Only Three Weeks Left To Register For Gustav Disaster Assistance
Those Seeking Aid Should Call Toll-Free 1-800-621-FEMA by Nov. 25, 2008
Release Date: November 5, 2008
Release Number: 1794-039
» More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Gustav
LONG BEACH, Miss. -- Nov. 25, 2008, is the deadline to register for federal and state Hurricane Gustav disaster aid, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Residents and business owners in Adams, Hancock, Harrison, Washington and Wilkinson counties, who suffered severe weather damages or losses during the period of Aug. 28 to Sept. 8, 2008, have only three weeks left to register for disaster assistance
Storm victims should not delay applying for disaster assistance, which could include grants to help pay for temporary housing needs, essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA also may be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.
Applicants who received an SBA low-interest disaster loan application after applying for disaster aid should complete and return the application as soon as possible. Applicants who are unable to obtain loans from the SBA may be referred back to FEMA for consideration of a grant. Unlike loans, grants do not have to be paid back.
To apply, simply call toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired. Those with access to a computer can apply online at www.fema.gov/.
Information on SBA loan applications also is available by calling the toll-free SBA Customer Service Center, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1-800-659-2955, or visit the SBA web site at www.sba.gov, or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Disaster victims can visit SBA's secure Web site at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply online for disaster loans.
To date, FEMA has approved more than $5.25 million in disaster aid to homeowners and renters, while the SBA has approved nearly $1.6 million in disaster loans to homeowners, renters, and businesses.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Friday, 07-Nov-2008 16:48:04