SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
Small Business Administration
Up to $2,000,000
Disaster working capital at low rates
Low-interest federal disaster loans for small businesses, private nonprofits, and agricultural cooperatives that suffer substantial economic injury following a presidential or SBA disaster declaration. Loans cover working capital — payroll, rent, accounts payable — when a declared disaster causes revenue loss. The COVID-19 EIDL is permanently closed; this record covers the standard disaster EIDL only. Loans up to $2M at 3–4% interest with up to 30-year terms.
- Funding type
- Loan
- Level
- Federal
- Amount range
- $1,000 – $2,000,000
- Realistic amount
- Median EIDL awards following major disaster declarations have historically ranged $50,000–$200,000. The $2M cap applies…
- Deadline
- Disaster-specific — application window opens on declaration date and closes based on disaster type (typically 9 months for economic injury). Check sba.gov/disaster for active deadlines.
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- advance
Who qualifies
- Located in a county (or contiguous county) covered by an active SBA or Presidential Disaster Declaration
- Small business meeting SBA size standards for your industry (NAICS-based — typically <500 employees for manufacturing; revenue thresholds for services)
- Private nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) and similar — most eligible)
- Small agricultural cooperatives and aquaculture enterprises (not individual farmers, who use USDA Farm Service Agency programs)
- Must demonstrate 'substantial economic injury' — inability to meet ordinary and necessary operating expenses as a result of the disaster
- Must be unable to obtain credit elsewhere at reasonable terms without SBA assistance
- Owner(s) of 20%+ must provide personal guarantee
- No delinquency on existing SBA loans or federal obligations
- Must have a satisfactory credit history (SBA reviews personal and business credit)
Hard requirements
- Requires federal certification:
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Payroll costs (wages, salaries, commissions, employee benefits) for disaster period
- Rent and lease payments for business premises
- Fixed debt payments (mortgages, equipment loans, term loans) — ordinary obligations the business cannot meet due to the disaster
- Accounts payable — supplier invoices and normal trade obligations
- Operating expenses: utilities, insurance premiums, professional services
- Federal, state, and local tax obligations
- Inventory replacement needed for ongoing operations
Ineligible expenses
- Expansion of the business beyond pre-disaster scope
- Refinancing existing long-term debt not related to the disaster
- Repairing or replacing physical property (use SBA Physical Disaster Business Loan instead)
- Payment of dividends, bonuses, or owner distributions
- Repaying loans owed to principals or owners
- Paying down federal debt obligations (taxes owed to IRS)
- Relocation expenses (without SBA written approval)
- Costs that duplicate FEMA assistance already received
How to apply
-
1
Confirm an active disaster declaration covers your location
Go to sba.gov/disaster and search for active declarations by state or disaster number. Verify your county (or an adjacent county) is listed in the declaration. If the disaster is fresh, check daily — SBA often adds counties after the initial declaration.
~1 hrs
-
2
Apply online at the SBA Disaster Loan Assistance portal
Create an account at disasterloanassistance.sba.gov and complete the online application. You'll need: business tax returns (3 years if available), personal tax returns for 20%+ owners, a list of business assets and liabilities, a personal financial statement (SBA Form 413), and a description of how the disaster caused economic injury. The online portal saves your progress — you can return to complete it.
~8 hrs
-
3
SBA verifies loan eligibility and orders appraisal
SBA processes your application, checks credit, and orders property appraisals for loans over $500K requiring real estate collateral. For most working-capital-only EIDLs under $500K, no appraisal is required — SBA relies on filed tax returns and the business asset schedule. SBA may request additional documentation via the online portal.
~2 hrs
-
4
Review and sign Loan Authorization
If approved, SBA sends a Loan Authorization and Agreement detailing the amount, interest rate, term, collateral, and use-of-proceeds restrictions. Review carefully — you may accept a lower amount than offered if collateral requirements are a concern. Sign electronically through the portal.
~2 hrs
-
5
Receive funds and comply with reporting requirements
First disbursement (often $25,000–$50,000) arrives within 3–5 days of loan closing. Subsequent draws are available through the portal. Maintain records of all disaster-related expenses — SBA may audit use of proceeds. File annual financial statements with SBA for the loan term.
~2 hrs
Apply immediately after a declaration — SBA's processing speed drops sharply after the first 60 days as volume spikes. Even if you're uncertain, submit early and withdraw later; early applicants receive priority disbursement.
Deadline & timing
EIDLs are NOT available on a rolling basis. A presidential major disaster declaration or SBA disaster declaration must first be issued for your county or an adjacent county. Once declared, SBA opens the EIDL application window — typically 8–12 months. Applications for natural disasters (hurricanes, floods, wildfires) follow FEMA declarations. Monitor sba.gov/disaster for active declarations. COVID-19 EIDL (Portal ID COVID19) is permanently closed as of May 2023.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.