Disaster Resources

Authored By: California Office of the Small Business Advocate

Contents

Information

If you have been affected by recent wildfires, drought or other declared disasters, California has resources available to help you.

 

Disaster Assistance

The state offers lending programs to small businesses to support their capital needs. These programs offer specialized support during a disaster.

 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) oversees the applications process for Individual Assistance (IA) and Public Assistance (PA).

Individual Assistance (IA) is available to individuals and households who have sustained losses as a direct result of a disaster that receives a federal disaster declaration.

Public Assistance (PA) can fund the repair, restoration, reconstruction or replacement of eligible public or certain nonprofit facilities or infrastructure damaged or destroyed by a disaster.

How to apply for disaster assistance through FEMA?

  1. Visit disasterassistance.gov and click “Lets Get Started” to determine your eligibility.
  2. Create an account on Login.gov
  3. Gather your personal information
  4. Fill out the application
  5. Review and send your application

FEMA Disaster Assistance Frequently Asked Questions

FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are facilities and mobile offices set up in or near affected communities, in an area that offers equal access and resources to everyone after a disaster. FEMA staff may be able to guide you to the help you need after a disaster. after a disaster. DRCs are open to all disaster survivors.

Watch this video to learn more about FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers.

Visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to:

  • Learn about disaster assistance programs
  • Apply for disaster assistance
  • Check the status of your FEMA application
  • Help you understand FEMA notices or letters
  • Find Housing and rental assistance information
  • Get referrals to agencies that offer other assistance
  • Meet with a Small Business Administration (SBA) agent

How do you locate you nearest Disaster Recovery Center?

Questions? Contact the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).

For assistance in identifying and applying for FEMA disaster assistance, you may also contact your local Small Business Center. 

 

US Small Business Administration (SBA)

The US Small Business Administration provides low-interest disaster loans to help businesses and homeowners recover from declared disasters.

Watch this video to learn more about how SBA loans can help you recover after a disaster.

Types of SBA Disaster Loans

Physical Damage Loans – Loans to cover repairs and replacement of physical assets damaged in a declared disaster.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans – Funding to cover small business operating expenses after a declared disaster.

Mitigation Assistance – Expanded funding to make improvements to eliminate future damage.

Military Reservist Loan – SBA provides loans to help eligible small businesses with operating expenses to make up for employees on active duty leave.

How to Get Disaster Assistance through the SBA?

  1. Check For Active Disaster Declarations
  2. Apply for a Disaster Loan
  3. Check Your Status

Contact the SBA’s Customer Service Center at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or at (800) 659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

For assistance in identifying and applying for SBA disaster assistance, you may also contact your local Small Business Center. 

 

CA Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBANK)

IBank offers loan programs for businesses affected by disasters in California.

IBank, a unit within California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), offers the following loan programs for businesses from one to 750 employees (small businesses):

DISASTER RELIEF LOAN GUARANTEE PROGRAM (DRLGP)

IBank will issue loan guarantees up to 95 percent of the loan through its partner Financial Development Corporations to help small business borrowers who were impacted by disasters or public safety power shutoffs and who need term loans or lines of credit for working capital. Small businesses, including small farms, nurseries, agriculture-related enterprises and nonprofits that have suffered an economic loss Resources for Businesses and/or physical damage may apply. This disaster program will help lenders and small businesses by providing loan guarantees of up to $1 million for small business borrowers in declared disaster areas.

JUMP START LOAN PROGRAM

IBank is offering loans from $500 to $10,000 to low-wealth entrepreneurs in the declared disaster and emergency areas through its Jump Start Loan Program. IBank established the Jump Start Loan Program in 2016 as a small loan and financial literacy/technical assistance program designed for low-income small businesses in low-wealth communities, including businesses owned by women, minorities, veterans, people with disabilities and those previously incarcerated. Access to IBank’s Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program and Jump Start Loan Program can be made through its partner Financial Development Corporations (FDCs)

For more information on how to apply, visit the IBANK website

Contact Information

IBANK website

1-916-341-6600 

 

California State Treasurer's Office

Designed to provide up to 100% coverage on certain loan defaults.

CALIFORNIA CAPITAL ACCESS PROGRAM (CalCAP)

Find more information at the California State Treasurer’s Office website.

The California Capital Access Program for Small Business (CalCAPSB or Program) encourages banks and other financial institutions to make loans to small businesses that have difficulty obtaining financing. If you own a small business and need a loan for start-up, expansion or working capital, you may receive more favorable loan terms from a lender if your loan is enrolled in the CalCAP Loan Loss Reserve Program. This program helps communities by providing financing to businesses that create jobs and improve the economy. Loans are available up to $5 million.

CalCAP is a loan loss reserve program which may provide up to 100% coverage on losses as a result of certain loan defaults. With CalCAP portfolio support, a lender may be more comfortable underwriting small business loans.

If your business is in an economically distressed geographic area, also known as a “Severely Affected Community” (SAC), your loan may be eligible for credit enhancements. To complete the SAC certification form, visit the California’s State Treasurer’s Office Website.

Check to see if your commercial lender or financial institution participates in or find a participating lender. If your financial institution does not currently participate, it is easy for lenders to sign up. Please have your institution complete the Financial Institution Application and send to CalCAP to get started.

To find a participating lender, visit the California State Treasurer’s Office website

Financial Institution Application available at the California State Treasurer’s Office website

Email completed applications to the Treasurer’s Office, calcap@treasurer.gov.

Contact Information

California State Treasurer’s Office website

(916) 653-2995 

 

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

When a tornado, flood, or drought strikes, or a quarantine is imposed by the Secretary of Agriculture, or when other natural disasters occur, FSA’s Emergency loan program is there to help eligible farmers and ranchers rebuild and recover from sustained losses.

Emergency Farm Loans

The Emergency loan program is triggered when a natural disaster is designated by the Secretary of Agriculture or a natural disaster or emergency is declared by the President under the Stafford Act. These loans help producers who suffer qualifying farm related losses directly caused by the disaster in a county declared or designated as a primary disaster or quarantine area. Also, farmers located in counties that are contiguous to the declared, designated, or quarantined area may qualify for Emergency loans.

For production losses, a 30% reduction in a primary crop in a designated or contiguous county is required. Losses to quality, such as receiving a 30% reduced price for flood damaged crops, may be eligible for assistance, too.

USDA Emergency Loan Program Factsheet

USDA Emergency Farm Loan website

USDA Drought Declarations 

 

California Disaster Relief Recovery and Resilience Fund

The League of California Community Foundations and Philanthropy California direct monetary donations to the California Disaster Relief Recovery and Resilience Fund, which deploys resources to impacted communities through community foundations.

 

Last Review and Update: Jan 16, 2025
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