Paterson Recovery Center Transitions to Loan Outreach Center
Release Date: May 23, 2007
Release Number: 1694-032
» More Information on New Jersey Severe Storms and Inland and Coastal Flooding
PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The state/federal Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Thomas Roger Building, 2 Market Street , 2nd Floor, in Paterson will transition to a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) beginning Friday, May 25, federal and state disaster officials announced today. The DLOC will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday until further notice, but will be closed Monday, May 28 for Memorial Day.
The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and SBA officials opened DRCs in affected areas of the state to provide face-to-face assistance and disaster information to individuals and business owners who suffered damage from the April nor'easter storm.
Homeowners, renters and business owners affected by the severe storms and flooding are reminded that the DRCs provide direct access to state and federal representatives. However, applicants can acquire the same FEMA disaster information by speaking to a representative at the helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired.
The Paterson DRC has had more than 233 visitors, since its doors opened on April 29. To date more than 3,300 affected New Jersey residents have visited one of the 13 DRCs opened statewide to provide valuable recovery information. Representatives from the state, FEMA and the SBA are on hand at the DRCs to provide homeowners, renters and business owners with information regarding the types of assistance available. SBA customer service representatives are available to issue disaster loan applications, answer questions about SBA's loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their applications.
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: Wednesday, 23-May-2007 11:05:04