Jefferson Davis County Applicants Should Return Completed SBA Loan Application
Release Date: June 13, 2003
Release Number: 1459-51
» More Information on Mississippi Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding
Jackson, MS -- Disaster applicants in newly disaster-declared Jefferson Davis County who suffered damage from the April 6th though 25th severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, and who receive a loan application from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA), should take the time to fill it out - even if they don't want a loan - urged disaster recovery officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).
Many of the applicants who call the toll-free application line, 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585), and apply for assistance will receive an SBA loan application within seven to ten days of making the call.
"The loan application provides necessary information for determining the appropriate assistance for that applicant. If the SBA decides not to offer a loan, the individual can be referred to other available disaster assistance programs," Carlos Mitchell, the FEMA official in charge of disaster recovery, said.
Government disaster assistance only covers basic needs and will not normally compensate applicants for their entire loss. If you have insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy. Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other forms of help may come in the form of low-interest loans.
These low-interest disaster loans are available to residents and businesses of all sizes in the declared counties that were affected by the April 6th through 25th severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. Interest rates on SBA loans can be as low as 2.937 percent for homeowners and 3.189 percent for businesses. Actual loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition.
"We are urging everyone who sustained losses because of the severe weather in April to apply for assistance and mail in the completed loan application as soon as possible," added Leon Shaifer, MEMA's state coordinating officer in charge of long-term recovery. "If we don't receive your information, we can't help you."
People who have questions about their application or who want information about other disaster assistance programs should call FEMA's toll-free Helpline, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with speech or hearing impairment should call TTY 1-800-462-7585.
Information on SBA loan applications is also available by calling the SBA Helpline at 1-800-359-2227.
The 31 Mississippi counties declared a disaster by President Bush on April 24th are: Amite, Attala, Claiborne, Clarke, Copiah, Franklin, Hinds, Holmes, Issaquena, Jasper, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Kemper, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Leake, Lincoln, Madison, Marion, Neshoba, Newton, Pearl River, Pike, Rankin, Scott, Simpson, Smith, Walthall, Warren, Wayne and Yazoo.
Last Modified: Friday, 13-Jun-2003 13:40:58