Florida – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding those affected by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria that they have the right appeal their SBA Disaster Loan application decision.
The SBA provides survivors who were not approved for a loan with a letter explaining the reason why they were denied, their rights to a reconsideration or appeal, and information needed to begin the appeal process. Low-interest disaster loans are distributed to all kinds of businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters in hurricane-affected areas such as Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“If the SBA does not approve a survivor’s disaster loan application that does not mean the process is over,” said the director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East, Frank Skaggs. “Survivors have the right to appeal SBA’s decisions. We want to be sure that everybody receives the assistance that is appropriate for them.”
Those who are dissatisfied with their SBA loan decision should review the instructions provided in their decision letters to request a second review of their application. The SBA urges survivors to thoroughly explain their problems with the decision and includes any information or documentation that could help garnish positive results. Survivors are encouraged to call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (or 800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov., or visit a recovery center to seek help with their case.
Survivors are reminded that they have six months from the date of their decision letter to appeal. Loan applications can be found at www.sba.gov. Survivors can apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) at disasterloan.sba.gov. Completed applications should be taken to a recovery center or mailed to:
U.S. Small Business Administration
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155
For more information on SBA loans, head to www.sba.gov/disaster. Photo courtesy Mike Focus and Shutterstock.com. Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2018.
