Small Business Size Standards, Inflation Adjustment to Size Standards; Business Loan Program; Disaster Assistance Loan Program

SBA is adjusting its monetary-based size standards (e.g., receipts, net income, net worth, and financial assets), for the effect of inflation that has occurred since the last inflation adjustment in February 2002. Since the last inflation adjustment, the general level of prices has increased 8.7%. This action would restore small business eligibility to businesses that have lost that status due to inflation. In addition, this rule changes the process for determining the size of small business concerns applying for SBA Business Loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from a test considering only the primary industry of the applicant, to a two-part test considering both the primary industry of the applicant and the primary industry of the applicant with affiliates. This rule also changes the date on which SBA determines size status for purpose of EIDL applications for businesses located in disaster areas declared as a result of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.