FEMA Registration and SBA Disaster Loan Application are Key to Hurricane Recovery

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – For many Floridians who need help recovering from Hurricane Matthew, registering with FEMA and completing a disaster loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are essential.

To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors should first register for assistance with FEMA, in any of the following ways:

  • Online at disasterassistance.gov;
  • On the FEMA Mobile App;
  • Call FEMA at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711/VRS-Video Relay Service) (TTY: 800-462-7585). Multilingual operators are available (for Spanish, press 2);
  • At a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To find the nearest one, go online to the DRC locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator. SBA representatives at all Disaster Recovery Centers will help individuals complete and submit loan applications and answer any questions.

Second to insurance, SBA low-interest disaster loans are the primary source of financial assistance to rebuild disaster-damaged private property for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofit organizations. A completed SBA loan application is also an important step in order to qualify for other state and FEMA grants that cover personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, moving and storage expenses and other help.

SBA loans are low-interest, and long-term. In some cases, SBA can refinance all or part of an existing mortgage. SBA loan officers work to come up with a plan that fits a survivor’s budget.

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.  Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for $40,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed personal property. If SBA does not offer a homeowner or renter a loan, they are referred to FEMA for possible additional grant consideration.

The SBA disaster declaration covers the counties of Brevard, Duval, Flagler, Indian River, Nassau Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns and Volusia, which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Lake, Marion, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola and St. Lucie.

The SBA has opened Business Recovery Centers (BRC) in St. Johns and Volusia counties to help Florida businesses impacted by Hurricane Matthew:

  • St. Johns County: St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, 1 News Place, Suite C, St. Augustine, FL 32086

Hours: Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Volusia County: Florida Department of Health-Volusia County, 1845 Holsonback Dr., Daytona Beach, FL 32117

Hours: Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Additional details on the loan application process can be obtained by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (TTY: 800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov (link sends e-mail), or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

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FEMA Registration and SBA Disaster Loan Application are Key to Hurricane Recovery

SBA Disaster Loan Application Used to Check Eligibility for Other Grants

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Georgia disaster survivors who suffered damage or loss from Hurricane Matthew and were referred to the U.S. Small Business Administration could lose some income-based FEMA grants if they don’t complete and submit SBA’s loan application.

FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance grants may cover uninsured losses for furniture, appliances and other essential personal property, even vehicles. Survivors will not be considered for this type of assistance unless they complete and return the SBA loan application. The information on the application is used to determine eligibility for income-based assistance.

Disaster survivors in Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Glynn, Liberty, Long, McIntosh and Wayne counties are encouraged to register with FEMA and, if referred, complete and submit an SBA loan application, even if they don’t want a loan. The application is used to check eligibility for additional grants.

SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses, private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters.

Survivors should start the loan process as soon as possible, and those who qualify for an SBA loan are under no obligation to accept it.  If approved and the loan is not accepted, the survivor may be ineligible for additional federal assistance.

Submit an SBA loan application even if you are waiting for an insurance settlement. Survivors do not have to wait for an insurance settlement. A survivor’s insurance policy may not cover all the replacement, repair and rebuilding costs. A disaster loan is available to cover the difference.

To repair or help rebuild a primary residence, a homeowner may borrow up to $200,000 from SBA. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 from SBA to replace personal property.

Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury. SBA offers low-interest working capital loans (called Economic Injury Disaster Loans)

to small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes having difficulty meeting obligations as a result of the disaster.

Damage from Hurricane Matthew must have occurred Oct. 4-15. Survivors can register with

FEMA the following ways:

The filing deadline to return SBA loan applications for physical property damage is Dec. 16. The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 17, 2017.

For more information about SBA 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.

Disaster survivors may also visit any disaster recovery center where SBA customer service representatives can answer questions, help complete loan applications and close loans. For the nearest location go to asd.fema.gov/inter/locator/home.htm.

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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SBA Disaster Loan Application Used to Check Eligibility for Other Grants

FEMA Announces Funding Awards for Fiscal Year 2016 Homeland Security National Training Program Continuing Training Grants

WASHINGTON — Federal Emergency Management Agency officials announced funding awards for the Fiscal Year 2016 Continuing Training Grants program.

