SBA Opens Disaster Loan Center in San Benito as Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy Counties Added to Texas Disaster Declaration

SBA, Disaster Loans, Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Hidalgo County, Cameron County, Willacy County, Rio Grande Valley TX

Staff Report

McAllen TX - The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced the availability of low-interest federal disaster loans to small businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters in Hidalgo, Cameron, and Willacy counties following an amended disaster declaration covering severe storms and tornadoes that struck between April 24 and May 1, 2026.

A Disaster Loan Outreach Center opened Monday, June 2, at the San Benito Annex Building 2, 705 N. Bowie St., San Benito. The center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will be closed Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments may be scheduled in advance at appointment.sba.gov.

Available Loan Programs

Businesses and nonprofits may apply for physical disaster loans of up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to repair or replace their primary residence. Homeowners and renters may also apply for personal property loans of up to $100,000 to replace or repair clothing, furniture, vehicles, and appliances.

Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their verified physical damage for mitigation improvements, which may include insulating pipes, walls, and attics, weather stripping doors and windows, and installing storm windows.

The SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofit organizations — including faith-based organizations — that suffered financial losses directly related to the disaster, even if they did not sustain physical damage. These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could not be paid due to the disaster. Agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers are not eligible for SBA disaster loans, with the exception of aquaculture enterprises.

Loan Terms

Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.625% for nonprofits, and 2.875% for homeowners and renters, with terms of up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement.

“When disasters strike, SBA’s Disaster Loan Outreach Centers perform an important role by assisting small businesses and their communities,” said Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience. “At these centers, our SBA specialists help business owners and residents apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to support their recovery.”

The disaster declaration also covers Calhoun, Cooke, Denton, DeWitt, Goliad, Hood, Jack, Jackson, Johnson, Lavaca, Montague, Palo Pinto, Parker, Refugio, Tarrant, Victoria, and Wise counties. More information is available at sba.gov/disaster.

Source - U.S. Small Business Administration