Loans are Key to Disaster Recovery for Many Rhode Islanders

WARWICK, R.I.—  In-person help is available in Westerly to help homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes that were affected by Hurricane Sandy with applications for low-interest disaster recovery loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. SBA disaster recovery loans are the primary source of federal funds for long-term recovery.

SBA officials urge Rhode Islanders who have questions about SBA loans or would like help completing an application to visit the SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center at the Misquamicut Fire Station, 65 Crandall Avenue, Westerly. Hours of operation are weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., through Wednesday, December 19. SBA specialists will assist with preparation and can send the application overnight free of charge to the SBA’s national processing center.

While grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency are helping individuals and families in the Ocean State with immediate recovery needs, they are rarely large enough to restore survivors to their pre-disaster condition. After a disaster, loans from the SBA are not just for businesses. Loans up to $200,000 are available to qualified homeowners to repair or replace damaged real estate. In addition, up to $40,000 may be available to homeowners and renters to repair or replace damaged personal property.

Many individuals and households who registered for disaster assistance from FEMA will be mailed an application for an SBA disaster recovery loan. If the SBA finds an individual does not qualify for a loan, the applicant may be referred back to FEMA to be considered for additional assistance from FEMA. No one is ever required to accept a loan. But failure to complete and submit the SBA application can deprive the family of the opportunity to access more aid from FEMA.

Businesses, regardless of size, can apply to SBA for up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. The SBA also offers small business owners and most private nonprofit organizations economic injury disaster loans for ongoing business expenses to recover from the economic impact of a disaster. The SBA can make economic injury disaster loans even if the business didn’t sustain physical damages.

Businesses are urged to visit the SBA Business Recovery Center at the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce, One Chamber Way, Westerly. Hours of operation are weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., through Wednesday, December 19.

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Loans are Key to Disaster Recovery for Many Rhode Islanders

Westerly Disaster Recovery Center Relocates to Fire Station

WARWICK, RI – The Disaster Recovery Center in Westerly relocates Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, to the Misquamicut Fire Station from its current location at St. Clare Church. The Westerly Center will continue to serve disaster survivors in the area until further notice as will the Centers in South Kingstown and Middletown. Locations for the current DRCs are:

Washington County

  • Misquamicut Fire Station, 65 Crandall Avenue, Westerly, RI. (Opens Saturday)
  • Union Fire Station (Community Room), 131 Asa Pond Road, South Kingstown, RI.

Newport County

  • Middletown Police Station (Community Room), 123 Valley Road, Middletown, RI.

Hours of operation for all DRCs are Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. All three DRCs will be closed Nov. 22, 2012, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Anyone who is registering should have the following information ready and available:

  • Current and pre-disaster address
  • Current Phone Number
  • Social Security Number (FEMA does verify name and Social Security number)
  • Insurance information (agency name, policy number, actual policy if possible)
  • Total household income
  • Description of losses caused by Hurricane Sandy
  • Bank account and routing number (for direct deposit of assistance funds)

Survivors may register with FEMA in three ways:

 

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 medical and dental expenses, 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.

SBA disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for people with speech or hearing disabilities) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET or by sending an e-mail to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov or completed on-line at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.

 

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Westerly Disaster Recovery Center Relocates to Fire Station