FEMA/State Disaster Recovery Center Transitions To SBA Outreach Center
Release Date: April 27, 2006
Release Number: 1637-003
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- The Disaster Recovery Center in Kansas , Oklahoma will transition to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Outreach Center Saturday, April 29.
The Disaster Recovery Center was originally staffed by federal, state and local officials and by volunteer agencies to provide disaster assistance information and to answer questions from residents and business owners who suffered damages as a result of the March 12 tornado.
At this stage of the recovery process, we believe the transition of the assistance center to an SBA Outreach Center will better meet the long-term needs of disaster affected citizens, said Federal Coordinating Officer Philip Parr of the Federal Emergency Management Agency
SBA Customer Service Representatives will continue to provide individuals and business owners with face-to-face service in completing their loan applications, answering their questions about SBA's disaster loan program, and explaining how a SBA disaster loan can help them pay for their disaster losses.
The SBA Outreach Center , located at Kansas High School , 700 North Woods Ave., Kansas , Oklahoma , will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m . through May 6.
SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profits. SBA disaster loans are the federal government's primary source of money to pay for repair or replacement costs not fully covered by insurance or other recoveries. Disaster victims are encouraged to visit the SBA Outreach Center , or call SBA at 1-800-659-2955 if they have questions or need help filling out their SBA application .
Anyone with damages and losses caused by the tornado is urged to register for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362 ) [the TTY number is 1-800-462-7585 for those who are speech or hearing-impaired] from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. , seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available to answer your call. An application may also be made online at http://www.fema.gov/assistance , 24 hours a day.
June 12, 2006 is the deadline to apply for assistance.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 02-May-2006 12:42:24