SBA Application Paves the Way to Disaster Aid 

Release Date: September 27, 1999
Release Number: 1294-06

» More Information on Pennsylvania Hurricane Floyd

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- If you received a disaster-loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), federal and state officials urge you to return your completed forms, even if you do not want a loan.

"Completing the SBA loan application does not obligate the applicant to a loan. It is a required step, however, in determining if you are eligible for other types of disaster assistance," explained Bob Churchman, state coordinating officer for the disaster-recovery effort. "If an individual does not qualify for an SBA loan, the application may be referred to the Individual and Family Grant Program," said Churchman, who also is acting director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

To be considered for an SBA loan, an applicant must apply for disaster assistance by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) toll-free registration number 1-800-462-9029.

The number for speech- or hearing-impaired applicants is 1-800-462-7585 (TTY).

"If your family income is above a certain level, you will be provided with a loan package to fill out and return to the SBA," Jack Schuback said. Schuback, a FEMA official, is federal coordinating officer for the disaster-recovery effort. "Whether you qualify for a loan depends, in part, on your ability to repay," Schuback said.

The SBA is making loans available to eligible homeowners, renters and businesses in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Lancaster and York counties to help repair and replace property damaged by flooding caused by Hurricane Floyd.

To check on the status of an SBA disaster loan application or for assistance in completing SBA forms call the SBA at 1-800-659-2955.

For other questions about disaster assistance, call the FEMA helpline toll-free number 1-800-525-0321 or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the speech or hearing impaired.

Flood victims who have not yet applied can start the process by calling the FEMA toll-free registration number: 1-800-462-9029 or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the speech or hearing impaired. The telephone registration lines are open 7 a.m. to midnight seven days a week.

Last Modified: Monday, 08-Dec-2003 09:27:45