SBA COVID-19 PPP and EIDL Loans: SBA Ramps Up Audits and Investigations
SBA COVID-19 PPP and EIDL Loans: SBA Ramps Up Audits and Investigations
Read historical Department of Justice manual excerpts concerning federal debt collection policies and issues involving settlement of SBA debt.
Book a Consultation CallBelow are excerpts from the Department of Justice's United States Attorney's Manual addressing collection policies relating to debts owed to the Federal Government and how the DOJ collects debts purportedly "due and owing." Please review here and don't hesitate to contact us if you are facing or about to face a past-due SBA debt.
3-10.500Enforced CollectionsWhen a debtor fails to respond to the post-judgment demand letter or to cure a default on the terms of an established payment plan, immediate steps shall be taken to initiate enforced collection proceedings. The rights and remedies available to the United States, and exemptions available to the debtor, under the Federal Debt Collection Procedures Act, 28 U.S.C. §§3001-3308, should be considered in determining the most efficient and effective means to satisfy the judgment.3-10.510Discovery to determine ability to payFull use shall be made of those discovery methods provided for in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure whenever financial information is not voluntarily provided by the debtor. If the debtor fails to respond to such discovery requests, those sanctions provided for under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure shall be pursued promptly and vigorously. All financial information which is obtained through discovery shall be thoroughly reviewed and a determination made on how to proceed to enforce the judgment.3-10.530OffsetOffset of a debtor's federal tax return, federal salary, or federal administrative benefit should be undertaken whenever permitted by law.3-10.540Depriving Debtors of Their ResidenceApproval of the United States Attorney should be obtained prior to executing upon a debtor's residence. Normally, execution on a debtor's residence should not be made if the debtor is cooperative and making reasonable efforts to satisfy the judgment. Similarly, execution upon the debtor's personal or real property should not result in the debtor's family becoming a public charge.
If you are struggling with circumstances that involve SBA loan default or a DOT collection action, you deserve professional help! Our attorneys know how to handle SBA OIC and/or DOT collection cases. If you contact us, we can help you settle SBA debt or your DOT collection problem once and for all. After you schedule an appointment, you confer with a dedicated SBA OIC attorney and Federally Authorized DOT Practitioner who can help you through your administrative legal battle. After your claim is resolved, you never again have to worry about your SBA loan default problem or DOT collection problem haunting you. Our team of lawyers has assisted many clients through the years. Now it is your turn! You truly can settle SBA debt for good!
Please contact us at 1-888-756-9969 to discuss the next steps in resolving your issues. If you do not get in direct contact with us immediately, please leave a message with the front office staff with the best day, time and phone number to call you back and we will follow through on that promise.
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.

Our firm successfully assisted a client in closing an SBA Disaster Loan tied to a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The borrower obtained an EIDL loan of $153,800, but due to the prolonged economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the business was unable to recover and ultimately closed.
As part of the business closure review and audit, we worked closely with the SBA to negotiate a resolution. The borrower was required to pay only $1,625 to release the remaining collateral, effectively closing the matter without further financial liability for the owner/officer.
This case highlights the importance of strategic negotiations when dealing with SBA settlements, particularly for businesses that have shut down due to unforeseen economic challenges. If you or your business are struggling with SBA loan debt, we focus on SBA Offer in Compromise (SBA OIC) solutions to help settle outstanding obligations efficiently.

Client's small business obtained an SBA COVID EIDL for $301,000 pledging collateral by executing the Note, Unconditional Guarantee and Security Agreement. The business defaulted on the loan and the SBA CESC called the Note and Guarantee, accelerated the principal balance due, accrued interest and retracted the 30-year term schedule.
The loan was transferred to the Treasury's Bureau of Fiscal Service which resulted in the statutory addition of $90,000+ in administrative fees, costs, penalties and interest with the total debt now at $391.000+. Treasury also initiated a Treasury Offset Program (TOP) levy against the client's federal contractor payments for the full amount each month - intercepting all of its revenue and pushing the business to the brink of bankruptcy.
The Firm was hired to investigate and find an alternate solution to the bankruptcy option. After submitting formal production requests for all government records, it was discovered that the SBA failed to send the required Official 60-Day Pre-Referral Notice to the borrower and guarantor prior to referring the debt to Treasury. This procedural due process violation served as the basis to submit a Cross-Servicing Dispute to recall the debt from Treasury back to the SBA and to negotiate a reinstatement of the original 30-year maturity date, a modified workout, cessation of the TOP levy against the federal contractor payments and removal of the $90,000+ Treasury-based collection fees, interest and penalties.

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’s ureau 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.