FEMA and SBA Disaster Assistance Deadline Only 12 Days Away

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas residents still needing assistance in recovering from the  severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding between April 26 and May 19 have only 12 days left to apply for FEMA disaster assistance grants and/or U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest loans.

The last day to apply is Monday, Aug. 14. Online applications may be submitted until midnight and the FEMA Helpline is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT daily. Helpline operators are trained to help individuals needing assistance in registering to get their information into the system.

To register for FEMA disaster assistance:

Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call
800-462-7585. If you use 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service), call 800-621-3362.Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov (also in Spanish).Download the FEMA mobile app (available in Spanish) at Google Play or the Apple App Store.

Federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and households in 16 Arkansas counties: Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Faulkner, Fulton, Jackson, Lawrence, Prairie, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Washington, White, Woodruff and Yell. Damage or loss from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding must have occurred between April 26 and May 19.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program is designed to help survivors with immediate essential needs and to help displaced survivors find a safe, functional place to live temporarily until they can return home. Many survivors may have additional needs beyond what can be provided by FEMA. The agency works closely with state, federal, faith-based and voluntary agencies which may be able to help.

If you are a homeowner or renter, FEMA may refer you to SBA. SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters. Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury.

SBA disaster loans are the primary source of money to pay for repair or replacement costs not fully covered by insurance or other compensation. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property.

Many Arkansans who register with FEMA will receive an automated call from the SBA with information on how to complete its loan application process. SBA low-interest disaster loans have interest rates fixed for the life of the loan.

SBA also offers low-interest working capital loans (called Economic Injury Disaster Loans) to small businesses, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes having difficulty meeting obligations as a result of the disaster.

There are three ways to apply to SBA after you register with FEMA:

Call SBA at 800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call
800-877-8339.Apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.Apply by mail: Complete a paper application and mail it to SBA at
14925 Kingsport Road, Ft. Worth TX 76155-2243.

For updates on the Arkansas response and recovery, follow the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (@AR_Emergencies) on Twitter and Facebook and adem.arkansas.gov. Additional information is available at fema.gov/disaster/4318.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Original author: Carmen.Castro
NHC Atlantic Outlook
NHC Atlantic Outlook

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