The Homeland Security National Training Program’s Continuing Training Grants will provide $11.5 million to selected recipients for the development and delivery of innovative training programs.  These programs will be national in scope and are designed to support communities to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and natural, man-made, and technological hazards.

FEMA’s administers these grants as cooperative agreements through the National Training and Education Division and are awarded to the following recipients for a number of categories:

  • Economic Recovery: The National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University receives $1,506,000.
  • Cybersecurity: The University of Texas at San Antonio, representing the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium, receives $3,015,000.
  • Hazardous Materials: Georgia Tech Research Institute receives $1 million; and The International Association of Fire Fighters also receives $1 million.
  • Rural Preparedness: The Center for Rural Development, representing the Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium, receives $5 million.

This highly competitive program attracted applicants from state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, along with eligible non-profit organizations to include colleges and universities.  This year, 27 applicants competed and FEMA made five awards.

For more information on this program and to request FEMA training, please go to www.firstrespondertraining.gov.   

 

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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 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.

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FEMA Announces Funding Awards for Fiscal Year 2016 Homeland Security National Training Program Continuing Training Grants

Louisiana Farmers and Ranchers Have Options for Assistance

BATON ROUGE, La. – Farmers and ranchers affected by the August flooding could be eligible for assistance from several agencies.

Louisiana emergency management officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency can assist survivors who are farmers and ranchers with some immediate personal needs.

The U.S. Small Business Administration offers low-interest loans to farmers and ranchers for rebuilding or repairing their primary homes and replacing lost or damaged personal property. Call the SBA at 916-764-9918.

  • To begin the application process, call FEMA at 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585, or for those who use 711 or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 800-621-3362. You may also apply online with any computer, smartphone or tablet at www.DisasterAssistance.gov

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency has programs that are tailored to help with recovery. Visit the department’s website at: www.fsa.usda.gov.                                       

The Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program provides financial assistance for non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory or disrupted planting occur because of natural disasters.

The Livestock Indemnity Program provides payments for livestock death losses in excess of normal mortality caused by the disaster.

The Tree Assistance Program helps nursery tree growers and orchardists.

The Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program provides relief for feed losses and/or water shortages because of disaster.

The Emergency Conservation Program provides funding to rehabilitate land severely damaged by a natural disaster.

Government officials leaned over soybean crops on the edge of a soybean crop field.

Randolph Johnson, Jr., Louisiana Assistant State Conservationist for the USDA (foreground), shows visiting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, Jay Williams, dead soybeans pods hanging from the unharvested crops of farmer Ricky Roussel in Lutcher, La. Roussel estimates 850 of his 1,000 acres of soybean crops were lost to the 2016 historic flooding in Louisiana. (Photo by J.T. Blatty/FEMA)

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Louisiana Farmers and Ranchers Have Options for Assistance

SBA Low-Interest Disaster Loans Critical to West Virginia Recovery

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials are urging disaster relief applicants to complete and return the loan application forms from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Completing the loan application is a critical part of the disaster assistance process. It can keep the door open to all federal assistance, including possible additional grants, from FEMA.

Assistance from FEMA may not cover all damage or property loss. The SBA loan application, however, may make FEMA assistance available to replace essential household items, replace or repair a damaged vehicle, or pay storage costs. It is critical that the SBA loan application be completed and returned before further FEMA assistance may be considered.

Many West Virginians who register for disaster assistance through FEMA may receive an automated call from SBA with information on how to complete the loan application process. Completing and submitting the SBA loan application, even if you do not want a loan or think you may not qualify for one, is a required step in obtaining some forms of disaster assistance.

SBA provides low-interest loans to businesses of all sizes (including landlords) and to homeowners, renters and eligible private nonprofit organizations that sustained disaster damage or losses during the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that began on June 22. There is no cost to apply for a loan.

Storm-impacted homeowners, renters and businesses in the designated 12 West Virginia counties may be eligible for federal assistance: Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers and Webster Counties. 

