Nebraska Wildfires Spark Rural Disaster Aid Declaration from Feds
Published Date: 8/20/2026
Notice
Summary
This is notice of an Administrative disaster declaration of a rural area for the state of Nebraska dated August 14, 2026. Incident: Wildfires.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Homeowner Physical Disaster Loan Rates
Homeowners in the declared rural area may apply for SBA physical disaster loans. Interest rates are 5.750% for homeowners with credit available elsewhere and 2.875% for homeowners without credit available elsewhere, and the physical loan application deadline is October 13, 2026.
Business Physical Disaster Loan Terms
Businesses in the declared area can apply for SBA physical disaster loans with interest rates of 8.000% for businesses with credit available elsewhere and 4.000% for businesses without credit available elsewhere; private non-profit organizations have rates of 3.625%. The physical loan application deadline is October 13, 2026.
Economic Injury (EIDL) Loan Availability
Businesses and small agricultural cooperatives in the declared area may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). Interest rates for business and small agricultural cooperatives without credit available elsewhere are 4.000%, and private non-profit organizations without credit available elsewhere are 3.625%. The EIDL application deadline is May 14, 2027.
SBA Disaster Declaration — Garden County
The U.S. Small Business Administration declared an administrative rural disaster for Garden County, Nebraska for wildfires that occurred March 12, 2026 through April 2, 2026. The declaration was issued August 14, 2026 and assigns disaster numbers 217855 (physical) and 217860 (economic injury).
How to Apply for SBA Disaster Loans
Affected applicants may apply online through the MySBA Loan Portal at https://lending.sba.gov or in person at locally announced locations. For help, contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 or email [email protected]; application deadlines are October 13, 2026 (physical) and May 14, 2027 (EIDL).
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Key Dates
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