WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved more than $5 million in federal disaster loans to support the state of Arizona and tribal nations. To date, the SBA has provided $3,322,900 to businesses and $2,037,200 to residents in the wake of severe flooding in Gila County occurring Sept. 25-27, 2025.
“Surpassing $5 million in disaster loans reflects more than just numbers — it represents small businesses reopening, families returning home and communities rebuilding more effectively,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator for the SBA’s Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience. “These loans provide vital support for recovery, and we encourage anyone still in need to apply before the deadline.”
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is still available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit (PNP) organizations of any size including faith based organizations for capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDLs are available regardless of whether the organization suffered any physical property damage and may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Although the deadline for physical damage disaster loans has passed, there is a 60-day grace period in which SBA will accept applications until Feb. 7, 2026. The deadline to return economic injury applications is no later than July 10, 2026.
###
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.