SBA Opens Disaster Loans in Six Florida Counties
Low-interest loans are now available for damaged homes, businesses and nonprofits in six Florida counties hit by the Oct. 26 storms.
WASHINGTON — Businesses, residents and private nonprofits in six Florida counties affected by the severe storms and flooding on Oct. 26 are now eligible for low-interest federal disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Florida Realtors Disaster Relief Fund Open
Realtors®, their employees and staff at local associations in Brevard and Lake counties can now apply for help through the Disaster Relief Fund following the heavy rain and flash floods that swept the area during the weekend of Oct. 25. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2026.
The declaration covers Brevard, Indian River, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties, which qualify for both physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The SBA issued a disaster declaration after receiving a request from Gov. Ron DeSantis on Nov. 7.
Businesses and private 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. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Jan. 6, 2026. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Aug. 7, 2026.
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 also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.
“When disasters strike, SBA's Disaster Loan Outreach Centers play a vital role in helping small businesses and their communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “At these centers, SBA specialists assist business owners and residents with disaster loan applications and provide information on the full range of recovery programs available.”
SBA's loan program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations with financial losses directly related to the disaster for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used for fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for private nonprofits and 3% 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 conditions.
Since Thursday, SBA customer service representatives have been on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach Centers in the primary county of Brevard to answer questions about SBA's disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov.
Brevard County Titusville Library
2121 S. Hopkins Ave
Titusville, FL 32780
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Closed: Sunday
- Temporary closed: Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27
- Permanently closing: Thursday, Dec. 4 at 4:00 p.m.
Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. 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.
Source: SBA
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