Congress is careening toward a government shutdown–yet again.

Get your documents in order.

Zaabel, who manages Newity’s borrower application process, says the best thing a business owner can do at the moment is to ensure that all the necessary documentation for their SBA loan is complete and with their bank or lender service provider. “That gives the lender some options ahead of the shutdown,” he says.

Don’t wait out the shutdown.

For business owners that have not yet submitted their SBA loan application and are concerned about not having enough time to clear the eligibility threshold before Saturday night, Zaabel says, still submit your application as soon as possible. Even if the federal government is closed, it’s better to keep working on your application and turn it in, rather than waiting for the shutdown to end, he adds. Even though the federal government would be closed and unable to issue new loan numbers, which authorize lenders to disperse and fund SBA loans, financial institutions will still be open for business.

“People hear ‘shutdown,’ and they think we might be pencils down. But for us, it’s really business as usual,” Zaabel says, adding that lenders and service lender providers like Newity can still work on compiling loan applications so that they are ready for the eventual reopening. “You’re going to want to be able to access that capital as soon as possible–as soon as the government starts back up again,” he says. “You don’t [want] to start from scratch or go back to working on your documents that you had set aside.”

Keep making your existing payments.

For borrowers with an existing SBA loan, Zaabel says, remember those payments are still due regardless of whether the federal government shuts down or not. 

Keep your lender informed.

Business owners, Zaabel says, should leverage their relationship with their banker or service lender provider. “Don’t be afraid to communicate,” he says. “It’s our job to be aware of what’s going on. Business owners have enough on their minds, and probably don’t need to add the fear of what’s going on in Washington, D.C., to that list.”