SBA Disaster Assistance for Businesses in Response to COVID-19
Dear Texas Economic Development Partner,
On March 12, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) designated COVID-19 as a qualifying event for the provision of Economic Injury Disaster Loans for businesses and private non-profits in affected communities. Texas is currently working with the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the SBA to qualify for this declaration and we need your assistance to facilitate the declaration and certification process.
Small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and some private non-profit organizations that have suffered substantial economic injury due to COVID-19 may be eligible for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) of up to $2 million, which will provide the necessary working capital to help businesses survive until normal operations resume after a disaster. EIDL assistance will only be available to small businesses when the SBA determines they are unable to obtain credit elsewhere.
In order for Texas to receive an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Declaration, the following must occur:
- Affected businesses will need to fill out an Estimated Disaster Economic Injury Worksheet certifying the business has suffered substantial economic injury as a result of COVID-19 and are in need of financial assistance.
- The Economic Injury Worksheet should be submitted via email to the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) at [email protected].
- Once Texas has received five SBA validated Economic Injury Worksheets, Governor Greg Abbott will request the Economic Injury Disaster Declaration. A county will need to submit at least one valid Economic Injury Worksheet in order to be included on the declaration. If a business in your jurisdiction is unable to prove economic injury at this time, additional counties can be added to the declaration at a later date.
When the declaration is granted for the SBA EIDL program, applicants will receive information on how to apply for their loan. We will continue to keep you updated as additional details are released.
Please forward this information to small businesses and non-profits in your area who may qualify and encourage the submission of an application to determine eligibility. Your assistance in this effort is critical in order to facilitate the declaration and certification process.
