Still waiting on funds from an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan? Read on to find out how to check your loan's status!
Erica began writing on small business topics in 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and focuses on loans, accounting, and POS. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll. She has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a graduate of Limestone University and resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY Erica Seppala Erica began writing on small business topics in 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and focuses on loans, accounting, and POS. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll. She has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a graduate of Limestone University and resides in Greenville, South Carolina. Editor & Senior Staff Writer
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The SBA’s COVID-19 EIDL portal closed on May 16, 2022, and is no longer accepting applications, requests for increases, reconsideration, and appeals due to a lack of any more available funding.
Although the Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Emergency Advance to provide COVID relief is no longer accepting applications, applicants that didn’t receive their funds may still need to check their EIDL loan status. Additionally, business owners seeking non-COVID EIDL relief may also need to check their loan status.
EIDL loans and advances made it possible for millions of small business owners to receive funding to keep their businesses afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic. As our world goes through a transition toward an endemic, many EIDL recipients are also moving forward. Borrowers that received COVID EIDL loans have some additional relief ahead, as the SBA recently extended loan deferments for an additional six months — adding up to a total of 30 months of deferred payments from the date of the original note. This deferment does not apply to non-COVID EIDL loans.
Looking for additional COVID-related business relief? See if you qualify for the employee retention credit. These top ERC specialists help small businesses navigate the qualifications to get your ERC refund.
But what if you were approved and haven’t yet received your funding, or you’ve applied for non-COVID EIDL relief? In this post, we’re going to tell you how to check the status of your EIDL, what you need when checking your status, and common scams to avoid.
If you didn’t apply for an EIDL or Advance for COVID relief, unfortunately, the application period is closed. As of January 1, 2022, the SBA is no longer accepting new applications.
As of May 6, 2022, the SBA has also stopped processing loan increase requests and requests for reconsiderations for previously declined loans. The good news is that the SBA offers a variety of other small business funding options. Explore SBA loans to find the option that’s right for your business.
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There are three ways to check your EIDL loan application status, and all are directly through the SBA. Keep reading to learn more about these methods for verifying the status of your loan application.
If you submitted your application online, you can check your loan status through the SBA website. This is the quickest and easiest way to verify the status of your EIDL.
The SBA also launched the SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan Portal to simplify the process of checking loan statuses. However, the SBA announced that this portal will no longer be active as of May 16, 2022.
You can also access the SBA Assistant. This also requires the username and password used when applying for your loan. Through these portals, you can view information related to your application, including the application number, the current status, and the date that the status was last updated.
You can also find out the status of your EIDL loan application by phone. You can use this method if you submitted your application online or by mail. Call 1-800-659-2955 (the SBA Disaster Assistance customer service center) and ask for Tier 2. These reps can answer questions about the application process and your EIDL loan status. If you applied through the COVID-19 portal, the SBA will contact you, but you may be able to get answers by calling the toll-free number.
If you mailed in your application, this is the best way to find out your loan status, as you won’t have a username and password to log onto the online portal. On the plus side, this method allows you to talk to an SBA rep that will answer your questions, even if these go beyond finding out your loan status. On the other hand, though, you may be stuck waiting on hold, as other business owners are also inquiring about the EIDL program and loan statuses.
You can also reach out to the SBA by email to learn more about your loan status or inquire about the EIDL program. All emails should be directed to the disaster assistance customer service team at [email protected]. Use this method if you have additional questions about the program or submitted your application by mail. Otherwise, you’ll be better served using the online portal to check the status of your loan.
What you’ll need to check your EIDL loan status varies based on how you contact the SBA.
If you call in, you won’t have a username or password, so you’ll need to provide additional information. If you applied online, have your application number ready. You may also need to verify additional information, such as the name of your business, federal tax ID, and/or your legal name.
If you email the SBA, make sure to provide your legal name and your application number (if you applied online). You may also be required to submit additional information, such as your business name, federal tax ID, or other identifying information.
Whenever there’s money involved, you can be sure that there’s a scammer out there looking to take it, and EIDL funding is no exception. If you receive an email, double-check that the sender’s address ends in sba.gov. Some emails look legit, even utilizing the SBA’s logo, so make sure that you look over the email and check the address before responding. If you’re still unsure, use the email address or phone number in this post or the contact information found on the SBA website to get in touch.
Do not send any personal information until you’ve verified that the person you are speaking to is actually an SBA representative. Some emails may be phishing attempts to get personal information about your business, including your bank account information.
Remember, you should only be utilizing the SBA website to check your EIDL loan application status. Avoid websites that request payment to expedite funding or give the status of your loan.
You can report any suspected fraud online or by phone.
There are several ways to check your EIDL loan status. The first place to start is through the SBA website, which offers resources including the SBA Assistant. You can also inquire about your EIDL by calling the Disaster Assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955 or through email at [email protected].
Due to the demand for EIDL funds, there may be a delay in getting your loan approved and funded. Typically, the SBA will make a decision within 21 days, and if approved, loans can be funded in approximately five business days.
If you applied through the COVID-19 portal, you will have to wait until the SBA contacts you regarding your loan status, even if you have an application number. Some applicants haven’t received an email or phone call from the SBA but did receive a deposit in their bank account from the SBA with an attached application number.
If you applied for an EIDL outside of the COVID-19 portal, you can call the SBA’s toll-free number to inquire about your loan status. You can also inquire about your status by email.
Unfortunately, many small business owners are finding it difficult to find out the status of their loans and have experienced delays in receiving their funds. In some cases, applicants didn’t receive an update for several days or even weeks.
Remember, many small business owners are seeking financial relief. Though it can be a pain, simply wait until you receive further instructions or communications from the SBA. This may even be in the form of a deposit to your bank account.
When checking your credit history, you may notice that the SBA has pulled your credit. While some borrowers have reported receiving funds a few days after their credit was pulled, others were still waiting on their funds despite their credit being pulled. In other words, this shouldn’t be used to gauge whether or not your loan was approved or will soon be funded. Again, wait for communications from the SBA, and don’t forget to check your business bank account.
If your bank account number or any other information on your application is incorrect, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance customer service center at 1-800-659-2955. Your information can be corrected over the phone. Be prepared to provide information to verify your identity, such as your application confirmation number.
Unfortunately, some borrowers that had funds deposited into a personal bank account encountered holds and freezes due to their banks’ policies. If your loan is on hold, contact your bank or financial institution to determine the next steps you need to take to access your money. In some cases, borrowers were able to have their funds released by providing the bank with loan paperwork, business licenses, and other documentation.
Getting the status of your EIDL loan and advance can be frustrating. Delays in processing loans — and other business owners seeking answers — have made things a bit chaotic for the time being. Just remain persistent, and you’ll be successful in getting a status update.
If one method doesn’t work for you, try another. Make sure to have any additional questions ready if you call or email, so you can get the answers you need more efficiently. And if your status remains unchanged today, try again tomorrow.
Need to learn more about the financial options available to you? Check out our COVID-19 hub to find resources, tips, and advice to help your small business weather the storm. Good luck!
Erica began writing on small business topics in 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and focuses on loans, accounting, and POS. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll. She has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a graduate of Limestone University and resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
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