Disaster Assistance Is for Georgia Renters, Too

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Renters in 10 Georgia counties where homes and property were damaged by Hurricane Matthew may be eligible for federal disaster assistance.

Federal grants can help pay for temporary housing not covered by insurance. These rental grants are initially for two months.

Federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and households in Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Wayne counties. Damage or losses from Hurricane Matthew must have occurred Oct. 4-15.

Also, the U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest disaster loans to help Georgia renters repair or replace disaster-damaged personal property, including automobiles. Loan terms can be as long as 30 years, and renters may be eligible for up to $40,000 to replace personal property.

Both renters and homeowners may qualify for grants for other disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs such as clothing, child care, room furnishings and appliances, medical and dental costs, vehicles and moving and storage expenses. Eligibility for some grants requires first submitting an SBA loan application.

Applying for disaster assistance is a two-step process that ensures consideration for all FEMA programs and the SBA disaster loans. First, register with FEMA, then complete and return the SBA loan application, if one is offered.

Disaster survivors may register the following ways:

• Online at DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish).
• Download the FEMA mobile app (also in Spanish).
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA). Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. Toll-free numbers are open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

• Help is available in most languages and information on the registration process is available in ASL at http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/videos/111546.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. Insurance is a property owner’s first line of defense. Most homeowner’s policies will cover wind damage; only a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program covers flood-related losses. Those who suffered damage may need to file claims under both the flood insurance policy and FEMA disaster assistance, which may be available to cover uninsured or underinsured losses.

For more information about SBA disaster loans, call SBA’s disaster assistance customer service center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit sba.gov/disaster. TTY users can call 800-877-8339.  Applicants may also apply online using the electronic loan application via SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

For updates on Georgia’s Hurricane Matthew response and recovery, follow @GeorgiaEMA and @FEMARegion4 on Twitter and visit gemhsa.ga.gov and fema.gov/disaster/4284. 

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