Jersey City Recovery Center Transitions To Loan Outreach Center 

Release Date: June 1, 2007
Release Number: 1694-038

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PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The state/federal Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Mary McLeod Bethune Life Center, in Jersey City will close Tuesday, June 5 at 6 p.m. and will reopen Wednesday, June 6, as a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC), federal and state disaster officials announced today. The DLOC will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Wednesday, June 6 through Friday, June 8, closing at 5 p.m. permanently.

SBA representatives will be available at the center to provide Hudson-area homeowners, renters and business owners with personal assistance in completing their loan applications, answering questions about SBA’s loan program and explaining how an SBA loan can help pay for their disaster losses.

“We believe the transition of the DRC to an SBA office will better meet the current needs of Hudson County residents,” said Lt. George Georgeles, state coordinating officer for disaster recovery.

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the SBA opened the DRC to provide face-to-face assistance and disaster information to individuals and business owners who suffered damage from the April nor’easter storm.

The Jersey City DRC has assisted about 263 Hudson County residents since opening May 10. Applicants can continue to reach FEMA representatives by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired. Both lines are operational from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily until further notice.

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. 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.

FEMA and NJOEM work together to coordinate the federal and state governments’ roles in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

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.

Last Modified: Friday, 01-Jun-2007 08:05:01