Throwing Away An SBA Loan Packet Is Like Throwing Away Money

PURVIS, Miss. – Anyone seeking disaster assistance who does not return their U.S. Small Business Administration loan application could be throwing money away.

Officials from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency urge disaster assistance applicants – renters, homeowners and business owners – to understand the application is a critical step in determining eligibility for all forms of assistance.

The number one mistake people make is assuming SBA packets are only for businesses or simply choosing to ignore the application because they do not want to take out a loan. The application is important; it gives FEMA the information needed to get the proper aid to the disaster survivor.

“SBA loans are an affordable means to pay for up to 100 percent of your uninsured disaster-related losses,” said Jack Camp, SBA spokesperson. “Completing the application is free and easy and you are not obligated to accept a loan if one is offered.”

If a disaster survivor does not qualify for a low-interest loan, completing the forms can be a bridge to additional disaster grant programs. These may include items not normally covered under the SBA disaster loan programs, such as medical and dental bills, funeral expenses and disaster debris removal.

A FEMA grant may be just the beginning of disaster assistance to eligible survivors.

FEMA grants address survivors’ immediate disaster-related needs. They may cover disaster-related expenses such as essential home repairs, replacement of personal property, transportation or the rental of equipment.

“Grants are great, but they don’t cover everything,” said Camp. SBA loans remain the primary source of long-term recovery aid. SBA loans can help survivors fully recover after a disaster.

It takes about 30 minutes to fill out an application and help is available to complete it. Disaster survivors can call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or TTY at 800-877-8339 or go to one of Mississippi’s three Disaster Recovery Centers to meet face-to-face with an SBA representative:

  • Ben McNair Recreation Center at 300 North 12th Ave., Hattiesburg
  • Petal Civic Center at 712 S. Main St., Petal
  • Lamar Park at 226 Pinewood Dr., Hattiesburg

Survivors also can apply online using the electronic loan applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Don’t throw away money. Fill out the SBA application and return as soon as possible.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Original post: 

Throwing Away An SBA Loan Packet Is Like Throwing Away Money

Greene, Perry, Counties Designated for Disaster Assistance

PURVIS, Miss. – Two additional counties have been designated for disaster assistance to households and businesses as part of Mississippi’s federal disaster declaration, according to officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  The latest counties are Greene and Perry, bringing the total number of counties to seven that have been designated eligible for disaster assistance.

Counties previously designated are Forrest, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Marion and Wayne.

The first step in recovering from the recent tornadoes, storms and flooding is to register, which is a simple process. There are several ways:

  • Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by mobile device at m.fema.gov any time day or night.
  • By phone or video relay at 800-621-FEMA (3362) daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Help is available in many languages.
  • By TTY at 800-462-7585.
  • C-Spire Wireless customers can register by calling #362.

Homeowners and renters can register for federal disaster assistance that may include:

  • Temporary housing.
  • Home repairs.
  • Other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs.
  • Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration that may cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

People in the newly designated counties who have already registered for federal disaster assistance do not need to do so again. If they have any questions about their applications for disaster assistance, they should call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

 

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Greene, Perry, Counties Designated for Disaster Assistance

NOAA, FEMA Launch National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

TRENTON, N.J. — FEMA, in conjunction with the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration has launched its second annual National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. This week focuses on you, your family and your community being prepared in the event of a disaster.

Each year people are killed or injured due to hurricanes, blizzards or other natural disasters despite early warnings. In 2012, there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 injuries.

Putting together a disaster supply kit is essential to making sure that your family has the provisions needed for each individual. Some kits may need additional items if there are seniors or infants in the house.

Developing an emergency plan is the groundwork for your family to prepare itself if a disaster strikes without warning. Collect information from FEMA and your local emergency management offices

and gather your family members and discuss the information to put in the plan. After the plan is in place, exchange contact information and make sure that it remains current.

As FEMA and other federal partners can support, individuals can contribute to preparing themselves and their community for severe weather in their area. After Sandy, countless New Jerseyans have given their time to helping strangers with anything from providing food and water to clearing debris from the streets. It is this “How can I help?” attitude that speeds up the recovery process and leads to a stronger, more resilient community.

