THOMASVILLE, Ga. – Georgia storm survivors who have been contacted by the U.S. Small Business Administration are encouraged to complete and return a disaster loan application so they can be considered for additional federal disaster assistance.
Other Needs Assistance grants may cover uninsured losses for furniture, appliances and other personal property, even vehicles. Some survivors will not be considered for this type of assistance unless they complete and return the SBA disaster loan application. FEMA grants for housing assistance and rental assistance are not affected if survivors do not complete an SBA loan application.
Applicants from Berrien, Cook, Crisp, Dougherty, Thomas, Turner, Wilcox and Worth counties should complete the application, even if they don’t want a loan.
Some grants, those for medical, dental and funeral expenses, are not SBA dependent. So in those cases completing the loan application is not necessary, nor is it needed for survivors seeking temporary rental assistance.
Other than insurance, the SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property, offering low-interest loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters.
Survivors can get more information and guidance from SBA representatives at any FEMA Disaster Recovery Center.
Apply online using the electronic loan application via SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Disaster loan information and paper application forms can be ordered from SBA’s customer service center at 800-659-2955 or by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call 800-877-8339. For more disaster assistance information or to download applications, visit sba.gov/disaster.
Completed forms should be mailed to:U.S. Small Business Administration
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road
Fort Worth, TX 76155
Applications can be submitted even as disaster survivors await insurance settlements. The loan balance will be reduced by the settlement.
Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 from SBA to repair or replace a primary residence. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property.
Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury. SBA offers low-interest working-capital loans—called Economic Injury Disaster Loans—to small businesses and most private nonprofits of all sizes.
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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.