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Prompt Return Of SBA Disaster-Loan Application Speeds Aid Process

PURVIS, Miss. – Some people who have registered for federal assistance were sent an application for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration, and many are wondering why they got one.

Although nobody is required to accept an SBA loan, filling out the application is an important step in being considered for certain forms of disaster assistance. There is no need to actually take out a loan.

“The SBA disaster loans are the primary source of long-term recovery aid,” according to SBA spokesman Jack Camp. “The application gives us and FEMA the information we need to get the proper aid for each applicant.”

“We encourage anyone who received an SBA loan application to return it as soon as possible,” Camp said. “Filling out the loan application carries no obligation to accept a loan, but it does help speed the disaster-assistance process.”

SBA representatives are on duty at the FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers to help individuals complete and submit disaster-loan applications and answer any questions. The locations of the centers are available at fema.gov. Click on the link “Apply for Assistance” and then “Disaster Recovery Center locations.”

The SBA toll-free number is (800)-659-2955; TTY is (800)-877-8339. Help is also available by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or on the Web site at www.sba.gov.

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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Prompt Return Of SBA Disaster-Loan Application Speeds Aid Process

More Federal Assistance to Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Wayne Counties

PEARL, Miss. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that the four counties in the Mississippi federal disaster declaration – Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Wayne – are eligible to receive additional disaster assistance in recovering from the storms and tornadoes of Feb. 10.

In an amendment to the original presidential declaration, Forrest and Lamar counties are now eligible to receive Public Assistance in Categories C through G:

Category C – Roads and Bridges

Category D – Water Control Facilities,
Category E – Public Buildings and Equipment
Category F – Utilities,
Category G – Parks, Recreational Facilities, and other items.

The Public Assistance program reimburses state and local governments, tribal organizations and certain private nonprofit entities at least 75 percent of costs for disaster-related expenses associated with emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repair and restoration of damaged infrastructure. The remaining 25 percent comes from non-federal funds.

Forrest and Lamar counties were already designated as eligible for assistance with debris removal and emergency protective measures (Public Assistance Categories A and B).

Marion and Wayne counties are now eligible to receive Public Assistance in all categories.

All four counties had been designated as eligible for Individual Assistance. FEMA’s individual assistance program helps eligible applicants with temporary housing assistance, uninsured personal property losses and medical, dental and funeral expenses caused by the disaster, along with other disaster-related expenses and serious needs. Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to cover residential and business losses not covered by insurance.

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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More Federal Assistance to Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Wayne Counties

Disaster Assistance Nears $12 Million in Livingston Parish

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly six months since the Aug. 29, 2012, federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, nearly $12 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for the parish. Disaster assistance for survivors and their communities in Livingston Parish now totals $11,999,429.

Livingston Parish by the Numbers

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $7,900,306

Housing Assistance approved: $6,906,944
Other Needs Assistance approved: $993,362

TOTAL Public Assistance obligations: $1,253,023

TOTAL U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans: $2,846,100

Free crisis counseling is still available to children and adults in Livingston Parish by calling 866-295-6495 or after hours and weekends, 800-272-8367. Trained counselors are provided by a network of state human services authorities and districts to take calls and meet with survivors face to face if a follow-up session is needed.

“Programs such as crisis counseling are in place to meet the continuing emotional needs of survivors,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard Stolar of FEMA. “Receiving the right support can help most survivors continue to move on with their lives following Hurricane Isaac.”

Survivors affected by Hurricane Isaac who would like to speak to a FEMA representative may call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Survivors who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362.

More information on Louisiana disaster recovery is available online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. FEMA is also on Twitter at twitter.com/femaregion6 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA.

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Disaster Assistance Nears $12 Million in Livingston Parish

Disaster Assistance Tops $16.5 Million in Tangipahoa Parish

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly six months since the Aug. 29, 2012, federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, more than $16.5 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for the parish. Disaster assistance for survivors and their communities in Tangipahoa Parish now totals $16,521,281.

Tangipahoa Parish by the Numbers

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $10,936,953

Housing Assistance approved: $9,304,212
Other Needs Assistance approved: $1,632,740

TOTAL Public Assistance obligations: $1,408,928

TOTAL U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans: $4,175,400

Free crisis counseling is still available to children and adults in Tangipahoa Parish by calling 866-295-6495 or after hours and weekends, 800-272-8367. Trained counselors are provided by a network of state human services authorities and districts to take calls and meet with survivors face to face if a follow-up session is needed.

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Disaster Assistance Tops $16.5 Million in Tangipahoa Parish

Disaster Assistance Nears $31 Million in St. Tammany Parish

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly six months since the Aug. 29, 2012, federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, nearly $31 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for the parish. Disaster assistance for survivors and their communities in St. Tammany Parish now totals $30,917,776.

St. Tammany Parish by the Numbers

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $9,815,078

Housing Assistance approved: $7,699,651
Other Needs Assistance approved: $2,115,427

TOTAL Public Assistance obligations: $6,995,598

TOTAL U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans: $14,107,100

Free crisis counseling is still available to children and adults in St. Tammany Parish by calling 866-295-6495 or after hours and weekends, 800-272-8367. Trained counselors are provided by a network of state human services authorities and districts to take calls and meet with survivors face to face if a follow-up session is needed.

Source:

Disaster Assistance Nears $31 Million in St. Tammany Parish

Disaster Assistance Nears $58 Million in Orleans Parish

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly six months since the Aug. 29, 2012, federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, nearly $58 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for the parish. Disaster assistance for survivors and their communities in Orleans Parish now totals $57,966,406.

