April 13, 2023 - SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Director Tanya N. Garfield of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Field Operations Center-West announced that SBA will close its Business Recovery Center in Merced; and Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in Salinas, San Luis Obispo and Stockton on Tuesday, April 18.

“SBA opened the centers to provide personalized assistance to California businesses and residents who were affected by the severe winter storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that occurred Dec. 7, 2022 - Jan. 31, 2023. Until the centers close, SBA customer service representatives will continue to be available to meet with businesses and residents to answer their questions, explain SBA’s disaster loan program and close their approved disaster loans,” said Garfield.

Businesses and residents can meet with SBA representatives on the days and times indicated below. No appointment is necessary.

MERCED COUNTY
Business Recovery Center
UC Merced, Downtown Campus Center
First Floor Lobby
655 West 18th St.
Merced, CA  95340
Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Center closes at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 18

MONTEREY COUNTY
Disaster Loan Outreach Center
Monterey County Government Center
1441 Schilling Place
Salinas, CA  93901
Mondays - Fridays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Center closes at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 18

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
Disaster Loan Outreach Center
San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services
Conference Room – Suite 300
2101 E. Earhart Ave.
Stockton, CA  95206
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Center closes at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 18

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY
Disaster Loan Outreach Center
San Luis Obispo Library
995 Palm St.
San Luis Obispo, CA  93401
Tuesdays – Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursdays – Fridays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Center closes at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 18

Even though the deadline to apply for a loan for property damage has passed, small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size still have until Oct. 16, 2023, to apply for an economic injury disaster loan to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. Business owners may apply online using SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/.

Interest rates can be as low as 3.305 percent for businesses and 2.375 percent for private nonprofit organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/. 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. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX  76155.

The deadline to apply for economic injury is Oct. 16, 2023.

Recently, U.S. SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced a policy change granting 12 months of no payments and 0% interest. This pertains to all disaster loans approved in response to disasters declared on or after September 21, 2022, through September 30, 2023. This covers SBA disaster loans currently available for Hurricane Fiona and Hurricane Ian. This policy change will benefit disaster survivors and help them to decrease the overall cost of recovery by reducing the amount of accrued interest they must repay. Details are available through the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955. Individuals with verbal or hearing impairments may dial 7‑1-1 to access telecommunications relay services from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday, or email: disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.

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.
Source: SBA