Reminder - FEMA Representatives Available At SBA Loan Centers 

Release Date: December 21, 2007
Release Number: 1732-017

» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms and Flooding

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. -- Federal and state disaster officials remind Lake County residents that FEMA representatives will be available at U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOCs) beginning Wednesday, Dec. 26. The FEMA representatives will assist anyone affected by the August 15-27 severe storms and flooding. They can also answer questions about an applicant’s existing registration for disaster assistance.

The centers located at 839 Broadway in Gary and 5825 S. Sohl Ave. in Hammond will close on Dec. 21 and reopen Dec. 26 as DLOCs.  A center will also open that day at 7820 Broadway in Merrillville.

SBA is a partner with FEMA in Lake County disaster recovery. As FEMA closes its Disaster Recovery Centers effective Dec. 21, SBA will convert them to DLOCs on the day after Christmas and a limited FEMA staff will remain on-site.

Regular DLOC hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The centers are open 9 a.m. to noon on New Years Eve and closed New Years Day.  The Hammond center will close at 3 p.m. on Jan. 2 only.  All three DLOCs are scheduled to be open until Jan. 10. 

Any resident who had damage from the August storms should register for federal assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 1-800-462-7585.  Both lines are operational 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.  The helpline will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 as well as Jan. 1.

SBA representatives at the DLOCs will continue to provide homeowners, renters and business owners with face-to-face service in completing their loan applications, answering questions about SBA's loan program and explaining how an SBA loan can help pay for their disaster losses.  Anyone not able to visit one of the three DLOCs should call the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339 or visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. 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.

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, 24-Dec-2007 09:02:51