|
| News Item |
|
August Flooding Assistance and Recovery Center Locations
Release Date: September 13, 2009
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Disaster survivors often short-change themselves, when it comes to federal disaster assistance, state and federal officials warned today.
"The system can be complicated and a bit laborious. If you don't understand it, you can inadvertently cut yourself off from important assistance programs," said John R. Gibb, Director, New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO), and the State Coordinating Officer for the flooding disaster that hit western New York last month. "With a little extra effort, disaster survivors can access additional programs that speed the recovery process."
For residents of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Erie counties - the three western counties designated a major disaster area last month -- the first step is to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Online, visit www.disasterassistance.gov, or call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Applicants with speech or hearing impairments should call TTY 1-800-462-7585.
"We can't help you if we don't know who you are, or what you need," said Jaime E. Forero, Federal Coordinating Officer for this disaster.
After you register with FEMA, you may receive a loan application package from the Small Business Administration (SBA).
"This is where people tend to take themselves out of the process," Gibb said. "They think, 'I'm not a business. I don't want a loan," and they fail to complete the paperwork that is actually the gateway to FEMA assistance beyond help with home repairs or rental help. It's tragic, because we find it's often these same people who can most benefit from the other programs."
Completing your SBA loan application does not obligate you to accept a loan. However, returning the application is a critical step, because you must be turned down for an SBA loan to be considered for FEMA grants. If you do not complete the SBA application you are taking yourself out of the FEMA disaster assistance process, which may includes grants and other assistance.
FEMA grants do not need to be repaid, and can cover:
Personal property
Vehicle repair or replacement and
Moving and storage expenses
You do not need to return the SBA loan application to be considered for FEMA's temporary housing assistance, and grants for medical, dental or burial expenses.
"But we urge disaster survivors to complete all the paperwork," Forero said, "We don't want anyone to leave money on the table."
If you need help filling out the SBA application, or have other questions about the low-interest SBA loans, visit a Mobile Disaster Recovery Center (M-DRC) near you. SBA representatives will help you free of charge- no appointment necessary. The M-DRCs are located at:
Mt. Carmel School
135 Central Ave
Silver Creek, NY 14136
County Center
303 Court St.
Little Valley, NY 14755
Cattaraugus Indian Reservation Fire Hall
12879 Route 438
Irving, NY 14081
Residents of Erie, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties do not have to visit the M-DRC assigned to their specific county. Any of them will be able to help with FEMA registration, or answer questions about the SBA loan application process.
If you are unable to visit a DRC and need help, you can call SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339. Representatives are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure Web site at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela or visit SBA's Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
|
|
|
