UPDATES

If you have private insurance, file a business insurance claim as soon as possible.

U For resources for homeowners and general recovery information visit State of New Jersey's Tropical Storm Ida website.

U.S. Small Business Administration Loans

Businesses can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Businesses are encouraged to submit their loan applications for physical damages even if they have not yet settled with their insurance company.

Two loans are being offered for businesses:

1. ‍Economic Injury Disaster Loans helps small businesses, private nonprofit organizations (such as food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, and community centers), small agricultural cooperatives, and other organizations meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
2. Physical Disaster Loans helps businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.  

New Counties Added 9/22/21: Businesses and other organizations in Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Union, and Warren counties in New Jersey are eligible for Physical Disaster Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and other organizations in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Monmouth, Salem, and Sussex are eligible for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website and should apply under SBA declaration # 17143.

Application Support

Get help applying for federal financial assistance through the African-American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) and the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCCNJ).

This assistance provided by the AACCNJ and SHCCNJ includes, but is not limited to, preparing financial information, packaging application documentation, and completing and submitting the on-line or paper-based application. Compensation for these organizations will be based on completed and submitted SBA applications.

The NJ Small Business Development Centers (NJSBDC) can also assist your business with completing your SBA disaster loan application at no cost. Contact the NJSBDC Capitol Team for assistance.

Additional Application Access Considerations

Watch a short video on how to apply to disaster assistance loans by the SBA.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, applicants should register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA mobile app.  

If online or mobile access is  unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.

Businesses and individuals may also obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339  for  the  deaf  and  hard-of-hearing) or emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.

IRS Tax Relief

The IRS is offering tax relief to any disaster designated area by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

IRS tax relief postpones various tax filing and payment deadlines that occurred starting on August 26, 2021. As a result, affected individuals and businesses will have until January 3, 2022, to file returns and pay any taxes that were originally due during this period. This means individuals who had a valid extension to file their 2020 return due to run out on October 15, 2021, will now have until January 3, 2022, to file. The IRS noted, however, that because tax payments related to these 2020 returns were due on May 17, 2021, those payments are not eligible for this relief.

Apply for tax relief.

Henri/Ida Business Assistance Grant Program

The Henri/Ida Business Assistance Grant Program provides short-term, immediate August rent or mortgage reimbursement support to New Jersey small and medium-sized businesses and non-profits that have suffered physical damage as a result of the remnants of Hurricane Henri and/or Hurricane Ida.

• Benefits: August 2021 rent or mortgage reimbursement up to $5,000.
• Eligibility: Businesses and nonprofits with up to 50 employees, a commercial location in New Jersey, and an August rent or mortgage payment of at least $1,000 that were impacted by Hurricane Henri and/or Hurricane Ida.
• Learn more: https://www.njeda.com/henri-ida-relief.

Applications closed at 5:00 p.m. on September 24th, 2021. The NJEDA is currently reviewing applications on a first come, first served basis. Check the status of your application at https://programs.njeda.com.  

Disaster Unemployment Assistance

Your employees who lost their jobs directly due to Tropical Storm Ida may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). The assistance is limited to those living or working in a county that has been declared a major disaster area. Learn more about eligibility for DUA.

Free Computer Access

If you need access to a computer or scanner to apply for Hurricane Ida relief programs, visit your local library. The NJ State Library has a directory to help you identify your local public library.

Find your local library.