30 Minutes can make a Difference in Recovery from Sandy

SBA loan application is important part of the process

NEW YORK – In about half an hour, New York survivors of Hurricane Sandy can make a big difference in their recovery by applying for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The process isn’t hard at all. By returning the SBA loan application, homeowners may be eligible for up to $200,000 to repair or replace their storm-damaged home. Homeowners and renters may be eligible for up to $40,000 for replacement of personal property.

The form asks for the survivor’s name, contact information, Social Security number, mailing address, address of damaged property, income and assets, monthly housing cost, insurance information, debts and credit references. The language is clear and the application is not long.

• SBA customer service representatives are available to issue or accept low-interest disaster loan applications and answer questions at all New York State/FEMA Disaster Recovery centers and SBA Business Recovery Centers.
  • To find the nearest Disaster Recovery Center, go online to www.FEMA.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or, with a tablet or smartphone, go to m.fema.gov. Survivors may also text “DRC” and their Zip code to 43362 (4FEMA).
  • To locate the nearest Business Recovery Center, visit www.sba.gov or call      800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339.)      
• Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ELA. More information is available by calling the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center toll-free number, 800-659-2955    (TTY 800-877-8339). Assistance is also available by email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or by visiting www.sba.gov.

If SBA finds the applicant eligible for a loan, there is no obligation to accept it. But filling out the application, whether or not a loan is offered, opens the door to other possible assistance, including additional federal grant funds for homeowners and renters.

So it’s worth spending a few minutes to ensure that the widest possible array of benefits is available.

The deadline for returning an SBA disaster loan application is Jan. 28.

For more information on New York’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/SandyNY, www.twitter.com/FEMASandy, www.facebook.com/FEMASandy and www.fema.gov/blog.