Just as important, NOAA suggests that everyone not only be prepared but inspire others to do the same. NOAA’s “Be a Force of Nature” toolkit offers a variety of ways you can help spread the word among your friends and neighbors to always be prepared for severe weather.

Visit ready.gov/severe-weather or noaa.gov/wrn to learn more about severe weather and to be better prepared.

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

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. 

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Link: 

NOAA, FEMA Launch National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

Don’t Miss Out on FEMA Help

PURVIS, Miss. – Homeowners, renters and businesses in Forrest, Jefferson Davis, Lamar, Marion and Wayne are eligible for federal disaster assistance. But not everyone affected by the storm’s destruction has registered for FEMA aid.

“There are many misconceptions about getting help,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating OfficerTerry Quarles. “Often people who would qualify for assistance miss out because they don’t understand how the process works.”

Some people believe that since they have already cleaned up and made whatever repairs were needed that they can’t apply for assistance. Some are worried that accepting money from FEMA might have an impact on their Social Security checks or would be taxed as income by the IRS. Others might feel hesitant in accepting FEMA money because “my neighbor needs it more than I do.”

A few disaster survivors think that when they collect their insurance claims, even if the amount they receive falls short of covering repair or replacement costs, they aren’t qualified to get any federal help.

The most common reason that people don’t register for assistance is the idea that having alerted local, county or state officials – or even such organizations as the American Red Cross – about the damages and other losses they suffered that they automatically get registered with FEMA.

But these assumptions are not based on fact.

“It’s perfectly logical to think that once you talk to any emergency official, the process has started,” said Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Director Robert Latham. “But that is not correct. The thing to do is call the FEMA registration line at 800-621-3362 and let them decide if you qualify for help.”

FEMA registration is simple and can be completed several ways:

  • Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov any time day or night.
  • By phone or video relay at 800-621-3362 daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Help is available in many languages.
  • By TTY at 800-462-7585.
  • C-Spire Wireless customers can register by calling #362.
  • By web-enabled mobile devices at m.fema.gov. Select “Disaster Survivor” then “Apply Online for FEMA Assistance.”

“FEMA is here to support the state of Mississippi’s efforts to come to the aid of area residents,” Quarles said. “We want to make sure everybody who is eligible for assistance gets the help he or she needs and deserves.”

Mississippians have until April 15 to apply for assistance, but FEMA urges anyone affected by the storm to register right away.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

 

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Excerpt from:

Don’t Miss Out on FEMA Help

FEMA launches National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

NEW YORK – The Federal Emergency Management Agency, in conjunction with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has launched its second annual National Severe Weather Preparedness Week. This week focuses on you, your family and your community being prepared in the event of a disaster.

Each year people are killed or injured due to hurricanes, blizzards or other natural disasters despite early warnings. In 2012, there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 weather-related injuries.

Putting together a disaster supply kit is essential to making sure that your family has the provisions needed for each individual. Some kits may need additional items if there are seniors or infants in the house.  Developing an emergency plan is the groundwork for your family to prepare itself if a disaster strikes without warning. Collect information on preparedness from local emergency management agencies and FEMA. Make a plan with your family and discuss the information to put into the plan.

Individuals can contribute to preparing themselves and their community for severe weather in their area. As Hurricane Sandy demonstrated, New Yorkers gave their time to helping neighbors and strangers, from providing food and water to clearing debris from the streets. It is this “How can I help?” attitude that speeds up the recovery process and leads to a stronger, more resilient community.

Visit Ready.gov/severe-weather or Noaa.gov/wrn to learn more about severe weather and to be better prepared.

Original article – 

FEMA launches National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

Preliminary Flood Maps in Calhoun, Jackson & Refugio, TX Ready for Public View: Public Open Houses Scheduled

DENTON, Texas –Homeowners, renters and business owners in the Texas counties of Calhoun, Jackson and Refugio are encouraged to look over newly released preliminary flood maps in order to determine their flood risks and make informed decisions.

County officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are presenting the preliminary maps to communities and unincorporated areas in order to help leaders and residents identify known flood risks and use that information to make decisions about buying flood insurance and how the community should move forward with any development.

