FEMA Registration Deadline Two Weeks Away for West, Texas Plant Explosion Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas –Homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damages from the April 17 fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas have two weeks left to register for disaster assistance from the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The registration deadline for FEMA disaster assistance is June 18.

“We’re urging residents with explosion-related damages to apply for FEMA assistance before June 18 and keep us posted of any insurance settlements they may receive,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes of FEMA. “This allows us to continue processing their registrations for any unmet needs.”

A U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) is open at the POINTWEST Bank located at 210 N. Roberts Rd in West, Texas. The DLOC hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice. At the DLOC, SBA representatives will answer questions, explain the application process, help individuals and businesses apply for low-interest disaster loans and close their approved disaster loans.  FEMA Individual Assistance specialists are available at the DLOC to answer questions and provide information on the types of disaster assistance available from FEMA.

“Residents are encouraged to visit the DLOC or they may contact our FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 with any specific questions or concerns,” said Hannes. “We remain committed to helping West survivors until they have received all the state and federal assistance they are eligible for and we will be here as long as needed.”  

SBA’s Disaster Assistance will continue to be available beyond June 18. The filing deadline to return SBA applications for property damage is July 1, 2013.  The deadline to return economic injury applications is February 3, 2014.

Survivors should register now at www.disasterassistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585.  Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information about SBA’s Disaster Assistance, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659 2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov.  Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877 8339.  Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.