Small businesses can apply for SBA disaster loans in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. On October 22, the SBA published regulations to authorize Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) across the country. Small businesses that suffered substantial economic injury as a direct result of these attacks, or a federal action taken directly after the attacks, are eligible. EIDLs will provide businesses with cash to pay ordinary and necessary operating expenses that they could have paid had the disaster not occurred. The SBA determines the amount of economic injury, the term of each loan and the payment amount, based on individual circumstances. The application deadline is Jan. 21, 2002. To find out more about the SBA’s disaster assistance program, visit the website at www.sba.gov/disaster.