Applications of those registering with FEMA are evaluated, based on the information they supply, for available disaster assistance. This includes money for essential repairs or replacement of homes and personal property, such as automobiles, lost as a result of the disaster. Some Super storm Sandy survivors who have filed with FEMA may have actually received the SBA disaster home loan applications and be wondering why.

“Receiving an SBA loan application is good news,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the County Sheriff’s Office that includes the Office of Emergency Management. “It means that you may be eligible for the SBA’s low-interest, long-term loans that can be used for your Sandy recovery efforts.”

“We are encouraging individuals with Super storm Sandy damages not to wait on insurance, but to get their application in prior to the Jan. 30 deadline. The sooner you apply, the sooner you may have additional funds to help you with rebuilding costs. For individuals and businesses with uninsured losses; SBA’s disaster loans may be key to full recovery.”

Filling out and returning the SBA application does not obligate you to accept a loan, if offered. If SBA declines your home loan application, they may refer you back to FEMA, which is a necessary step for further grant consideration.

The deadline to complete the SBA disaster home or business loan application for post-Sandy assistance is Jan. 30.

Not everyone is issued an SBA disaster loan application.  However, if you have misplaced yours, don’t worry- you can apply on-line at https://disaster loan.sba.gov/ela or contact SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, TTY (800) 877-8339 or e-mail disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
 
The Disaster Recovery Center locations in Monmouth County are:

• Belmar Municipal Building, 601 Main St., Belmar, NJ 07719
• Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, 945 Hwy 36, Leonardo, NJ 07737 (Atlantic Highlands/ Middletown border)
• Long Branch Fire Station #4, 109-205 Union Avenue, Long Branch, NJ 07740
• Union Beach Municipal Building, 650 Poole Ave., Union Beach, NJ 07735

Additionally, there is a SBA Business Recovery Center at Brookdale Community College. It is located in the Bankier Library Room 246 at 765 Newman Springs Rd. Lincroft, NJ 07738.

Disaster Recovery Centers are set up for residents to be able to speak one-on-one to recovery representatives, but it is not necessary to visit a center to receive disaster assistance.  FEMA program specialists are available to provide registration and other information, and to answer questions at the centers. These include mitigation specialists who can provide guidance on cost-effective rebuilding and repair techniques to reduce property damage in future disasters.

“SBA representatives are also available at the four Disaster Recovery Centers in Monmouth County,” Sheriff Shaun Golden said.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program can provide grants to repair or replace personal property items such as clothing, furniture, cars or appliances damaged or destroyed in the disaster. FEMA assistance can include grants for temporary housing, home repairs, to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals recover from the effects of the disaster.

If you haven’t already done so, register with FEMA no later than Jan. 30. You can register online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by web-enabled mobile device at m.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

“Be sure to file the SBA disaster loan application by the Jan. 30 deadline,” “Do not miss out on the opportunity to get a low interest loan to help you recover from Sandy,” said Freeholder Burry.

#     #     #