The Texas-based coastal flood mapping effort follows the release of a new, comprehensive storm surge study that gives updated information on coastal flood risks. To share that data, public workshops are scheduled in each of the counties where interested citizens can obtain more information about the proposed changes.

Calhoun County                    Refugio County                                 Jackson County

Tuesday, March 12               Wednesday, March 13                      Thursday, March 14

Bauer Community Center        Refugio County Community Center     Jackson County Services Bldg.

2300 Hwy 35                            305 Swift Street                                   411 N Wells Street

Port Lavaca, TX                       Refugio, TX                                         Edna, TX

2 p.m. – 8 p.m.                         2 p.m. – 8 p.m.                                    2 p.m. – 8 p.m.

“As we work together with our state and local partners to bring this critical information to these counties, we ask that everyone review the maps to understand what flood risks are involved,” said FEMA R6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “The role of the community as an active partner in the flood mapping process is very important.”

Additional information is available, including links to the interactive mapping website on www.txchart.com. Residents can also contact the floodplain administrator in each county for more details.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.    Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

Continue at source – 

Preliminary Flood Maps in Calhoun, Jackson & Refugio, TX Ready for Public View: Public Open Houses Scheduled

Jefferson Davis County Designated for Disaster Assistance

PURVIS, Miss. – Jefferson Davis County has been designated for disaster assistance to households

and businesses as part of Mississippi’s federal disaster declaration, according to officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  Counties previously designated are Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Wayne.

The first step in receiving assistance is to register, which is a simple process. There are several ways:

Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by mobile device at m.fema.gov any time day or night.

  • By phone or video relay at 800-621-FEMA (3362) daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. Help is available in many languages.
  • By TTY at 800-462-7585.
  • C-Spire Wireless customers can register by calling #362.

Homeowners and renters can register for federal disaster assistance that may help pay for:

  • Temporary housing.
  • Home repairs.
  • Other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs.
  • Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration that may cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

People in Jefferson Davis County who have already registered for federal disaster assistance do not need to do so again. If they have any questions about their applications for disaster assistance, they should call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

 

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This article: 

Jefferson Davis County Designated for Disaster Assistance

Federal Aid Programs for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Obama’s major disaster declaration issued for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Assistance for Tribal Governments Can Include as Required:

  • Payment of not less than 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas and for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health.  (Source: FEMA funded, Tribe administered.)

How to Apply for Assistance:

  • Application procedures for the Tribal governments will be explained at a series of federal/Tribal applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the Tribe from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema ; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema  and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.

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Federal Aid Programs for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

President Declares Major Disaster for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced that federal disaster aid has been made available for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and ordered federal aid to supplement the Tribe’s efforts in the area affected by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides during the period of January 14-17, 2013.

Federal funding is available to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides.

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the Tribe. 

Michael Bolch has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected area.  Bolch said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Tribe and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.

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Stay informed of FEMA’s activities online: videos and podcasts available at www.fema.gov/medialibrary and www.youtube.com/fema ; follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/fema  and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fema.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

See original article:  

President Declares Major Disaster for Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Last Chance to Visit Disaster Recovery Centers in Marion, Wayne Counties – Others Remain Open

PURVIS, Miss. – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency remind those who want to meet with disaster recovery specialists that Saturday, March 2 will be the last day Disaster Recovery Centers in Marion and Wayne counties will be open. Three other centers will remain open.

Wayne and Marion county centers below will serve visitors from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday.

  • Mount Carmel Church of God, 573 Mount Carmel Church Rd., Foxworth
  • Waynesboro Fire Station, 710 Wayne St Waynesboro

Survivors can still meet with disaster-recovery specialists at three centers Monday through Saturday,

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • Ben McNair Recreation Center, 300 North 12th Ave., Hattiesburg
  • Petal Civic Center, 712 S. Main St., Petal
  • Lamar Park, 226 Pinewood Drive, Hattiesburg

Individuals can register for assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov or by smartphone or tablet at m.fema.gov. Applicants also may call 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-462-7585. Applicants who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. C-Spire customers can register by calling #362.

Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property loss and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

 

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Last Chance to Visit Disaster Recovery Centers in Marion, Wayne Counties – Others Remain Open

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