US Small Business Administration to offer federal assistance to residents & businesses in Western New York impacted by late-December blizzard

SBA to provide low-interest loans to eligible residents and businesses affected by Winter Storm Elliott in Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Niagara & Wyoming counties
√ State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services worked alongside Erie County officials to conduct required preliminary damage assessments in impacted communities

√ In-person disaster loan outreach centers will open in Erie County, loan applications also available online here

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the U.S. Small Business Administration will offer federal assistance to New Yorkers in Western New York affected by Winter Storm Elliott in late December. Residents and businesses in Erie, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Niagara and Wyoming counties are now eligible to apply for low-interest loans to aid in their recovery from this historic storm, which devastated the entire region over the Christmas holiday.

"My heart breaks for the families who lost loved ones during this once-in-a-generation blizzard that wreaked havoc on my hometown of Buffalo, and the lasting impacts of the storm have not gone away," Hochul said. "New Yorkers who suffered infrastructure damages as a result of the storm will now be able to access services from the U.S. Small Business Administration. These critical resources, in addition to our request for President Biden's approval for a major disaster declaration, will help provide necessary assistance for our local communities still recovering."

A press release stated, “SBA loans are often helpful when eligible homeowners, renters, businesses and others need financial support following emergencies or weather-related disasters. Following the event, staff from the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and Erie County conducted a thorough assessment of the damages related to this storm, which allowed for SBA assistance.”

The following groups may be eligible for SBA disaster loans:

√ Homeowners: Up to $200,000 to repair their primary residence;

√ Homeowners and renters: Up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property;

√ Business owners: Up to $2,000,000 for the replacement of real property, inventories, machinery, equipment and other physical losses; and

√ Businesses and nonprofits: Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to $2,000,000 to provide necessary working capital until normal operations resume after a disaster

New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, "Gov. Hochul and DHSES will continue to work alongside our emergency response partners in impacted communities to ensure New Yorkers get the resources and tools they need to properly recover."

DHSES is working with Erie County and the SBA to open two physical locations for disaster loan outreach centers (DLOCs) to help New Yorkers apply in-person for assistance. Customer support representatives will be available to assist applicants with completing the application as well as answer questions about the SBA disaster loan program.

New Yorkers can apply online, find additional information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA's customer service center at 800-659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, can dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is April 28. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Nov. 27.