Wait until later: Out of money, popular Small Business Administration loan program is on hold

Small business owners hoping to get a loan from the government are going to hear "wait until later."

The Small Business Administration's biggest lending program is on hold after the SBA ran out of money for loan guarantees. The agency on Thursday reached the $18.75 billion limit set by Congress on the amount of loans it can back in a fiscal year. The shutdown will force business owners to wait for loan approvals until money starts flowing again. That could happen if Congress raises the ceiling on the program, which backs what are called 7(a) loans. If lawmakers don't act, business owners will have to wait for the new fiscal year on Oct. 1.

The 7(a) loans are used for buying or running a businesses or buying equipment or property.