Don't Miss The Deadlines For Disaster Aid
Release Date: March 29, 2007
Release Number: 1686-029
» More Information on Georgia Severe Storms and Tornadoes
CORDELE, Ga. -- Several important filing dates have to be met so people impacted by the severe storms and tornadoes don’t miss available disaster assistance, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.
The following deadlines are important for homeowners, renters and business owners in Baker, Crawford, Dougherty McDuffie, Mitchell, Sumter, Taylor, Warren and Worth counties.
Friday, March 30, 2007
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center located in Sumter County at the Gertrude Davenport, Inc., building, 306 Rucker St., Americus, closes at 5 p.m. Friday, March 30. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until then. The SBA also operates a Business Outreach Center in Americus at the South Georgia Technical College’s Pope Center that remains open. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice, or call the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or TTY (800) 877-8339.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Worth/Dougherty County Disaster Registration Assistance: The Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at the Worth County Fire and Rescue Headquarters, 302 E. Willingham St., Sylvester, Ga., will close at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 31. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. SBA assistance at the DRC will be available there until the DRC closes.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Disaster Unemployment Assistance: April 9 is the deadline for applications with the Georgia Department of Labor office for anyone whose employment was affected by the disaster, including the self-employed, farmers and commission-paid employees. The place of employment must be in a declared county. Maximum benefit amount is $320 per week for up to 26 weeks.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Registration for FEMA Assistance: Wednesday, May 2 is the last day to register with FEMA for Individual Assistance. Those who have registered need not register again. Call FEMA at 1-800-621 FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing- and speech-impaired Registration lines are open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. Residents can also register online at www.fema.gov .
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan applications: May 2 is also the deadline to return the SBA loan applications that are mailed to some applicants for FEMA assistance. Return of the applications is necessary to determine further assistance from FEMA, but applicants are not required to take out SBA loans.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Crisis Counseling: Crisis counseling programs in Sumter and Taylor counties are being funded by FEMA through the Georgia Department of Mental Health. The program ends on May 2.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal rights. If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.
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.
Last Modified: Thursday, 29-Mar-2007 16:36:56