FEMA, SBA Encourage Return Of Disaster Loan Applications
Many Ice Storm Victims May Be Missing Out On Important Opportunity For Help
Release Date: June 7, 2003
Release Number: 1467-10
» More Information on New York Ice Storm
Syracuse, NY -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and New York State officials today announced that while 5,145 homeowners, renters and business owners from Cayuga, Monroe, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Oswego, Seneca and Wayne counties have registered with FEMA for disaster assistance, many have yet to take the necessary steps to receive aid.
President Bush's major disaster declaration for the counties hit by the April 3-5 ice storms made those who sustained damages not fully covered by insurance eligible to apply for disaster assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.
If homeowners or renters have damages that are not covered by FEMA, they are automatically referred to the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for a low-interest loan. But, to date, only 58 of the 2,056 applications distributed by SBA have been returned.
"Individuals and businesses seeking assistance as a result of April's storms are encouraged to return the applications as soon as possible," said Marianne C. Jackson, federal coordinating officer for FEMA's disaster recovery operation. "Until the application is returned and processed, we cannot tell if an individual is eligible for an SBA loan or other disaster assistance programs offered through FEMA."
"Even if applicants do not qualify for SBA loans, they will automatically be considered for other disaster assistance from FEMA or the state," Jackson said. "But, when disaster applicants fail to return SBA loan applications, they may remove themselves from consideration for this aid."
William E. Leggiero, Jr., SBA area director, said, "For registered applicants who receive an SBA application, completing the application is a necessary step in the disaster assistance process. But, returning the application is an equally important next step."
Leggiero, Jr. stressed that filing a loan application in no way obligates the applicant to accept a loan, and he urged applicants to return loan applications regardless of pending insurance settlements.
"In many cases, the insurance settlement process can take longer than it does for SBA to process a disaster loan request. In these cases, the applicants can use the loan to begin their recovery processes and use their insurance settlements to pay off loan balances," Leggiero, Jr., said.
As of June 5, 10 SBA loans totaling $66,200 have been approved for homeowners and renters.
People with questions about disaster loans can call the SBA office at 1-800-659-2955, or visit an SBA loan officer at the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) located in Monroe and Oswego counties or the mobile DRC as it travels through the declared counties.
Last Modified: Monday, 09-Jun-2003 11:24:33