One Month Left To Register For FEMA Assistance For Lake County Residents; SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC) To Remain Open Until Further Notice 

Release Date: December 30, 2007
Release Number: 1732-018

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms and Flooding

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. -- Officials with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) remind residents affected by the August 15 - 27 storms and flooding that the deadline to register for disaster assistance is January 29.

Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for home repair, temporary housing, uninsurable items and other serious disaster-related needs such as unemployment. Persons that became unemployed as a result of the August storms and flooding have until January 4 to register for unemployment assistance.

Anyone affected by the disaster should apply for assistance immediately by calling, toll-free, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Those with speech or hearing impairment may call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Registration can also be done online at www.fema.gov.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is offering Lake County residents low-interest disaster loans available for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations affected by the August storms and flooding. Completing an SBA application is a necessary step to be considered for some forms of disaster aid, including possible additional grant assistance. Individuals with SBA questions may call the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339 or visit SBA's Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Help may also be obtained by visiting a local Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC) at the following locations:

Gary Sanitary District Building
839 Broadway, First Floor
Gary, IN 46402
Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Friday
December 31 – closes at noon; reopens January 2 at 9 a.m.

Hammond Civic Center
5825 S. Sohl Avenue
Hammond, IN 46320
Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Friday
December 31 – closes at noon; reopens January 2 at 9 a.m.
On January 2 closes at 3 p.m. that day only

Hobart Parks Department – Annex Building
18 East Old Ridge Road
Hobart, IN 46342
Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Friday
Opens beginning January 2

In addition to the SBA, FEMA representatives will also be present at the DLOCs to answer any questions or assist with registration.

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: Monday, 31-Dec-2007 10:01:30