Disaster Victims May Be Cutting Off Their Own Aid
Disaster victims who are asked to apply for a loan and do not may be cutting
themselves off from some direct cash assistance, disaster officials said today. Many of the more than 16,000 Puerto
Rico individuals and families who have registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will get
loan applications from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA serves as the "bank" for recovery
from disasters by giving low-interest disaster loans. Even disaster victims who do not want a loan or do not think
they can afford it should apply for one if they get the SBA application. If they do not, they cannot be considered for
some additional grant money they might qualify for from FEMA. Read more...