MENG THANKS SBA FOR OPENING DISASTER LOAN CENTER IN QUEENS; CONGRESSWOMAN MEETS WITH PERSONNEL ASSISTING LOCAL FLOODING VICTIMS AFTER HELPING TO FUND THE AGENCY

QUEENS, NY - U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) visited the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Queens where she thanked agency personnel for the work they have done to assist local residents and businesses impacted by flooding that occurred in the borough this past May.

Meng's congressional committee - the House Appropriations Committee - funds the SBA, and all other federal government agencies, which includes resources to help bring this type of assistance to the borough.

SBA personnel at this temporary, two-week site at Council Member Linda Lee's office in Oakland Gardens, answered questions and helped individuals apply for low interest disaster loans available to homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits.

"Queens deserves relief for the damage sustained from excessive flooding and I thank the SBA for working to help those in our borough who have been affected," said Congresswoman Meng. "In Congress, I have worked to secure millions of dollars to help combat the problem and I appreciate the SBA's partnership as well as the partnership of my colleague, Council Member Linda Lee. Our communities need to be assisted and also be adequately protected from future storms."

"The U.S. Small Business Administration and its Office of Disaster Recovery continues to maintain a presence in Queens due to severe weather and flooding that occurred on May 20," said SBA Atlantic Regional Administrator Matt Coleman, who oversees that federal agency's operations throughout New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. "All New York City and Nassau County small businesses and residents that were impacted by the federal declared disaster are encouraged to apply. The SBA appreciates the partnership of our federal, state and local stakeholders to ensure all those impacted apply securely online here,"

"Over the past several years, our communities have experienced the devastating impacts of stormwater flooding, and I am proud to have partnered with the SBA and Congresswoman Meng to help deliver critical relief to affected homeowners and businesses," said Council Member Lee. "These events highlight the urgent need for infrastructure investments that strengthen our city's resilience against flooding. I remain committed to working alongside my State and Federal partners to protect our communities and mitigate the effects of these severe storms."

Under the SBA's disaster loans,

• Homeowners can apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence;
• Homeowners and renters can seek up to $100,000 to replace or repair their personal property; and
• Businesses and nonprofits can apply for up to $2 million in working capital through Economic Injury Disaster Loans.

Although the temporary Disaster Loan Outreach Center is scheduled to close today (Tuesday, July 21), area residents and small businesses can continue to apply online here. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email [email protected] for more information. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The deadline to submit physical property damage applications is August 31, 2026, and the deadline for economic injury applications is March 30, 2027.