The US Small Business Administration (SBA) has Economic Injury Disaster Loans available for businesses, farmers and other eligible entities affected by the drought, Governor Jenniffer González Colón announced on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Loans of up to $2 million may be requested by businesses in 17 municipalities, mainly in the north and east: Caguas, Carolina, Río Grande, San Juan and Trujillo Alto, plus the contiguous towns of Aguas Buenas, Canóvanas, Cataño, Cayey, Ceiba, Cidra, Gurabo, Juncos, Las Piedras, Loíza, Luquillo, Naguabo, San Lorenzo and Toa Baja.
The loans cover ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the drought and go to small businesses, agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses and most private nonprofits. They are not grants and cannot be used to refinance long-term debt. Terms run up to 30 years, with fixed rates of 4.000% for businesses and small agricultural cooperatives without credit available elsewhere and 3.625% for eligible private nonprofits.
Credit history and repayment capacity will be evaluated. The deadline to apply is July 7, 2027. SBA staff will offer guidance with the Department of Economic Development and Commerce (DDEC) at the Centro Único de Servicios, Roosevelt Avenue #355, until November 13, 2026, 8:00 AM to 12:00 and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM, except November 11, Veterans Day.
Applications may also be filed at lending.sba.gov, by phone at 1-800-659-2955, or by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.