After Calling to Register, Return SBA Application
Release Date: December 6, 2006
Release Number: 1668-029
» More Information on Louisiana Severe Storms and Flooding
ALEXANDRIA, La. -- Victims of the severe storms and flooding that began on Oct. 16 who receive a loan application from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) should take the time to fill it out, urge disaster recovery officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), SBA and the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP).
Most homeowners and renters who register for assistance online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 will receive a packet containing the SBA loan application.
"If the SBA is unable to make you a disaster loan, the applicant may be referred to FEMA's Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program," said Federal Coordinating Officer Lee Champagne.
FEMA disaster assistance covers basic needs only and normally will not compensate you for your entire loss. If you have insurance, FEMA may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy. Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other help may come in the form of disaster assistance loans from the SBA.
The SBA makes low-interest federal disaster loans available to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations for losses not fully covered by insurance. In addition, the SBA makes federal disaster loans available to qualified small businesses that have suffered economic injury as a result of the disaster. These loans are at low interest rates and long terms that make the loans affordable to almost any budget. The SBA may loan up to $200,000 to repair homes, up to $40,000 to replace disaster-damaged personal property, and a maximum of $1.5 million is available for businesses.
"We urge anyone who sustained losses to register for assistance with FEMA and mail in the completed SBA loan application as soon as possible," said State Coordinating Officer Col. Thomas Kirkpatrick.
If you do not fill out and return the SBA application, other disaster assistance may stop. 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 return them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
Information on SBA loan applications and locations for Disaster Recovery Centers is available by calling the SBA at 1-800-659-2955 or visiting www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
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.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 06-Dec-2006 16:00:35