Janesville Recovery Center Offers FEMA, SBA Help Before Aug. 31

A disaster recovery center in Janesville is offering in-person help to people affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Rock County during the April 13-23, 2026, incident period. For many applicants, the key filing deadline is Aug. 31, 2026.

The center opened July 15 at the Dr. Daniel Hale Williams Resource Center, 1717 Center Avenue, in Janesville. FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration are assisting Rock County residents, businesses and eligible private nonprofits with applications, questions and appeals.

Who may be eligible

Residents whose homes or personal property were damaged during the April 13-23 incident period may qualify for FEMA Individual Assistance, depending on federal program rules and an evaluation of their losses. Homeowners and renters may also be eligible for certain SBA disaster loans. Businesses and qualifying private nonprofits may seek SBA assistance for physical damage or certain economic injuries.

Eligibility is not automatic, and applying does not guarantee approval or reimbursement. People who are unsure whether their losses qualify can still apply or ask recovery-center staff about the available programs.

FEMA and SBA assistance are different

FEMA Individual Assistance is intended to provide financial assistance and direct services to eligible individuals and households. It is not the same as an SBA loan.

SBA disaster assistance is generally repayable financing subject to eligibility requirements, financial review, interest rates and loan terms. Physical-disaster loans may help eligible homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits repair or replace damaged property. Economic Injury Disaster Loans can address certain working-capital losses for eligible businesses and nonprofits, including situations in which physical damage is not the primary issue.

The distinction matters when applicants compare options. FEMA assistance does not create the same repayment obligation as an SBA loan, while approved and accepted SBA financing must be repaid under its loan terms.

What applicants should prepare

People seeking help should gather identification, proof of address, income information, details about the damage, insurance records and banking information. Documentation can help agencies review an application, but applicants should not wait until every document is assembled before asking about the filing process.

FEMA applications and appeals can be handled through official FEMA channels, including online and telephone options, as well as in person at the recovery center. SBA representatives can explain whether an applicant may qualify for physical-damage or economic-injury assistance and what financial information is required.

Deadlines and hours

Aug. 31, 2026, is the deadline for FEMA applications and SBA applications for physical property damage. The SBA deadline for Economic Injury Disaster Loan applications is March 30, 2027.

City and Rock County information lists the broader recovery center as operating Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The SBA notice lists its business-recovery operation as Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., while regional reporting has described different daily hours. Applicants should verify the current schedule and confirm which agency is available before traveling to 1717 Center Avenue.

The center gives Janesville-area storm victims a local place to receive one-on-one guidance, but applicants should not wait until Aug. 31 to begin. The filing deadline does not guarantee that the center will remain open that day or that an application will be processed immediately.

Sources

• City of Janesville disaster recovery notice
• Rock County storm and flood recovery information
• U.S. Small Business Administration recovery-center announcement
• WMTV 15 News local report