SBA has staff at all state and FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to assist businesses, homeowners and renters in completing their loan applications. Additionally, SBA Business Recovery Centers (BRCs) are now up and running to help businesses get back on their feet from damage they sustained during the storms. The BRCs, in Greenbrier, Kanawha and Nicholas counties, are a resource where businesses can meet face-to-face with SBA representatives to learn how a low-interest disaster loan can help them recover. The centers are located at:

Greenbrier County

Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corp.

804 Industrial Park, Suite 5 (click to link to map)

Maxwelton, WV  24957

Hours:  Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Kanawha County

Charleston Area Alliance

1116 Smith St. (click to link to map)

Charleston, WV  25301
Hours:  Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 

Nicholas County
Summersville City Hall
Conference Room
400 N. Broad St.
Summersville, WV 26651
Hours:  Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Additional information on the disaster loan program may be obtained by calling SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or 800-877-8339 (TTY/TDD) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov (link sends e-mail).  Loan applications can be downloaded from www.sba.gov.  Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. 

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SBA Low-Interest Disaster Loans Critical to West Virginia Recovery

Businesses, Nonprofits Can Seek Low-interest Disaster Loans to Aid Recovery

AUSTIN, Texas – Businesses and nonprofit organizations that sustained damage or losses from the May-June storms and floods can apply for a low-interest disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration to help with their recovery.

“SBA disaster loans are the major source of federal disaster recovery aid,” said Federal Coordinating Officer William J. Doran III, who is in charge of FEMA’s operations in Texas. “The interest rates are low—as low as 4 percent for businesses and 2.625 percent for nonprofits for the life of the loan.”

SBA offers two types of disaster loans to businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture and most nonprofits, including faith-based ones: physical disaster loans and economic injury disaster loans.

Physical disaster loans are used to repair or replace damaged buildings and business assets. Economic injury disaster loans help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, aquaculture businesses and most private nonprofits meet financial obligations they cannot meet because of the disaster.

Business owners may also be eligible to refinance existing liens or mortgages.

SBA low-interest disaster loans for businesses have several advantages:

  • SBA requires no collateral for both physical loans or economic injury loans less than $25,000. SBA requires the borrower to pledge as collateral only what is available, plus satisfactory credit and the ability to repay.
  • Applicants don’t have to wait for insurance settlements to obtain loans.
  • Loans are written for a length of time appropriate to the type of loan, but SBA may make adjustments in the length of the loan to lower the monthly payments. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
  • SBA offers mitigation loans to help pay for improvements to reduce potential for future damage. These mitigation funds are available for up to 20 percent of the total amount of disaster damage.
  • SBA never charges an application fee or points for its disaster loans.

By law, SBA business loans cannot exceed $2 million.  If a business is a major employer, SBA may waive the limit.

The deadline to file for a physical damage disaster loan is August 10. The deadline for an economic injury disaster loan is March 11, 2017.

No one is obligated to accept a loan if approved. SBA gives applicants six months to decide whether to accept a loan.

Applicants may apply online using the electronic loan application via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information, application forms and a list of counties eligible for assistance are available online at SBA.gov/disaster, from SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or by emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339.

SBA representatives are also available at disaster recovery centers to provide information about disaster loans, the application process or help completing an SBA application. To find the nearest one, go online to the disaster recovery center locator at asd.fema.gov/inter/locator.

Completed applications can be mailed to:
U.S. Small Business Administration
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Rd.
Fort Worth, TX  76155

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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.

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Businesses, Nonprofits Can Seek Low-interest Disaster Loans to Aid Recovery

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Working Across State

CHARLESTON, W. Va. — Twelve teams of disaster survivor assistance (DSA) specialists are now working in affected areas across West Virginia, helping survivors of the devastating floods, mudslides and landslides that began June 22.

The teams are made up of disaster specialists from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Using the latest mobile technology, DSA teams can register survivors with disaster assistance, update their records and make referrals to whole community partners. Team members tailor the information and services they provide to the individual survivor’s needs.

Like all FEMA field personnel, team members carry official identification. Residents are encouraged to ask for official identification before providing personal information.

In addition to the registration opportunity offered by recovery teams, survivors can register for assistance by the following methods:

  • Visit DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Call 800-621-3362. TTY users can call 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Services can call 800-621-3362 to register. 

