On May 4, the SBA began accepting new Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance applications on a limited basis only to provide relief to U.S. agricultural businesses impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. They also resumed processing EIDL applications that were submitted before the portal stopped accepting new applications on April 15 and will process these applications on a first-come, first served basis.

  • The new eligibility is made possible as a result of the latest round of funds appropriated by Congress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Agricultural businesses includes those businesses engaged in the production of food and fiber, ranching, and raising of livestock, aquaculture, and all other farming and agricultural related industries (as defined by section 18(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 647(b)).

SBA is encouraging all eligible agricultural businesses with 500 or fewer employees wishing to apply to begin preparing their business financial information for their application.

At this time, only agricultural business applications will be accepted due to the limitations in funding availability and the unprecedented submission of applications already received. For agricultural businesses that submitted an EIDL application through the streamlined application portal prior to the legislative changes, SBA will process these applications without the need for re-applying.

Eligible agricultural businesses may apply for the Loan Advance here.

NOTE: We had clients with issues using a Chrome browser for the online application, but had success using Internet Explorer.

Need assistance? Visit with one of our ag experts or call us at (888) 388-1040.

Last updated: 5-4-2020 at 8:50 am.