Small Enterprise Emergency Bridge Mortgage Program (DEO)
Governor Rick Scott activated the Florida Small Enterprise Emergency Bridge Mortgage Program to help small companies impacted by Hurricane Irma.
The bridge mortgage program, managed by the Florida Division of Financial Alternative (DEO), will present short-term, interest-free loans to small companies that skilled bodily or financial injury throughout the storm. Bridge loans present working capital to “bridge the hole” between the time a significant disaster hits and when a enterprise has secured long term restoration sources, together with cost of insurance coverage claims or longer-term Small Enterprise Administration loans. As much as $10 million has been allotted for this system.
DEO is at the moment surveying companies within the affected counties. To entry the enterprise survey, please click on HERE and choose “Hurricane Irma” from the drop-down menu. Response to the injury evaluation shouldn’t be an utility for help, so companies that fill out the survey and have an interest within the bridge mortgage program should fill out a bridge mortgage utility as properly.
Small enterprise house owners with two to 100 staff positioned in any of Florida’s 67 counties affected by Hurricane Irma can apply for short-term loans as much as $25,000. These interest-free loans are granted when it comes to 90 or 180 days. To be eligible, a enterprise should have been established previous to Sept. 4, 2017, and display financial harm or bodily injury on account of Hurricane Irma.
To finish an utility by the Oct. 31, 2017 deadline, or for extra info on this system, go to www.floridadisasterloan.org.
For questions concerning the Emergency Bridge Mortgage Program, contact the Florida Small Enterprise Growth Heart Community at 850-898-3489 or e mail [email protected]. The telephone line can be answered throughout common enterprise hours; all voice mails and emails can be responded to inside 24 hours.
SBA Loans
Small Enterprise Administration (SBA) loans are additionally out there for bigger quantities and longer phrases.
Small companies, agricultural cooperatives, companies engaged in aquaculture, and most non-public, nonprofit organizations of all sizes struggling substantial financial harm could also be eligible for a U.S. SBA Financial Harm Catastrophe Mortgage of as much as $2 million to fulfill mandatory monetary obligations – bills the enterprise would have paid if the catastrophe had not occurred.
The net SBA Catastrophe Mortgage utility might be accessed at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/
Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA) Grants for People
Should you dwell in one of many disaster-designated Florida counties and skilled property injury or loss instantly attributable to Hurricane Irma, register with the Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA) for catastrophe help – even you probably have insurance coverage. This may be an necessary step to start the method of restoration.
You might register for help the next methods:
- On-line at www.DisasterAssistance.gov
- Should you don’t have Web entry, you’ll be able to name 800-621-3362.
- Individuals who have a speech incapacity or listening to loss and use TTY ought to name 800-462-7585.
- For individuals who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), name 800-621-3362.
- These toll-free phone numbers will function from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (EST) seven days per week till additional discover.
FEMA help for people might embody grants for hire, momentary housing and residential repairs to their major residences, in addition to funding for different critical disaster-related wants, resembling medical, dental or funeral prices. In case you have insurance coverage, FEMA should still be capable to help with disaster-related bills that have been underinsured or not coated by your coverage.
What to Count on
After you apply, a FEMA inspector will contact you to schedule an inspection. The inspection typically takes 30-40 minutes or much less and consists of a common verification of your disaster-related losses and a evaluate of possession or residence information. There isn’t any charge for the inspection.
When a FEMA housing inspector comes to go to your private home, make certain they present you correct identification. All FEMA inspectors have distinguished photograph identification badges. Should you suspect somebody is posing as a FEMA housing inspector, name our toll-free Catastrophe Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721, or name native regulation enforcement officers.
As soon as the inspection course of is full, your state of affairs can be reviewed by FEMA. You’ll obtain a letter by e mail or bodily mail, relying in your choice, which outlines the choice about your declare. For extra details about the inspection course of, and documentation you will have to supply the inspector, go to the FEMA Particular person Help Inspection Course of web page.
Know that you could be obtain a go to from a couple of inspector all through the restoration course of. Along with FEMA housing inspectors, representatives from the U.S. Small Enterprise Administration, state and native officers and inspectors for personal insurance coverage protection additionally go to neighborhoods in affected areas.
For extra restoration info go to FEMA’s Hurricane Irma net web page at www.fema.gov/hurricane-irma.
IRS Tax Reduction
The IRS is now providing expanded aid to any space designated by FEMA as qualifying for both particular person help or public help within the State of Florida. This represents all 67 counties of Florida. Victims of Hurricane Irma that occurred starting on Sept. 4, 2017 in elements of Florida might qualify for tax aid from the Inside Income Service.
The President has declared {that a} main catastrophe exists within the State of Florida. The declaration permits the IRS to postpone sure deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a enterprise within the catastrophe space.
As an illustration, sure deadlines falling on or after Sept. 4, 2017 and earlier than Jan. 31, 2018, are granted further time to file by way of Jan. 31, 2018. This contains taxpayers who had a legitimate extension to file their 2016 return that was because of run out on Oct. 16, 2017.
It additionally contains the quarterly estimated earnings tax funds initially due on Sept. 15, 2017 and Jan. 16, 2018, and the quarterly payroll and excise tax returns usually due on Oct. 31, 2017. It additionally contains tax-exempt organizations that function on a calendar-year foundation and had an automated extension because of run out on Nov. 15, 2017.
As well as, penalties on payroll and excise tax deposits due on or after Sept. 4, 2017, and earlier than Sept. 19, 2017, can be abated so long as the deposits are made by Sept. 19, 2017.
For extra info go to https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-for-victims-of-hurricane-irma-in-florida