By registering with FEMA, survivors may qualify for federal disaster assistance such as:

  • Grants to rent a temporary place to live.
  • Grants for essential home repairs not covered by insurance.
  • Grants for disaster-related needs not covered by insurance — such as medical, dental, transportation, funeral expenses, moving and storage fees, personal property loss and child care.

Registering with FEMA is also the first step in qualifying for help from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Low-interest disaster loans from SBA are available to businesses of all sizes (including landlords), homeowners, renters, and private non-profit organizations to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance. Low-interest disaster loans help fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property.  Economic injury disaster loans are available to businesses and private non-profits to assist with working capital.

Business owners can find an electronic loan application on the U.S. Small Business Administration’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Questions can be directed to the SBA Disaster Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955/ (TTY) 800-877-8339 or by visiting sba.gov.

West Virginians seeking information about disaster-related services and unmet needs should call West Virginia 211, a statewide information and referral service. Contact 211 for help finding food, childcare, crisis counseling, and many other resources in your local community.

The West Virginia Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) has set up a hotline for flood survivors needing free cleanup services: 800-451-1954. Volunteers who wish to help with flood response and recovery may sign up at www.volunteerwv.org or www.wvvoad.org. To make a financial donation, visit https://wvvoad.communityos.org/cms/home

To find current shelter locations for displaced survivors who need a place to stay overnight, please call the American Red Cross at 800-RED-CROSS or download the FEMA App on a mobile device.

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Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams Working Across State

Texans Urged to Apply for Low-Interest Disaster Loans to Aid Recovery

AUSTIN, Texas – Federal officials are urging applicants for federal assistance from the April 17-24 floods to complete a disaster loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration as part of their recovery process.

Officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and SBA said residents of eight counties – Austin, Colorado, Fayette, Grimes, Harris, Parker, Waller and Wharton – who sustained damage or losses from the storms and flooding should complete the loan application even if they don’t want a loan.

“Don’t be fooled by the name. The SBA helps homeowners and renters, too,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin Hannes, who is in charge of FEMA’s operations in Texas. “If you don’t complete the SBA loan application, you could be leaving ‘money on the table,’ for your recovery.”

That’s because Other Needs Assistance grants can pay for uninsured losses for storage, furniture, appliances and other personal property – even a car – but only if the individual or household does not qualify for the SBA loan.

Even if applicants are approved for a loan, they don’t have to take it. Assistance from FEMA can be used to help jump-start the recovery; it may not cover all damage or property loss. If approved, and the loan is not accepted, it may make the survivor ineligible for additional federal assistance.

Many Texans who register for disaster assistance with FEMA will receive an automated call from SBA with information on how to complete the loan application process. These low-interest SBA loans are the major source of funding for disaster recovery.

SBA provides low-interest loans to businesses of all sizes as well as landlords, homeowners, renters and eligible private nonprofit organizations that sustained disaster damage. There is no cost to apply for a loan.

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.813 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years.

  • Eligible homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 for home repair or replacement of primary residences, and eligible homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property, including a vehicle. 
  • Businesses of all sizes can qualify for up to $2 million in low-interest loans to help cover physical damage.
  • Small businesses and most private nonprofits suffering economic impact due to the severe weather and flooding can apply for up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury under SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

Applicants may apply online using the electronic loan application via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are available online at SBA.gov/disaster, from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339.

Completed applications should be mailed to:

U.S. Small Business Administration

Processing and Disbursement Center

14925 Kingsport Road

Fort Worth, TX  76155                                                                                                                                         

People with storm losses from April who need to register with FEMA can go online anytime at

DisasterAssistance.gov. Survivors also can register with FEMA by phone (voice, 711 or video relay service) at 800-621-3362 (FEMA), TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

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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.

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Texans Urged to Apply for Low-Interest Disaster Loans to Aid Recovery

Low-interest Disaster Loans Help Fuel Texas Disaster Recovery

AUSTIN, Texas – Disaster recovery experts today urged applicants for federal assistance to complete a disaster loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Taking a loan is not required; completing the application can open the door to all federal assistance, including possible additional grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. If approved, and a survivor does not accept the loan, it may make them ineligible for additional federal assistance.

