Texas Storm Relief: How to Apply for SBA Disaster Loans
Help Is Available, But the Deadline Is Coming Up
After a brutally hot summer and several dangerous windstorms that swept through Texas, financial help is finally on the table. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit organizations that they still have time to apply for federal disaster loans.
These low-interest loans are designed to help businesses that suffered economic losses due to extreme heat and high winds between June 1 and Dec. 31, 2024.
The deadline to apply is Dec. 11, 2025.
West Texas Is Included
For those of us in West Texas who dealt with scorching temperatures and damaging storms in 2024, it’s reassuring to see our counties listed. This disaster declaration covers over 70 Texas counties, including:
Callahan, Coke, Coleman, Concho, Fisher, Haskell, Jones, Nolan, Runnels, Scurry, Shackelford, Sterling, Stonewall, Taylor, Tom Green, and more.
Even nearby counties in New Mexico (Lea) and Oklahoma (Beckham, Ellis, and Roger Mills) qualify.
Who Can Apply?
These loans are not just for traditional storefronts.
Eligible entities include:
- Small businesses
- Private nonprofits
- Faith-based organizations
- Small agricultural cooperatives
- Nurseries
- Aquaculture businesses
Producers, farmers, and ranchers generally aren’t eligible unless they are operating aquaculture.
What Can the Loans Be Used For?
Unlike other disaster programs, you don’t have to show physical damage to qualify.
These loans are focused on economic injury, including:
- Payroll
- Rent or mortgage
- Utilities
- Fixed debts
Bills the business couldn’t pay because of the disaster
Loans may be up to $2 million, with interest rates starting as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for nonprofits.
Payments don’t begin for 12 months, and terms can stretch up to 30 years.
How to Apply
Businesses can apply online or get more information:
- sba.gov/disaster
(800) 659-2955
disastercustomerservice@sba.gov
Relay services (7-1-1) are available for the deaf and hard of hearing.
The SBA will continue accepting applications for up to 60 days after the deadline, but businesses are encouraged to apply before Dec. 11, 2025.
Final Thought
Texas businesses are resilient, we’ve proved that time and time again. But even the strongest among us need a hand when storms wipe out revenue and heat shuts down operations.
If your business struggled because of our extreme 2024 weather, don’t leave relief money sitting on the table.
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