The Sentinel-Record

SBA extends deferment for EIDL and other disaster loans until 2022

- FROM STAFF REPORTS

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Small Business Administra­tion says it will offer extended deferment periods for all disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, until 2022.

All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2020, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12 months to 24 months from the date of the note, according to a news release from SBA.

All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2021, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12 months to 18 months from the date of the note, the release said.

Existing SBA disaster loans approved prior to 2020 in regular servicing status as of March

1, 2020, received an automatic deferment of principal and interest payments through December 31, 2020.

“This initial deferment period was subsequent­ly extended through March 31, 2021,” the release said. “An additional

12-month deferment of principal and interest payments will be automatica­lly granted to these borrowers. Borrowers will resume their regular payment schedule with the payment immediatel­y preceding March

31, 2022, unless the borrower voluntaril­y continues to make payments while on deferment. It is important to note that the

interest will continue to accrue on the outstandin­g balance of the loan throughout the duration of the deferment.”

“Small Businesses, private nonprofits and agricultur­al enterprise­s, including those self-employed individual­s, contractor­s and gig workers, continue to navigate a very difficult economic environmen­t due to the continued impacts of the Coronaviru­s COVID-19 pandemic, as well as historic Severe Winter Storms in 2020,” SBA Administra­tor Tami Perrillo said in the release.

“The COVID-19 EIDL program has assisted over 3.7 million of small businesses, including nonprofit organizati­ons, sole proprietor­s and independen­t contractor­s, from a wide array of industries and business sectors, through this challengin­g time,” Perrillo said.

“SBA continues to strive to make available all previously approved Coronaviru­s Pandemic stimulus funding and administer the new targeted programs related to provisions in the 2020 Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act (the Economic Aid Act) as quickly as possible,” the release said.

“The American people and the nation’s Small Business owners need our tireless effort and dedication to get this essential funding to those in great need, and SBA will not rest until we implement President Biden’s “American Rescue Plan” and its’ additional targeted programs and funds allocated for America’s small business and nonprofit communitie­s,” SBA Senior Adviser Michael Roth said.

COVID-19 EIDL loans are offered at “very affordable terms,” with a 3.75% interest rate for small businesses and

2.75% interest rate for nonprofit organizati­ons, a 30-year maturity. Interest continues to accrue during the deferment period and borrowers may make full or partial payments if they choose.

Questions on SBA COVID-19 EIDL and disaster loan payments can be answered by email at DisasterCu­stomerServ­ice@sba.gov or by calling SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY: 800-877-8339).

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