Orleans Parish by the Numbers

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $14,211,934

Housing Assistance approved: $10,233,998
Other Needs Assistance approved: $3,977,936

TOTAL Public Assistance obligations: $25,138,072

TOTAL U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans: $18,616,400

Free crisis counseling is still available to children and adults in Orleans Parish by calling 504-826-2675. Trained counselors are provided by a network of state human services authorities and districts to take calls and meet with survivors face to face if a follow-up session is needed.

Disaster Assistance Nears $58 Million in Orleans Parish

Disaster Assistance Tops $66 Million in Jefferson Parish

BATON ROUGE, La. – Nearly six months since the Aug. 29, 2012, federal disaster declaration for Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana, more than $66 million in state and federal disaster assistance has been approved for the parish. Disaster assistance for survivors and their communities in Jefferson Parish now totals $66,002,788.

Jefferson Parish by the Numbers

TOTAL Individual Assistance grants: $17,973,620

Housing Assistance approved: $14,210,283
Other Needs Assistance approved: $3,763,338

TOTAL Public Assistance obligations: $17,185,668

TOTAL U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans: $30,843,500

Free crisis counseling is still available to children and adults in Jefferson Parish by calling 504-532-5123. Trained counselors are provided by a network of state human services authorities and districts to take calls and meet with survivors face to face if a follow-up session is needed.

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Disaster Assistance Tops $66 Million in Jefferson Parish

FEMA Helpline is Useful Tool for Disaster Survivors

WINDSOR, Conn. — Hurricane Sandy survivors who have registered for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency have a useful tool at their fingertips: their phone.

Although the deadline has passed for hurricane survivors to register for assistance, survivors may check status of applications or receive other assistance by calling the FEMA Helpline, 800-621-3362. Helpline hours are from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern, seven days a week. The TTY number is 800-462-7585. Multilingual operators are available.

FEMA urges all applicants to stay in touch with FEMA, especially to keep contact information up to date. This can be done by phone or online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or at m.fema.gov on a smartphone or other web device.

Survivors creating a profile online may view application status or FEMA documents sent to them, but cannot submit new information other than contact data. However, via the Helpline, survivors may:

Update insurance information;
Receive information on the home inspection process;
Add or delete a person designated to speak for the applicant;
Find out if FEMA needs more information about the claim;
Learn how to appeal a FEMA application decision; and
Get answers to any other questions they might have about their application.

Insured applicants should not wait on FEMA to file an insurance claim. They should provide FEMA a copy of the insurance settlement as soon as it is available. FEMA does not duplicate insurance benefits, but applicants may discover their insurance does not cover as much as they thought it would and the settlement could prompt reconsideration for an applicant declared ineligible for assistance. The Helpline can provide answers to any question regarding insurance and its impact on FEMA assistance.

Any decision of FEMA can be appealed within 60 days of the determination. The Helpline can provide details on where to file a written appeal.

Applicants with questions regarding the U.S. Small Business Administration loan application may call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY users, call 800-877-8339). Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern, and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private, nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and covers the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

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FEMA Helpline is Useful Tool for Disaster Survivors

Disaster Recovery Center Opens In Petal

PEARL, Miss. – A new Disaster Recovery Center is open in Petal, giving disaster survivors in Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Wayne counties a third location for meeting face-to-face with recovery specialists. The center is located at:

Petal Civic Center (Forrest County)

714 South Main St.

Petal, MS 39465

Disaster survivors can also visit Disaster Recovery Centers in two other locations:

Ben McNair Recreation Center (Forrest County)
300 North 12^th Ave.
Hattiesburg, MS 39401

Lamar Park (Lamar County)

226 Pinewood Drive

Hattiesburg, MS 39402

All three centers are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Disaster Recovery Centers are staffed with recovery professionals from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration who can provide information and answer questions about disaster-related assistance.

In addition to state and federal disaster assistance experts, residents can meet with representatives from voluntary and faith-based groups to help with any additional unmet needs in the Disaster Recovery Centers.

The first step to receiving federal disaster aid is to register with 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-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.
By web-enabled mobile devices at m.fema.gov. Select “Disaster Survivor” then “Apply Online for FEMA Assistance.”

Those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service, call 800-621-3362.

Disaster assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Survivors are encouraged to register before visiting a center if possible. Specialists at the center can explain the disaster assistance process, describe the types of help available, and answer survivors’ questions.

The presidential disaster declaration makes funds available to individuals and families in Forrest, Lamar, Marion and Wayne counties who were affected by the Feb. 10 storms and tornadoes. Funds are also available to the state of Mississippi to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in the affected areas.

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Disaster Recovery Center Opens In Petal

Hurricane Isaac Louisiana Recovery Assistance Tops Half-Billion Milestone

BATON ROUGE, La. – State and federal recovery from Hurricane Isaac in Louisiana has hit a new milestone, topping half a billion dollars since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said.

The total includes more than $129.6 million in grants from FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) program, more than $160 million in low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and nearly $214.5 million in reimbursements to state agencies and local governments from FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program.

“FEMA’s top priority is clear: help Louisiana’s survivors, their families, business owners and their communities get a good start on their way to recovering from Isaac,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar of FEMA. “This money has provided a crucial boost to Louisiana as residents and communities rebuild, recover and look ahead to the future.”

IA grants include nearly $106.9 million in housing assistance and more than $22.7 million in Other Needs Assistance. Meanwhile, more than $185,000 in Disaster Unemployment Assistance has gone to workers who lost their jobs or people who are self-employed and unable to provide services because of the hurricane.

PA funds obligated so far have helped the state replenish dollars it spent to protect Louisianians before, during and after the storm and to remove tons of disaster-created debris. It also reimburses municipalities for repairs to disaster-damaged infrastructure. SBA long-term, low-interest loans enable homeowners, renters and businesses to replace, repair and rebuild their storm-damaged property.

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Hurricane Isaac Louisiana Recovery Assistance Tops Half-Billion Milestone

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