# What is a Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan?

**Short answer:** It is an SBA disaster loan of up to $2 million for a business whose essential employee is called to active duty. It covers ordinary operating expenses (sba.gov/disaster, read November 8, 2026).

Canonical page: https://www.sbaexpress.loans/answers/military-reservist-economic-injury-loan/
Last checked: 2026-11-08

A Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan, or MREIDL, helps a small business when an essential employee is called to active military duty. It covers ordinary and necessary operating expenses (sba.gov/disaster, read November 8, 2026).

## Key terms

- Maximum: $2 million. SBA can waive that limit if your business is a major source of employment.
- Amount: limited to actual economic injury as SBA calculates it, taking account of insurance and available funds.
- Maturity: up to 30 years, depending on ability to repay.
- First payment: deferred for 12 months, with no interest accruing during that time.

## When to apply

The filing period begins when the essential employee receives notice of expected call-up. It ends one year after the employee is discharged or released from active duty.

## Limits on use

Proceeds can cover ordinary and necessary operating expenses. They may not cover lost income or lost profits, replace regular commercial debt, refinance long-term debt or expand the business.

## Eligibility and collateral

Businesses able to fund their own recovery are not eligible. SBA must first determine whether credit is available from non-government sources without undue hardship. Collateral is required on loans over $50,000. SBA will not decline for lack of collateral, but you must pledge what is available.

Confirm the current interest rate with SBA at sba.gov/disaster.

## Sources

- [SBA, sba.gov/disaster, Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loans (read November 8, 2026)](https://www.sba.gov/disaster/)