Disaster Recovery Resources

1. Remember that recovery can be a long-term process depending on the severity of the disaster. Recovery can last many weeks, months and even years.
2. Be diligent in the practice of self-care. Take advantage of mental health resources that are available to you. Do not skip meals. Be sure to exercise. Get enough sleep. These simple daily activities will help create stability as you navigate a new reality.
3. Know that you may need extra time processing information that is given to you. Be patient with yourself and engage with services and resources when the time is right.
4. Be your own advocate. Know your rights as an insurance holder and what federal and state resources are available to you. Connect with your local Small Business Development Center to learn about available local, state and federal resources you may be entitled to.
5. Ask for assistance even if you do not think it is necessary in that moment. If your business has been impacted by a federally declared disaster, be sure to take advantage of all federal resources available to you. For example, in the event of a federally declared disaster, the SBA offers low low-interests to businesses that have been impacted. You may not think that you need a loan immediately after a disaster, but depending on the severity, cashflow and sales may be impacted in the coming weeks and months.

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers federal low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters. CLICK HERE to learn more about the lending options below. SBA Customer Service #: 1.800.659.2955

Loans for those in declared disaster areas: CLICK HERE to check if you are in a declared disaster area.

• Business Physical Disaster Loans: businesses may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans* (EIDL): up to $2 million in working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
• Home Disaster Loans: homeowners or renters may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property, including automobiles.

Loans for those in undeclared disaster areas:

• Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL): up to $2 million in working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.

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EDC DISASTER BRIDGE LOAN FUND

In addition to our traditional EDC loan funds, EDC is offering 4.25% interest loans from $5,000- $50,000 and a 48-month term through our Disaster Bridge Loan Fund to give a cash flow boost to businesses. Email loans@edcollaborative.com or call 805.409.9497 for more information.

START HERE

1. Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool CLICK HERE
2. Farm Loan Discovery Tool CLICK HERE
3. Full list of USDA disaster-related resources CLICK HERE

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA)

 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a variety of programs for agricultural producers that have been impacted by natural disasters. Disaster assistance is provided by three agencies within USDA:

• USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA): assists products in recovering from the impacts of natural disasters CLICK HERE
• USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA): helps strengthen the economic stability of agricultural producers and rural communities CLICK HERE
• USA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): offers financial and technical assistance on conservation efforts CLICK HERE

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 USDA RISK MANAGEMENT 

• Producers who have risk protection through RMA Federal Crop Insurance (FIC) should report crop damage to their crop insurance agent within 72 hours of damage discovery and follow up in writing within 15 days.
• For FSA Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) covered crops, a Notice of Loss must be filled with the local FAS office within 15 days of the loss becoming apparent, expect for hand-harvested crops, which should be reported within 72 hours.
• Producers who have not applied for NAP coverage may still be covered. Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification, on file prior to the applicable NAP application closing date will automatically receive basic coverage for any NAP-eligible crops they plant. Like all other covered producers, underserved producers will still need to file a notice of loss and apply for benefits.

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 USDA CONSERVATION

• FSA Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): helps farmers and ranchers repair damage to farmlands caused by natural disasters and put in place methods for water conservation during severe drought. CLICK HERE
• FSA Emergency Forest Restoration Program (FRP): helps the owners of non-industrial private forests restore forest health damaged by natural disasters. CLICK HERE
• NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP): provides assistance to local government sponsors with the cost of addressing watershed impairments or hazards such as debris removal and streambank stabilization. EWP does NOT require a disaster declaration by federal or state government officials for program assistance to begin. CLICK HERE

The EDC Small Business Development Center provides NO-COST advising to businesses impacted by disasters, including:

• Counseling for financial, accounting, marketing and other post-disaster challenges
• Management and technical assistance
• Business planning to help business owners re-establish their operations and plan for their future
• Assistance with updating or rewriting business plans

Call 805.409.9159 or CLICK HERE to get started.

DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (DUA)

Disaster Unemployment Assistance is a federal program that provides financial assistance to jobless workers and the self-employed when they are unemployed as a direct result of a major disaster. When a major disaster has been declared by the President, DUA is generally available to any unemployed worker or self-employed individual who lived, worked or was scheduled to work in the disaster area at the time of the disaster; and due to the disaster:

• No longer has a job or place to work; or
• Cannot reach the place of work; or
• Cannot work due to damage to the place of work; or
• Cannot work because of an injury caused by the disaster; or
• Is now head of household and is seeking work because the former head of household died as a result of the disaster.

CLICK HERE for more information and to apply with the Employment Development Department.

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UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (UI) BENEFITS

Unemployment benefits are available for self-employed individuals and employees. If you are out of work or have had your hours reduced, you may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. CLICK HERE to apply for unemployment with the Employment Development Department.

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EDD WORKSHARE PROGRAM

The EDD Workshare Program allows employers to seek an alternative to layoffs – retaining their trained employees by reducing their hours and wages that can be partially offset with UI benefits. Visit the Work Sharing Program website CLICK HERE to learn more about its benefits for employers and employees, and how to apply. Note: Nonprofits are not eligible to participate in EDD Workshare.

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WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Local Workforce Development Boards help businesses who need assistance in growing, training or downsizing their workforce. When a business is considering closing or laying off employees, Rapid Response teams can:

• Assist the business during the transition
• Help minimize unemployment by providing customized training, incumbent worker training and on-the-job training
• Provide free information and resources to the affected workers

Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board CLICK HERE

Ventura County Workforce Development Board CLICK HERE

Santa Barbara County Workforce Development Board CLICK HERE

DISASTER PREPARDNESS CHECKLIST

1. Know Your Risk
2. Take the Necessary Precautions
3. Always Protect Your Data
4. Make Plans to Work with Limited Cash, No Water, Sewer or Power for up to Two Weeks
5. Protect Your Employees
6. Contact Your Customers & Suppliers
7. Review Your Insurance Coverage

For full details, review the EDC’s Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency Toolkit for Businesses. CLICK HERE FOR ENGLISH or CLICK HERE FOR SPANISH

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OUTSMART DISASTER

Are you prepared for the next big disaster? EDC is partnering with the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the California Academy for Economic Development, and Edison International to promote the statewide Outsmart Disaster campaign! The Outsmart Disaster campaign equips businesses with the tools and resources they need to be prepared for disaster. Here’s two ways you can take immediate action for your business:

• Take the Resilient Business Challenge: a self-guided, give-step process to help your business become more resilient. CLICK HERE to take the challenge.
• Watch a recording of a Disaster Resiliency Clinic and receive a walkthrough of the basics of preparedness and the campaign’s Resilient Business Challenge:
  • CLICK HERE for the English Version
  • CLICK HERE for the Spanish Version

Questions? Reach out to the Outsmart Disaster Team at arroyo@outsmartdisaster.com.