From Phil Shea, Southwest Conference Disaster Ministries Coordinator:

Greetings,

Bill asked me to research and pass on to you some information received by the conference office regarding the eligibility of churches to access the Small Business Association (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Incident. The below information should help you determine if and how to access the loan. I have kept it brief and the linked documents beneath this article are also very brief. If I can assist you in any way, please contact me. Your specific questions about the loan should be directed to the SBA.

In a phone conversation, the SBA told me churches can be eligible for a loan, whether they are 501(c)3 or not. The Loan Officer will make the decision. Churches are encouraged to apply.
The loans are for fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of disaster impact. The interest rate is 2.75%.
Please note on the Fact Sheet that only churches in the following counties are eligible (as of the time of this email; as the incident develops it is possible additional counties could be included).
- Arizona: Apache, Coconino, Mohave and Navajo.
- New Mexico: San Juan.
The application filing deadline is 17 December 2020.
You may apply online at:

https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela . Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call (800) 877-8339. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Please refer to the attached two documents for additional information.
- Process for Accessing SBA's Coronavirus (covid-19) Disaster Relief Lending
- U.S. Small Business Administration Fact Sheet - Economic Injury Disaster Loans, Incident: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Process for Accessing SBA Coronavirus Disaster Relief Lending

SBA Coronavirus Disaster Loan Fact Sheet

Philip Shea, Disaster Recovery Specialist,

Reservist AZ DEMA

602-663-5065 (mobile)