Calif. Residents Need to Return SBA Application for Storm Assistance

Victims of California’s December-January flooding who receive a loan application from the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) should take the time to fill it out – even if they don’t want a loan, urge disaster recovery officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES).

Most of the people who register for assistance online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 will receive a packet containing the SBA loan application.

“The loan application provides necessary information for determining the appropriate assistance,” said Federal Coordinating Office Tom Davies of FEMA. “If the SBA is unable to make you a disaster loan, the applicant may be referred to FEMA’s other needs assistance (ONA) program.”

FEMA disaster assistance covers basic needs only and normally will not compensate you for your entire loss. If you have insurance, FEMA may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy. Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other help may come in the form of low-interest disaster loans from the SBA. The loans are available to renters, homeowners and businesses of all sizes in the 13 declared counties that were affected by winter flooding. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA based on each applicant’s financial condition.

“We urge anyone who sustained losses in these floods to register for assistance and mail in the completed loan application as soon as possible,” said State Coordinating Officer Henry Renteria, director of OES. “It’s the first step in getting help.”

Information on SBA loan applications is available by calling the SBA helpline at 1-800-659-2955 or visiting the SBA Web site at www.SBA.gov/disaster.

Counties whose residents are eligible for disaster assistance are Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Lake, Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Sacramento, Shasta, Siskiyou, Solano and Sonoma.