Washington Wildfire Disaster Declaration Opens the Door to Loans
Published Date: 10/27/2026
Notice
Summary
Washington state got hit hard by wildfires from July to August 2026, especially Spokane and nearby counties. The government declared it a disaster, opening the door for low-interest loans to help homeowners, businesses, and nonprofits recover. You’ve got until December 21, 2026, to apply for physical damage loans and until July 22, 2027, for economic injury loans—so don’t wait!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Homeowner disaster loans available
If you own a home in Spokane County or the listed contiguous counties (Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Whitman in WA; Benewah, Bonner, Kootenai in ID), you can apply for an SBA physical damage loan for wildfire losses. The physical loan application deadline is December 21, 2026, and interest rates for homeowners are 5.750% if you have credit available elsewhere and 2.875% if you do not.
Business physical damage loans offered
Businesses in Spokane County and the listed contiguous counties can apply for SBA physical damage loans for wildfire losses. The deadline to apply for physical damage loans is December 21, 2026; interest rates are 8.000% for businesses with credit available elsewhere and 4.000% for businesses without credit available elsewhere.
Economic Injury (EIDL) loans for businesses and co-ops
Businesses and small agricultural cooperatives in the declared areas can apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). The EIDL application deadline is July 22, 2027, and the interest rate for businesses and small agricultural cooperatives without credit available elsewhere is 4.000%.
Private non-profit organizations eligible for loans
Private non-profit organizations in the affected areas are eligible to apply for both physical damage and economic injury disaster loans. The interest rate listed for private non-profits (with or without credit available elsewhere) is 3.625%, physical loan applications are due December 21, 2026, and EIDL applications are due July 22, 2027.
How and where to apply plus contact help
You can apply for SBA disaster loans online at the MySBA Loan Portal (https://lending.sba.gov) or in person at locally announced locations. For help, call the SBA disaster assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955, email [email protected], or if you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2025-02741, HUBZone Program Updates and Clarifications, and Clarifications to Other Small Business Programs; Correction
The SBA fixed some small but important mistakes in its recent HUBZone and small business program rules to make things clearer and fairer. These corrections affect small businesses using HUBZone and other SBA programs, especially around size protests and financial reporting. The fixes take effect on February 18, 2025, helping businesses avoid confusion and unnecessary paperwork.
2026-21860, Administrative Declaration of an Economic Injury Disaster for the State of Minnesota
Minnesota businesses hit by the Boundary Waters wildfires from July 11 to August 11, 2026, can now apply for special low-interest disaster loans to help recover. The Small Business Administration opened applications on October 22, 2026, with a deadline to apply by July 22, 2027. This support also extends to nearby counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin, offering a financial lifeline to keep local businesses afloat.
2026-21834, Administrative Declaration of a Disaster for the State of West Virginia
West Virginia got hit hard by storms, floods, landslides, and mudslides back in June 2026, especially in Boone and Logan counties. The government declared it a disaster, opening the door for low-interest loans to help homeowners, businesses, and nonprofits recover. You’ve got until December 21, 2026, to apply for physical damage loans and until July 21, 2027, for economic injury loans—so don’t wait!
2026-21769, Presidential Declaration Amendment of a Major Disaster for the OGLALA SIOUX TRIBE
The government updated its disaster declaration for the Oglala Sioux Tribe after severe storms and flooding in June 2026. They extended the deadline to apply for physical damage loans to November 30, 2026, giving folks more time to get help. Economic injury loan applications are still open until June 1, 2027, so affected businesses have plenty of time to recover.
2026-21752, Data Collection Available for Public Comments
The Small Business Administration (SBA) wants your feedback on a new way to collect info at their events to better help small businesses. They’re asking for comments by December 28, 2026, to make sure this process is easy and useful. This change aims to save time and improve support without costing businesses extra money.
2026-21639, Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under Office of Management and Budget Review
The Small Business Administration is asking for public feedback on a form that helps confirm if a business really qualifies as 'small' to get special investment help. This review keeps the program fair by making sure only true small businesses benefit. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until November 23, 2026, to speak up—no cost changes or new rules yet, just a check-in!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-21858, Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Strengthening Processing for US Ranchers (SPUR) Guaranteed Loan Program for Fiscal Year 2027 and Guarantee Fee Rates/Loan Guarantee Percentage and Fee for Issuance of Loan Note Guarantee Prior to Construction Completion
Starting October 27, 2026, ranchers and processors can apply for guaranteed loans to boost American meat, poultry, and seafood processing through the SPUR program. The USDA sets new fee rates and loan guarantee percentages for fiscal year 2027, helping lenders support projects that grow and diversify processing capacity. Funds and technical help are ready, but act fast—applications close when money runs out!
Next: 2026-21860, Administrative Declaration of an Economic Injury Disaster for the State of Minnesota
Minnesota businesses hit by the Boundary Waters wildfires from July 11 to August 11, 2026, can now apply for special low-interest disaster loans to help recover. The Small Business Administration opened applications on October 22, 2026, with a deadline to apply by July 22, 2027. This support also extends to nearby counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin, offering a financial lifeline to keep local businesses afloat.