Four Weeks Left to Apply for Disaster Assistance

Saipan – Only one month remains for Saipan homeowners, renters, and business owners who suffered damages from Typhoon Soudelor to register.  Commonwealth and federal officials are urging anyone who still needs to register to do so before the registration deadline of October 5^th.

“The deadline is only a month away and we don’t want anyone with disaster damages to miss this opportunity for assistance,” said Commonwealth Governor Eloy Inos, “Register, get into the FEMA system and let’s find out what you are eligible for.”

Individuals and households on  Saipan can register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362; those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

Multilingual interpreters are available at the FEMA registration number, including Chinese, Tagalog, Japanese, and Korean.

Survivors can also apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.  

Survivors should have the following information when they register:

·         Address with zip code

·         Directions to property

·         Condition of your damaged home

·         Insurance information, if available

·         Phone number where you can be contacted

·         Address where you can get mail

·         Social Security Number **If you do not have your SSN card, you can show a Medicare/Medicaid card, W2 form, or filed tax return.

“The October 5 deadline is coming up quickly,” Federal Coordinating Officer Stephen M. DeBlasio Sr., said. “If you know someone who was affected by Typhoon Soudelor, please encourage them to take a few minutes to register with FEMA and learn how we can help them.”

Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repair and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources.

US Small Business Administration:

Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to businesses and homeowners to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. EIDL assistance is available to businesses regardless of any property damage.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.875 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY 1-800-877-8339).

For the latest information on CNMI’s recovery from Typhoon Soudelor, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4235