By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Washington businesses, homeowners, renters and nonprofit organizations affected by severe winter storms that struck the state between Dec. 5 and Dec. 22, 2025, are now eligible to apply for low interest federal disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The loans are intended to help residents and organizations recover from physical damage and financial losses caused by the storms.
“Through an agency declaration, SBA provides financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We offer disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofits affected by the disaster.”
The SBA disaster declaration covers the Washington counties of Chelan, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Lewis, Okanogan, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom and Yakima.
Michelle Genovese, public affairs specialist for the Office of Field Operations and Disaster Recovery in the SBA’s Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, said the agency’s disaster loan program is designed to help survivors recover financially after major disasters.
“The Small Business Administration is actually the largest source of recovery for disaster survivors,” says Genovese. “So, what we actually do is we try to bring them back to a 100% recovery. So, if their insurance provides some assistance, we can cover whatever the remaining damage is that the insurance doesn’t cover. That’s our program.”
Businesses and nonprofit organizations may apply for business physical disaster loans of up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other business assets.
Homeowners and renters may apply for home and personal property loans. Renters and homeowners may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property such as clothing, furniture, vehicles and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to repair or replace their primary residence.
Genovese said the program offers both secured and unsecured loan options depending on the applicant’s situation.
“[T]here are unsecured loan or a secured loan. Because what many people don’t realize with our loans, they do have the option,” Genovese adds. “If they do not want to put a lien on their property, which many people do not want to do at this time, they can accept a $14,000 loan unsecured. $14,000 can buy a lot of repairs and replace a lot of items.”
Genovese also said some homeowners who experienced significant damage may qualify for additional assistance.
“But if any homeowners have been substantially damaged, they may be eligible for relocation, refinancing. So, we try to help out all survivors recover and get back to a 100% recovery,” she continued.
Applicants may also qualify for mitigation funding to help protect property from future disasters. Eligible applicants may receive a loan increase of up to 20 percent of their verified physical damage to fund improvements such as insulating pipes, walls and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows.
Another option available to businesses and nonprofit organizations is the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program. The program provides working capital to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and private nonprofit organizations, including faith based organizations, that experienced financial losses directly related to the storms.
The SBA does not provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.
“EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage,” Genovese explains. “They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.”
According to Genovese, loan terms vary depending on the applicant’s financial situation.
“Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for PNPs, and 2.875% for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition,” Genovese adds.
Once Federal State Disaster Recovery Centers open throughout the affected areas, SBA representatives will provide one on one assistance to help applicants complete the loan process.
Stallings said preparation before disasters occur can also help communities recover more quickly.
“Plan early. Take advantage of your blue-sky days,” says Stallings. “When disaster strikes, we’re here to provide solutions and guidance to help you recover.”
Residents and businesses can obtain more information by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955.
Applicants may also apply online at sba.gov/disaster. Additional assistance is available by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability may dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The deadline to return physical damage applications is April 27. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Nov. 24.
