Current SBA Guidelines on EIDL Loan Settlements
Struggling with a COVID EIDL loan? Learn how the SBA's Offer in Compromise works in 2025, eligibility rules, and settlement options before policies change.
The transcript of the video follows below for further review.
Eligible small business owners now have more options to refinance eligible fixed assets and business expenses through the Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 Refinance Program. SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet made the program permanent. This change will help small business owners ease their financial burdens and create incentives for potential expansion and further job creation.
In making the announcement, Contreras-Sweet said: “As both a former small business owner and a banker, I know firsthand that access to capital is the single most important factor in the survival and growth of a small business. The 504 loan program with its long term fixed-rate can help refinance debt from adjustable rate loans with significant savings to borrowers. Paying off existing loans with a new loan at a lower cost can help increase cash flow, which can be especially helpful in a resurgent economy. That’s why I’m so proud to announce this Final Rule making 504 Refi permanent.”
As outlined, SBA will begin accepting applications from small business owners effective June 24, 2016. “For some time now, we’ve been making the case for the 504 Refinance Program with lawmakers, and now small businesses will have access to $7.5 billion under this program. Congress heard the combined voices of small business, lenders and SBA, and made the 504 Refinance Program permanent – a measure that I’m sure will prove essential in helping small business expand and strengthen the nation’s economy,” Contreras-Sweet said.
On December 18, 2015, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016, which made the 504 Debt Refinancing Program a permanent part of the 504 Loan Program. The 504 Refinance Program was originally a temporary measure under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. This temporary debt refinance program expired on September 27, 2012.
SBA is authorized to approve up to $7.5 billion for the regular 504 Loan Program and $7.5 billion in lending authority under the 504 Debt Refinancing Program, which brings the total 504 lending combined authorization to $15 billion.
The 504 Debt Refinancing Program is authorized to operate only in fiscal years during which the subsidy costs to the government are zero.
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We analyze your SBA loan problems and advise you on potential solutions such as an SBA offer in compromise for your SBA loan default.
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 received the SBA's Official 60-Day Notice for a loan that was obtained by her small business in 2001. The SBA loan went into default in 2004 but after hearing nothing from the SBA lender or the SBA for 20 years, out of the blue, she received the SBA's collection due process notice which provided her with only one of four options: (1) repay the entire accelerated balance immediately; (2) negotiate a repayment arrangement; (3) challenge the legal enforceability of the debt with evidence; or (4) request an OHA hearing before a U.S. Administrative Law Judge.
Client hired the Firm to represent her with only 13 days left before the expiration deadline to respond to the SBA's Official 60-Day Notice. The Firm attorneys immediately researched the SBA's Official loan database to obtain information regarding the 7(a) loan. Thereafter, the Firm attorneys conducted legal research and asserted certain affirmative defenses challenging the legal enforceability of the debt. A written response was timely filed to the 60-Day Notice with the SBA subsequently agreeing with the client's affirmative defenses and legal arguments. As a result, the SBA rendered a decision immediately terminating collection of the debt against the client's alleged personal guarantee liability saving her $50,000.

Our firm successfully facilitated the SBA settlement of a COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) where borrower received an SBA disaster loan of $150,000, but due to the severe economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the business was unable to recover.
Despite the borrower’s efforts to maintain operations, shutdowns and restrictions significantly reduced the customer base and revenue, making continued operations unsustainable. After a thorough business closure review, we negotiated with the SBA, securing a resolution where the borrower paid only $6,015 to release the collateral, with no further financial liability for the owner/officer.
This case demonstrates how businesses affected by the pandemic can navigate SBA loan settlements effectively. If your business is struggling with an SBA EIDL loan, we specialize in SBA Offer in Compromise (SBA OIC) solutions to help close outstanding debts while minimizing financial burden.

Clients borrowed and personally guaranteed an SBA 7(a) loan. Clients defaulted on the SBA loan and were sued in federal district court for breach of contract. The SBA lender demanded the Client pledge several personal real estate properties as collateral to reinstate and secure the defaulted SBA loan. We were subsequently hired to intervene and aggressively defend the lawsuit. After several months of litigation, our attorneys negotiated a reinstatement of the SBA loan and a structured workout that did not involve any liens against the Client's personal real estate holdings.