Justification

U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20416

March 26, 2020
Susan Minson
OMB Desk Officer
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
Office of Management and Budget
725 17th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20503
Dear Ms. Minson:
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), when signed by the president, will
authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide enhanced loans under the Economic Injury
Disaster Loan (EIDL) program in response to the coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19. These loans will
provide working capital for small businesses, private nonprofits, and small agricultural enterprises
suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the pandemic, and will include emergency grants to
eligible entities. SBA is working with a contractor to start providing this assistance as soon as the
legislation is signed, which we expect to be no later than Saturday, March 28, 2020. In order to meet
the target rollout date, SBA is requesting emergency approval under 5 CFR 1320.13 for this new
information collection by March 27, 2020.
SBA has streamlined the requirements generally required for a disaster loan application specifically for
use in this COVID-19 effort. For example, the requirement for tax returns has been modified to allow
applicants to submit some of the information that would otherwise be extrapolated from the returns.
We have also removed references to all other business disaster programs to avoid any confusion as to
the purpose of the application
Given the current urgent need and to help mitigate harm to the affected small businesses, this new
information collection is needed prior to the expiration of the normal Paperwork Reduction Act process.
Accordingly, in addition to requesting emergency approval, SBA also requests that OMB waive the 60day public comment notice required by 5 C.F.R. §1320.8(2)(d)(1). If this request for emergency
processing is approved, SBA will subsequently take the necessary steps to comply with the notice
requirements.
SBA appreciates your prompt attention to this matter and looks forward to receiving your emergency
approval by March 27, 2020.
Sincerely,

CYNTHIA
PITTS

Digitally signed by
CYNTHIA PITTS
Date: 2020.03.26
17:24:14 -04'00'

James Rivera
Associate Administrator
Office of Disaster Assistance