Helene Small Business Recovery Act

This bill aims to make it easier for people and small businesses to get disaster help after major storms and emergencies. Normally, you can’t receive aid from two programs for the same loss. This bill lets the President waive that rule when a Governor asks, if it’s in the public interest and won’t cause waste or fraud. The decision must be made within 45 days. Loans won’t be counted as “duplicate” aid if all the money is used to cover actual disaster losses. There’s no income cutoff for getting a waiver. FEMA’s input can be considered when deciding waivers.

This applies to assistance tied to disasters declared in 2023 or 2024.

Key points

• Who: People, businesses, and other entities with losses from a major disaster or emergency.
• What changes: President can waive “duplication of benefits” rules; loans aren’t treated as duplicate aid if used for losses; no income threshold; decision due in 45 days.
• When: For assistance related to disasters declared in 2023 or 2024.