The Small Business Administration carries a mandate to help encourage growth in local economies across the country. That is why the SBA’s flagship programs are accessible business loans aimed at entrepreneurs and established small business owners. Business loans are not the only option for loans through the SBA, though, and even among the options for business loans, there are a lot more than just the two most well-known programs. One great example of a successful SBA program that goes beyond business loans would be the disaster recovery program. These SBA loans are available to not only businesses, but also homeowners, renters, and nonprofits operating in declared disaster zones.

SBA disaster loans are not confined to one type of disaster, but they do have to be in a declared disaster zone. Earthquakes, floods, and wildfires are all covered, provided the situation is drastic enough to be officially declared. There are a few types of disaster loans to choose from, too.

If you have experienced financial losses due to physical damage to your property, then a physical damage loan works well, whether you’re a nonprofit dealing with damage to its headquarters, a homeowner, or a business owner. There are also economic injury loans available for businesses and nonprofits whose operations have taken financial losses due to the disaster. Used together, they go a long way toward helping local institutions reopen, and that helps the people living in the area as well.

Small businesses can also apply for mitigation loans, which are specifically designed to help with disaster-related expenses during the recovery period. For example, if your business has elevated costs due to running on gas or diesel generators while waiting for power grid repairs. That’s not quite the same as the economic injury sustained during the disaster itself, but it is something many people still need help with.

The last type of loan is only available to small businesses with employees who are called into active military duty. These loans are meant to help with the expenses related to putting a worker on active-duty leave, including the elevated costs of temporary replacement labor that needs to be trained for the task.

When you add up all the different types of SBA loans available to help you out after a disaster, the program is well-rounded, and it is one of the few SBA programs that are available to everyone in the community, not just small business owners.