Deadline to Apply for Diaster Aid is Approaching

MARCH 31ST DEADLINE APPROACHING TO RETURN SBA LOAN APPLICATIONS FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE

OLYMPIA— The deadline to apply for disaster assistance and to complete the SBA loan packet is fast approaching. It is Tuesday, March 31, 2009. Washington residents affected by the January 6-16, 2009, winter storm, landslides, mudslides, and flooding are urged to register for assistance and to complete the loan application from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), if one is sent to them. Officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Washington Emergency Management Division (WEMD), and the SBA stress that the SBA loan application must be completed for consideration for various other types of assistance programs.

To apply for disaster assistance, residents can call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (TTY 1-800-462-7585) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week or by registering online at www.disasterassistance.gov.

Once homeowners and renters have registered with FEMA for disaster assistance, they may receive SBA loan applications. Those who receive a loan application should complete the application and return it to the SBA as soon as possible. While filing the loan application does not obligate people to accept the loan, applicants must still complete the SBA loan application before they can be considered for certain other grants and programs.

SBA disaster loans are not just for businesses. In fact, the majority of SBA disaster loans are made to homeowners and renters. Homeowners may qualify for low-interest loans to help rebuild or repair their homes and replace personal property. Renters may qualify for loans to repair or replace personal property.

For more information about how to complete the loan application, or for more information on SBA assistance, call the SBA at 1-800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339), or email SBA on disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. People may also visit the SBA web site at http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/ and “Click here for information on SBA’s Disaster Recovery Centers.”

Residents are urged to fill out the disaster loan application online using SBA’s Electronic Loan Applications, https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/. Paper applications can be mailed to SBA at 14925 Kingsport Rd., Ft. Worth, Texas 76155-2243.

Additionally, there are two SBA Disaster Loan Recovery Centers (DLOCs) open to assist people:

Puyallup DLOC (Open until further notice)
Community Resource Center
107 N. Meridian (corner of E. Main and N. Meridian)
Puyallup, WA 98371
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Longview DLOC (Closing 3/26/09)
Cowlitz Co. Training Center (The Boat House)
1942 First Avenue
Longview, WA 98632
Hours: Wednesday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Residents of the following designated counties are eligible to apply: Benton, Cowlitz, Clallam, Grays Harbor, King, Kittitas, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum and Whatcom.