FEMA deadline looms

(From FEMA)

AUSTIN, Texas -Texas homeowners, renters and business owners who suffered damages from Hurricane Ike have only until Monday, Jan. 12 to register for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

State and federal officials urge Texans who had damage from Hurricane Ike to register with FEMA as soon as possible by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), (TTY) 1-800-462-7585, or by visiting the FEMA Web site at www.fema.gov. 

Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repair and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or other sources.

Those who have already registered may check on their application status by calling the helpline, which has an automated status update function; go to the FEMA web site; or visit any of the Disaster Recovery Centers that remain in the affected areas. A listing of recovery centers is available at www.txdps.state.tx.us/dem/pages/dr1791_drc_list.htm.

The deadline to submit low-interest disaster loan applications from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for individuals and businesses is also Jan. 12. While no one is required to take out an SBA loan, applications are a key part of the FEMA application process.

Individuals and businesses must register with FEMA first.  Individuals who may not qualify for an SBA loan may be eligible for other forms of assistance.  For information about SBA programs or to find a location nearby, applicants may call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY 1-800-877-8339), or visit SBA's website at 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.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government's primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 1-800-659-2955
(TTY 1-800-877-8339).

Homeowners, renters and business owners with questions for the SBA should call the Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY 1-800-877-8339). Homeowners, renters and business owners with questions for the SBA should call the Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, economic status or retaliation.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, you should call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your State Office of Equal rights.  If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.