Texas businesses face emergencies ranging from hurricanes and floods to winter storms and wildfires. When disaster strikes, business owners need to know what government programs are available for emergency relief and recovery. This guide covers the real disaster and emergency programs available to Texas businesses — both permanent programs and how disaster-specific programs are activated.
Important Context
Emergency business funding in Texas works differently than regular grant programs. Most emergency programs are activated only after a federal or state disaster declaration for your specific area. There is no standing "emergency business grant" that any business can apply for at any time. The programs below are either permanently available or are activated after qualifying disasters.
SBA Disaster Loans
SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
The SBA EIDL program provides low-interest loans to businesses that suffer economic injury as a result of a declared disaster. EIDLs can provide up to $2 million in working capital to help businesses meet financial obligations that they could have met if the disaster had not occurred. These are loans, not grants — but they carry favorable interest rates and long repayment terms (up to 30 years).
EIDL availability is tied to federal disaster declarations. When a disaster is declared in your area, the SBA opens a disaster loan application period. Apply through the SBA's disaster assistance website.
SBA Physical Disaster Loans
If your business suffers physical damage from a declared disaster, SBA Physical Disaster Loans can provide up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged real estate, equipment, inventory, and fixtures. These loans are available to businesses of all sizes in declared disaster areas.
FEMA Programs
FEMA Public Assistance
FEMA Public Assistance primarily serves state and local governments and certain nonprofit organizations. Private businesses are generally not eligible for FEMA Public Assistance. However, businesses may benefit indirectly from FEMA-funded infrastructure repairs and community recovery efforts.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
The FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds projects that reduce future disaster risk. While primarily available to government entities, businesses may benefit from community-level mitigation projects and in some cases can participate in property-level mitigation through local government programs.
Texas General Land Office CDBG-DR
After major disasters, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) administers Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds from HUD. These programs can include:
- Small business recovery grants: Some CDBG-DR allocations include direct assistance to small businesses in affected areas.
- Economic revitalization programs: Funding for business district recovery, infrastructure repair, and community economic development in disaster-affected areas.
- Housing recovery: While not direct business funding, housing recovery stabilizes the customer base and workforce for local businesses.
CDBG-DR programs are activated after specific disasters and can take months to be set up. Watch the GLO website and local government announcements for program details.
USDA Emergency Programs
USDA Emergency Loans
Farm and agricultural businesses in Texas can access USDA Emergency Farm Loans after natural disasters. These loans help producers recover from crop losses, livestock losses, and property damage. Eligibility requires being in a county designated as a disaster area.
Emergency Conservation Program
The USDA Emergency Conservation Program provides funding to agricultural producers for restoring farmland damaged by natural disasters — relevant for agribusinesses and rural enterprises.
Insurance and Risk Management
The best emergency "program" is adequate insurance before a disaster occurs:
- Business interruption insurance: Covers lost income when your business cannot operate due to a covered event.
- National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): Federally backed flood insurance available through participating insurers. Critical for Texas businesses in flood-prone areas.
- SBA-required hazard insurance: SBA loan recipients in flood zones must maintain flood insurance as a loan condition.
Preparing for Emergencies
- Register with SAM.gov now: System for Award Management registration positions your business to access federal disaster recovery contracts when they become available.
- Maintain adequate insurance: Government disaster programs supplement insurance — they do not replace it.
- Document everything: After a disaster, thorough documentation of damage and losses is essential for every recovery program application.
- Apply immediately: Disaster assistance programs have application windows. Apply as soon as programs open in your area.
- Contact your local SBDC: SBA Small Business Development Centers provide free disaster recovery counseling and application assistance.
What to Do Right After a Disaster
- Check the SBA disaster assistance website for active declarations in your area.
- Contact your insurance company immediately.
- Document all damage with photos and written records.
- Contact your local SBDC for free assistance.
- Watch for GLO CDBG-DR program announcements.
- Apply for all programs you may be eligible for — you can decline assistance later if you do not need it.
Find Programs That May Fit Your Business
Beyond emergency programs, Texas businesses may be eligible for ongoing grant, tax credit, and incentive programs that can strengthen your business and improve resilience.
Not sure which programs may fit your business? Our free screening report checks your business against 150+ verified programs — grants, tax credits, loans, and incentives — and shows you which ones may match. Start your free screening →