SBA Loan Packets Essential To Disaster Aid For November 2-11 Flood Victims
Release Date: December 29, 2006
Release Number: 1671-013
» More Information on Washington Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
LACEY, Wash. -- State and federal officials are urging those who have applied for federal disaster assistance for the Nov. 2-11 floods to complete and return their loan applications from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) – even if they think they don’t want or need a low-interest disaster loan.
“Both FEMA and the Washington Emergency Management Division use the SBA’s decision on that loan application to determine what assistance is most appropriate for each applicant,” said Libby Turner, the federal coordinating officer for this disaster. “If the SBA is not able to approve a loan, the applicant is then, in most cases, referred to an additional grant program to help meet his or her immediate needs,” Turner said. “If applicants throw that SBA loan packet away, they are closing the door on this additional grant program from FEMA.”
“We are encouraging anyone who has uninsured damage from the November 2-11 floods to apply with FEMA for disaster assistance – and to return their SBA loan applications as quickly as possible,” said Kurt Hardin, state coordinating officer. Hardin said FEMA and the state have set up disaster recovery centers (DRCs) at various locations around the declared counties to assist those affected by the floods and provide information on disaster assistance programs.
SBA has customer service representatives at all state-federal DRCs to assist applicants with their loan paperwork. Information is also available by calling the SBA at 1-800-659-2955 or by visiting the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov.
To register for disaster assistance, applicants may call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with speech or hearing impairment should call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Both lines are open seven days a week from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with State and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Friday, 29-Dec-2006 14:25:36