The Small Business Administration provides homeowners with loans that help in rebuilding a business or home after a natural disaster. However, if the borrower goes into default, the SBA can foreclose. Read further to learn more about the SBA's disaster loans, along with their foreclosure and SBA Offer in Compromise process.
The Small Business Administration offers fixed rate, low interest loans and a Tax Offset Program to fix homes, businesses and property destroyed or damaged in a federal disaster area. Loans may be used to replace or repair:
Business owners, renters and homeowners are all eligible for SBA loans in most cases. The sections below list the most common types of disaster loans, along with the groups of borrowers most likely to benefit.
Homeowners can apply for a loan of up to $200,000 to restore a primary residence to the same condition in which it was before the disaster. Homeowners and renters may borrow $40,000 or less to replace or repair personal belongings such as clothing and furniture that are damaged or destroyed.
The SBA offers loans to business owners who incur financial losses during a natural disaster. These disaster loans can be used to replace or repair non-covered equipment that's lost during a storm, fire or earthquake.
Businesses can also qualify for loans to help pay necessary and recurring operating expenses until things are back to normal. If a business suffers economic losses because of a disaster, it can get a loan even if no damage occurs.
Because disaster help is given as a loan rather than a grant, the borrower must legally agree to a repayment plan. These loans are available directly from the agency or through participating lenders, and are serviced accordingly. For certain loans, borrowers must provide collateral such as a security interest in or a lien on the property. If the person goes into SBA loan default, the loan can be foreclosed in or out of the judicial setting after the borrower receives an SBA demand letter. A lawyer can help a borrower consider options to avoid an SBA loan foreclosure, such as bankruptcy or an SBA Offer in Compromise.
Millions of Dollars in SBA Debts Resolved via Offer in Compromise and Negotiated Repayment Agreements without our Clients filing for Bankruptcy or Facing Home Foreclosure
Millions of Dollars in Treasury Debts Defended Against via AWG Hearings, Treasury Offset Program Resolution, Cross-servicing Disputes, Private Collection Agency Representation, Compromise Offers and Negotiated Repayment Agreements
Our Attorneys are Authorized by the Agency Practice Act to Represent Federal Debtors Nationwide before the SBA, The SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals, the Treasury Department, and the Bureau of Fiscal Service.
Client personally guaranteed an SBA 7(a) loan to help with a relative’s new business venture. After the business failed, Treasury was able to secure a recurring Treasury Offset Program (TOP) levy against his monthly Social Security Benefits based on the claim that he owed over $1.2 million dollars. We initially submitted a Cross-Servicing Dispute, but then, prepared and filed an Appeals Petition with the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals (SBA OHA). As a result of our efforts, we were able to convince the SBA to not only terminate the claimed debt of $1.2 million dollars against our client (without him having to file bankruptcy) but also refund the past recurring amounts that were offset from his Social Security Benefits in connection with the TOP levy.
Client personally guaranteed SBA 7(a) loan for $150,000. COVID-19 caused the business to fail, and the loan went into default with a balance of $133,000. Client initially hired a non-attorney consultant to negotiate an OIC. The SBA summarily rejected the ineligible OIC and the debt was referred to Treasury’sBureau of Fiscal Service for enforced collection in the debt amount of $195,000. We were hired to intervene and initiated discovery for SBA and Fiscal Service records. We were able to recall the case from Fiscal Service back to the SBA. We then negotiated a structured workout with favorable terms that saves the client approximately $198,000 over the agreed-upon workout term by waiving contractual and statutory administrative fees, collection costs, penalties, and interest.
The clients are personally guaranteed an SBA 7(a) loan. The SBA referred the debt to the Department of Treasury, which was seeking payment of $487,981 from our clients. We initially filed a Cross-Servicing Dispute, which was denied. As a result, we filed an Appeals Petition with the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals asserting legal defenses and supporting evidence uncovered during the discovery and investigation phase of our services. Ultimately, the SBA settled the debt for $25,000 - saving our clients approximately $462,981.
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