Many Texans who register for disaster assistance with FEMA will receive an automated call from SBA with information on how to complete the loan application process. These low-interest SBA loans are the major source of funding for disaster recovery.

SBA provides low-interest loans to businesses of all sizes (including landlords) and to homeowners, renters and eligible private nonprofit organizations that sustained disaster damage. There is no cost to apply for a loan.

Assistance from FEMA is limited to help jump-start the recovery; it may not cover all damage or property loss. Completing the SBA loan application may make FEMA assistance available to replace essential household items, replace or repair a damaged vehicle, or pay for storage costs.

Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.625 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 1.813 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years.

  • Eligible homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 for home repair or replacement of primary residences, and eligible homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property, including a vehicle. 
  • Businesses of all sizes can qualify for up to $2 million in low-interest loans to help cover physical damages.
  • Small businesses and most private nonprofits suffering economic impact due to the severe weather and flooding can apply for up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury under SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and application forms are available online at SBA.gov/disaster, from SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339. Meet with an SBA representative at a Disaster Recovery Center to learn more about disaster loans, the application process or for help completing an SBA application.

Completed applications should be mailed to:

U.S. Small Business Administration

Processing and Disbursement Center

14925 Kingsport Road

Fort Worth, TX  76155

                                                                                                                                                   

People with storm losses, who still need to register with FEMA, can go online anytime at DisasterAssistance.gov. Survivors also can register with FEMA by phone (voice, 711 or video relay service) at 800-621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available.

Federal disaster assistance is available to residents of Erath, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Hood, Jasper, Limestone, Marion, Newton, Orange, Parker, Shelby and Tyler counties that suffered damage in the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, March 7-29.

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Low-interest Disaster Loans Help Fuel Texas Disaster Recovery

Keep Your Options Open by Submitting an SBA Application Today

Keep Your Options Open by Submitting an SBA Application Today

JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi storm and flood survivors who received a U.S. Small Business Administration loan application should keep their options open by completing the application and submitting it on or before May 24, 2016.

Residents in all 16 disaster designated counties who received damage to their homes or businesses as a result of the storms and flooding that began March 9 may be eligible for loans up to $200,000 for homeowners and up to $2 million for businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations. Homeowners and renters also may be eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.

While SBA’s up to 30-year low-interest disaster loans represent the major source of federal funding for recovery, the application itself may open the door to other FEMA grant programs. People who do not qualify for an SBA loan may be eligible for other FEMA grants.

Here are some key points to consider:

  • Completing and returning a loan application can be done in one of three ways: in person at a Disaster Recovery Center, online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or by mail.

  • Filing the loan application does not obligate people to accept the loan and there is no cost to apply for an SBA loan.

  • Homeowners may be eligible for loans with interest rates as low as 1.813 percent for repair or replacement of their primary residences. In some instances, SBA can refinance all or part of an existing mortgage. Interest rates for business loans may be as low as 4 percent.

  • Eligible small businesses and non-profits can also apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for up to $2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. The deadline for applying for EIDL is Dec. 27, 2016.

  • Do not wait for an insurance settlement before applying. Insurance may not pay for all of the damage. Survivors can begin their recovery immediately with an SBA disaster loan. The eligible loan amount will be reduced by any insurance settlements.

For more information about SBA low-interest disaster loans, contact the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, or TTY 800-877-8339, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or at www.sba.gov/disaster. SBA customer service representatives are available at all disaster recovery centers. Centers can be found online at www.FEMA.gov/DRClocator.

Individuals and businesses in the designated counties can begin the disaster assistance process by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362. Helpline hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time, seven days a week  until further notice.

For more information on Mississippi’s flood recovery, go to fema.gov/disaster/4268 or visit the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency site at msema.org.

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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.

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). If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

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. People who are referred to SBA by FEMA will be contacted by SBA and provided options for the application process. Completed applications must be submitted to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

 

 

 

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Keep Your Options Open by Submitting an SBA Application Today

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