Recognizing the impact that losing a key employee may have on a small business, the Small Business Administration (SBA) offers the Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan (MREIDL) Program. Under this program, the SBA provides low interest loans (no more than 4 percent) to small businesses when they are unable to meet their ordinary and necessary operating expenses and financial obligations because an essential employee is called to active military duty from the reserves. However, a MREIDL cannot be used to cover lost income or profits, to replace regular commercial debt, to refinance long-term debt, or to expand the business.

For more information about the MREIDL program, visit the SBA's website. To obtain a MREIDL application, please contact the SBA Disaster Area Office that serves your state or territory. For more information on programs offered by the SBA, visit the SBA's website.

A sample military leave policy is available in the Business Tools area.