The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Maryland Emergency Management Agency announced today the deadline to apply for disaster aid for damages resulting from Hurricane Sandy is being extended to February 26.
“There are still people registering every day,” said Mike Lapinski, Federal Coordinating Officer. “We don’t want people with uninsured damages to their homes or businesses to miss the opportunity to register. That is why we are extending the deadline.”
February 26 will be the last day for residents to apply for state and federal disaster assistance to help them recover from the Hurricane Sandy. Additionally, February 26 will be the deadline for homeowners and businesses to submit applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
The fastest and easiest way to register is by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov. You may also register on your smartphone atm.fema.gov. If you do not have access to the internet, you may call FEMA’s toll-free hotline at
1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the deaf or hard of hearing. Telephone lines are open from 7 am to 10 pm, seven days a week until further notice, and multilingual operators are also available to answer your call.).
After the application deadline, FEMA’s toll-free phone line still will be available to assist those who have already registered. Applicants who have questions about disaster assistance programs or questions about the status of their previously filed applications should continue to use FEMA’s toll-free number.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property.
Applicants who have been referred to SBA must complete and return the SBA disaster loan application to be eligible for additional assistance under the part of the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses. There are other ONA grants such as public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses that do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan to be eligible.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can be downloaded from www.sba.gov. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
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.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.
FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.