SBA's post-Florence relief still available after deadline

The Small Business Administration’s Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Wilmington’s Independence Mall offers help to Hurricane Florence survivors.

WILMINGTON — The Small Business Administration’s Disaster Loan Outreach Center is still offering assistance to survivors of Hurricane Florence even after the Dec. 19 deadline, according to a news release from the SBA.

Although the physical damage loan deadline has passed, survivors may still apply for a SBA disaster loan, but they should provide a written explanation for missing the deadline.

Survivors can still receive face-to-face assistance at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center located in the former Sears store at Independence Mall, 3500 Oleander Drive. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

At the DLOC, survivors can obtain program information and receive help in submitting an SBA disaster loan application as well as assistance for those survivors with the SBA appeal process for declined applications.

Applicants may still apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via the SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov.

Additional details on the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded at www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be returned to a recovery center or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

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