SBA Disaster Loan Application Guide (2025)
When a disaster strikes — hurricane, flood, wildfire, earthquake, or economic crisis — the SBA's disaster loan programs provide critical low-interest financing to help businesses and homeowners recover. Here's everything you need to know about applying.
Types of SBA Disaster Loans
- Physical Disaster Business Loans: Up to $2M to repair or replace damaged business property, inventory, machinery, and equipment
- Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): Up to $2M for working capital to cover revenue losses from a disaster
- Home and Personal Property Loans: Up to $500K for homeowners; up to $100K for personal property
- Military Reservist Economic Injury Loans (MREIDL): For businesses affected by the call-up of an essential employee to active duty
How to Apply
- Confirm your area is in a declared disaster: Visit SBA.gov/disaster or DisasterAssistance.gov
- Apply online at lending.sba.gov — the fastest method, available 24/7
- Or apply by mail or in-person at an SBA disaster recovery center (set up after major events)
- Complete all required forms: SBA Form 5 (business), SBA Form 413 (personal financial statement), tax returns, and damage documentation
- An SBA inspector will visit to assess physical damage — be prepared to provide access
- Loan officer review and decision, typically 2–4 weeks after complete application
Required Documents
- SBA Form 5 (Business Disaster Loan Application)
- Tax Information Authorization (IRS Form 4506-C) for 3 years
- Last 3 years of business tax returns
- Personal financial statement (SBA Form 413)
- Monthly sales figures (SBA Form 1368)
- Schedule of liabilities (SBA Form 2202)
- Photos of disaster damage
- Insurance documentation
EIDL vs Physical Disaster Loan: Which Do You Need?
Many businesses qualify for both — and often apply for both simultaneously:
- Physical Disaster Loan: Use if your physical property (building, equipment, inventory) was damaged
- EIDL: Use if the disaster caused revenue loss even without physical damage — for example, a business forced to close due to a natural disaster affecting its customer base
Checking Your Application Status
Track your disaster loan application at lending.sba.gov using your application number and Social Security Number or EIN. Our Disaster Loan Status Tracker provides a direct link and explains each status code.
Appealing a Denial
If your application is declined, you have 6 months from the decline letter date to file an appeal with the SBA's Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience. Submit new or additional documentation that addresses the reason for denial. Working with an SBA resource partner (SCORE, SBDC) during the appeal is highly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
The SBA offers Physical Disaster Loans (for damaged property), Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL, for revenue loss), Home Disaster Loans (for homeowners and renters), and Military Reservist Economic Injury Loans.
The SBA activates disaster loan programs when the President or SBA Administrator declares a disaster in your county. Check the SBA's disaster declarations page or your state emergency management agency.
The EIDL program has a standard maximum of $2 million for economic injury. Interest rates are 4% for small businesses and 2.75% for nonprofits, with terms up to 30 years.
Physical disaster loan deadlines are typically 60 days after the disaster declaration. EIDL deadlines are usually 9 months after the declaration. Check SBA.gov for the deadline specific to your declared disaster.