WASHINGTON — In response to an amended Agency declaration, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans to small businesses, private nonprofit organizations (PNP), and residents in the Texas counties of Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy affected by severe storms and tornadoes occurring April 24 – May 1.
These low-interest federal disaster loans are available in the Texas counties of Calhoun, Cameron, Cooke, Denton, DeWitt, Goliad, Hidalgo, Hood, Jack, Jackson, Johnson, Lavaca, Montague, Palo Pinto, Parker, Refugio, Tarrant, Victoria, Willacy, and Wise.
Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their verified physical damage, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors, and windows, and installing storm windows to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.
SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations — including faith‑based organizations — impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.
EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills which could not be paid due to the disaster.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.875% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.
“When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers perform an important role by assisting small businesses and their communities,” said Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the U.S. Small Business Administration. “At these centers, our SBA specialists help business owners and residents apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to support their recovery.”
Beginning today, June 2, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the following DLOC to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, and help each individual complete their application. Walk-ins are welcome, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.
The center’s hours of operations are listed below:
CAMERON COUNTY
Disaster Loan Outreach Center
San Benito Annex Building 2
705 N. Bowie St.
San Benito, TX 78586
Opens at noon, today, June 2
Mondays - Fridays, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Closed on Friday, June 19 in observance of Juneteenth Holiday
The following locations are also open and continue to serve survivors:
PARKER COUNTY
Disaster Loan Outreach Center
First United Methodist Church
109 W. Third St.
Springtown, TX 76082
Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Closes permanently Thursday, June 4 at 6:00 p.m.
VICTORIA COUNTY
Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Regional Disaster Response and Recovery Center
104 S. William St.
Victoria, TX 77901
Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Closes permanently Thursday, June 4 at 6:00 p.m.
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.
The deadline to return physical damage applications is July 6. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Feb. 8, 2027.
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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.