to-moderate income wage is equal to or below $66,850 per year.

Qualified microenterprises can meet this requirement if:

  • The business employs no more than five full- or part- time employees.
  • The business owner is low-income.

All other businesses can meet this requirement in one of two ways:

  • Create or retain at least one permanent, full-time equivalent (FTE) job that pays a low- to moderate-income wage.
  • Serve a defined area where at least 51% of residents are low- to moderate-income.

Meet standard funding requirements

Your business must be:

  • Located within the City of Philadelphia.
  • Compliant with local, state, and federal regulations.
  • Up to date on City taxes or have an approved tax payment agreement.
  • Eligible to receive help from the federal government.

Ineligible businesses

  • Private utility companies.

Eligible expenses

Grant funds received from the Ida Business Assistance Program can be used for everyday business fees and expenses.

Working capital

  • Lease and mortgage payments.
  • Credit card processing fees.
  • Licenses, permits, and inspections.
  • Employer’s portion of payroll taxes.
  • Staff payroll (for non-owners.)
  • Utility bills.
  • Professional services.
  • Inventory purchases.
  • Insurance premiums (e.g. property, liability, workers’ compensation.)
  • Delivery charges.
  • Marketing costs.
  • Business-related transportation (e.g. parking fees, tolls, gas, public transit fares, and air fare.)

Fixed assets

  • Moveable equipment purchases or lease payments.
  • Moveable equipment repairs and maintenance.
  • Furniture.

Ineligible expenses

  • Costs associated with construction or expanding existing operations.
  • Business owner payroll or revenue that the owner may take home as earnings.
  • Expenses that are already covered by insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), donations, or other funding sources.

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