Grants (FEMA), Loans (SBA) And Grants (IFG) 

Release Date: May 28, 2002
Release Number: 1410-47

» More Information on West Virginia Severe Storms, Flooding, and Landslides

Beckley, WV -- Your flood recovery money may stop if you don't fill out the loan form sent to you by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). If your loan is approved, you're not committed to take it. But if you don't fill out the loan form, for sure you won't get any more money for other unmet needs.

So, if you or a family member or your friend got a loan form, don't delay completing - and then returning - it to the SBA. That's the message from state and federal disaster recovery officials to persons who suffered losses due to the recent flooding and landslides.

Some disaster aid comes in the form of grants that do not have to be paid back, while other may come in the form of low-interest loans from SBA. Initial grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) cover only basic housing needs and will not normally compensate individuals for their entire loss. Loans from SBA can provide the funding for a more complete recovery. Grants from the Individual and Family Grant Program (IFG) administered by the state may be able to address unmet needs not covered by any other disaster assistance programs. But, in order to be considered for IFG, applicants must first fill out and return their SBA loan applications.

After the initial grants, from FEMA, to make repairs or rent someplace else, it takes just a few quick steps for disaster victims to continue on the road to recovery, officials said, urging disaster victims to fill out their SBA loan applications and send them in. Otherwise, funds from IFG for unmet disaster related needs may not be given.

"Individual and Family Grants are available, but will not be given until SBA has reviewed the loan application," said Steve Kappa, director of the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services.

Justo Hernandez, lead federal officer on the West Virginia recovery effort, said: "Don't delay. Anyone affected by the disaster who received an SBA loan application should complete the application, and return it to SBA as soon as possible. Or you can visit a Disaster Recovery Center to process the application. It's the only way for government to get a complete picture of what help may still be needed."

President Bush signed a major disaster declaration on May 5 for four West Virginia counties, making persons who incurred damages there eligible for state and federal disaster assistance programs. The declared counties are McDowell, Mercer, Mingo and Wyoming. Individuals or business owners may apply for assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free registratiohn line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Persons with difficulty hearing or speaking may call the TTY number,1-800-462-7585. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice.

For more information, visit SBA's website: http://www.sba.gov

Last Modified: Tuesday, 26-Aug-2003 17:05:23