The U.S. Small Business Administration will implement a six-month deferment period for Maui businesses impacted by the wildfires, Hawaii’s congressional delegation announced Friday.

The deferment covers principal and interest payments, as well as a pause on interest accrual, and includes all COVID-19 economic injury disaster loans and any previous disaster loans that are still being repaid.

The delegation had sent a letter to the SBA asking for the deferment, saying it would give borrowers more time to determine their next steps after the fires.

“We are grateful the SBA has heeded our call and we’ll continue to support our families, businesses and communities to ensure they have the federal assistance they need to begin rebuilding,” the delegation said in a joint statement.

At the end of the six-month deferment, loan payments will return to the normal payment amount and interest accrual will resume on the outstanding principal balance. Borrowers still struggling financially at the end of the deferment should contact SBA to discuss additional options.

Borrowers in Hawaii but outside of Maui County can request a deferment of their payments and pause on interest accrual for six months due to financial hardship by the wildfires by submitting a request to their loan servicing center via lending.sba.gov.

COVID-19 economic injury disaster loan borrowers can call (833) 853-5638 or email COVIDEIDLServicing@sba.gov.