WEST CHESTER, PA – September 14, 2021 – Chester County residents and businesses affected by the remnants of Hurricane Ida can now apply for low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). This service is in addition to the FEMA federal disaster assistance made available to Chester County, as well as Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and York Counties, through last week’s Presidential Disaster Declaration. 

Under the SBA disaster assistance program, certain Chester County homeowners, renters and business owners can apply for loans to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, and to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property. 

Business and private nonprofit organizations of any size that qualify, may borrow funds to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Mitigation improvement loans may also be available to businesses and nonprofit organizations. 

The SBA federal loans can help with losses not covered by insurance or the FEMA disaster assistance, as well as business operating expenses that could have been met had Hurricane Ida not occurred. 

“The addition of this SBA low-interest loan program is welcome news for those whose homes and businesses have been devasted by Ida, and who are looking at all options to recover financially,” said Mike Murphy, Director of the Chester County Department of Emergency Services. 

“This is another step in moving forward, and in addition to the federal financial support, staff throughout Chester County government will continue to help with the housing, physical health, mental health, and other services needed to ensure complete recovery from this disaster,” he added. 

Chester County residents and businesses that have sustained damage caused by Hurricane Ida can start their application process for all funding assistance options by registering at http://www.disasterassistance.gov, or by calling the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. 

In-person registration for assistance and information will be available at Chester County’s FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), the location of which will be announced in the coming days. 

For all current and future information related to Hurricane Ida support and recovery in Chester County, including more information on the SBA disaster loan assistance program, go to www.chesco.org/ida. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to supplement commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Ida. Chester County is included in the declared area and this will open up Individual Assistance and Hazard Mitigation funding to assist our residents and businesses in recovering.

Residents and businesses can start the process now by either filing a claim online at www.disasterassistance.gov or calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Planning is underway to establish a Disaster Recover Center (DRC) at a physical location in Chester County where residents can visit in person to file claims and meet with state, local, and federal resources. More info will be shared once that is finalized.

As individuals register with FEMA, a FEMA contracted inspector will contact them to set up an inspection of their residence. They will be carrying FEMA or a FEMA contractor badge. The inspector contractor coordinator asked that we notify our county and local law enforcement that these inspectors will have a FEMA ID. If they don’t have a FEMA ID, and they don’t show it when asked, they probably aren’t a FEMA inspector. Unfortunately after disasters there is an increase for potential fraud and we want to make sure everyone is aware of what will be happening in their respective municipalities. We received word that these FEMA contracted inspectors will be hitting the streets as soon as today to start inspections.