Recent Press Releases

Washington, D.C. — 

Following the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) announcement that it rejected South Dakota’s request for individual assistance in Jerauld, Lincoln, and Union counties, Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota) is encouraging South Dakota residents in Minnehaha, Lincoln, and Union Counties to consider applying for Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster assistance.

“While I was disappointed to learn FEMA denied our request for individual assistance, I am pleased home and business owners in Minnehaha, Lincoln, and Union counties will have access to low-interest disaster loans through the SBA,” said Thune. “I will continue working with Governor Daugaard and other members of the delegation to support our local communities and ensure we provide assistance to those in need. Together we’ll help our communities recover.”

Minnehaha, Lincoln, and Union Counties are contiguous to Iowa counties where a major disaster was declared, making residents and business owners in these counties eligible for SBA disaster loans. Homeowners are eligible to receive up to $200,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Both homeowners and renters are eligible to receive up to $40,000 to replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to receive up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

Eligible homeowners and business owners may apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Disaster loan information and application forms are also available from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955 or e-mailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. For more information about SBA’s disaster assistance programs, visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster.  

The filing deadline to return applications for property damage is September 8, 2014.