SBA disaster loans for Isaias damage are open to Escambia homeowners, renters and businesses, with in-person help in Ferry Pass. Property applications are due Dec. 28.

Homeowners, renters and businesses with Hurricane Isaias damage in Escambia County can now apply for low-interest federal disaster loans. The U.S. Small Business Administration opened a Business Recovery Center at the Ferry Pass Community Center on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Applications for physical damage are due Monday, Dec. 28, the SBA said in a release the city of Pensacola posted Wednesday.

Where to get help in person

The SBA center is at the Ferry Pass Community Center, 8800 N. Ninth Ave. Ferry Pass is about six miles north of downtown Pensacola.

  • Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Closed: Thursday, Nov. 26, for Thanksgiving, and Friday, Dec. 25, for Christmas
  • Last day: Monday, Dec. 28, closing at 5 p.m.

Walk-ins are welcome. You can also book an appointment at appointment.sba.gov, the SBA said.

SBA staff are also at the city’s new Disaster Multi-Agency Resource Center at the Brownsville Community Center, 3200 W. Desoto St. It is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, with FEMA and state staff too, the city said Wednesday.

What the loans cover

The loans follow the presidential disaster declaration of Oct. 27 for storm damage from Oct. 6 to 12. The SBA set these limits:

Who What for Up to
Businesses and nonprofits Real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other assets $2 million
Homeowners Repairing or replacing a primary home $500,000
Homeowners and renters Personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars and appliances $100,000

Borrowers may get up to 20% more, based on the verified damage, to make the property stronger against future storms. The SBA’s examples are wind-rated garage doors, a safe room or storm shelter, and work that protects buildings from high wind.

Small businesses, small farm cooperatives and most nonprofits can also apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan. It pays bills the business could not pay because of the storm, such as payroll and fixed debts. A business does not need physical damage to qualify. The deadline for these loans is July 27, 2027.

Rates and terms

  • Businesses: as low as 4%
  • Nonprofits: as low as 3.625%
  • Homeowners and renters: as low as 3%

Terms run up to 30 years. No interest builds up and no payment is due for 12 months after the first payout, the SBA said. It sets each loan amount based on the applicant’s finances.

Farmers and ranchers cannot get these loans, except aquaculture businesses, the SBA said.

Who else is covered

Escambia is one of eight Florida counties where both property and economic injury loans are open. The others are Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Holmes, Washington and Gulf.

In some nearby counties, only businesses and nonprofits can apply, and only for economic injury loans. They include Baldwin and Escambia counties in Alabama.

What it means for you

  • Apply online at sba.gov/disaster, call the SBA’s support center at 866-SBA-HELP or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, dial 711 for relay service.
  • Register with FEMA as well. The FEMA deadline for household aid is also Dec. 28. Here is how to apply for FEMA aid.
  • Property damage applications close Dec. 28. Economic injury applications close July 27, 2027.

Our Isaias recovery page has the latest on debris, parks and city services.