Disaster assistance deadline is this week

Only one week remains for homeowners, renters and business owners who suffered damages from Hurricane Ike to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. State and federal officials are urging anyone who still needs to register to do so before the Nov. 12 deadline.

“The deadline is only two weeks away and we don’t want anyone with disaster damages to miss this opportunity for assistance,” said State Coordinating Officer Joan Haun. “Register, get into the FEMA system and let’s find out what you are eligible for.”

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.

Many applicants who previously contacted FEMA for assistance caused by Ike have moved since completing registration. FEMA recommends that applicants update both addresses and phone numbers to avoid missing important correspondence or telephone calls regarding applications for assistance. As temporary housing opportunities become available, FEMA needs to be able to call applicants to inform them. Certain government checks cannot be forwarded to recipients. If the recipient moves and fails to correct the mailing address, the check will be returned.

Current and former applicants may contact FEMA at www.fema.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing impaired. Both numbers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A broad range of Spanish-speaking and multilingual recovery specialists are available. Mailing addresses should also be updated with the U.S. Postal Service by calling 1-800-275-8777 or visiting www.usps.gov.

Residents should register only once; duplicate registrations may cause delays in the delivery of assistance. While registering online, residents should provide address of the affected property, a brief description of the damages, current mailing address, social security number, insurance information including policy numbers and a phone number and an alternate phone number where they can be reached.

The U.S. Small Business Administration also has a deadline of Nov. 12.

SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to cover the uncompensated losses for personal contents up to $40,000 for both homeowners and renters and up to $200,000 for homeowners for physical damage to their primary residence. The SBA also provides low-interest loans up to $2 million for uncompensated physical losses suffered by businesses of any size and private non-profit organizations.

Additionally, working capital loans are available for economic injuries sustained by small businesses in the declared counties and the adjoining counties. The combination of the two business loans cannot exceed $2 million.

For information about SBA programs, call 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339.