Businesses

Eligible businesses

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

1. Experienced damage because of Hurricane Ida

Your business must have:

• Been open before Hurricane Ida hit Philadelphia on September 1, 2021.
• Experienced property damage or lost revenue of $50,000 or more because of Hurricane Ida.
• Reopened after Hurricane Ida.
• Average annual gross sales or gross receipts of at least $25,000, calculated over a consecutive three-year period that includes the year of the storm.
• Eligible, unmet financial need after accounting for all other funding sources.

2. Meet standard funding requirements

Your business must be:

• Located within the City of Philadelphia.
• Meet the Small Business Administration (SBA)’s small business size standards.
• Compliant with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Up to date on City taxes or have an approved tax payment agreement.
• Eligible to use SAM.gov to receive federal assistance.

3. Support 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.

Ineligible organizations

• Private utility companies
• Non-profit organizations

Expenses

Eligible expenses

Grant funds can be used for everyday business fees and expenses. Do not buy any items until after you submit your full application.

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.