Business Services Industry

Less Than Two Weeks Left to Apply for Physical Damage Assistance; SBA Urges Return of Disaster Loan Applications

Business Wire, Oct 16, 2008

ATLANTA -- The U.S. Small Business Administration reminds homeowners, renters, businesses and non-profit organizations of all sizes that less than two weeks remain to apply for disaster assistance. The deadline to submit disaster loan applications for physical damage caused by Tropical Storm Fay is October 27, 2008.

Residents and businesses in the counties of Alachua, Baker, Brevard, Collier, Duval, Gadsden, Glades, Hendry, Jefferson, Lake, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Marion, Martin, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Polk, Saint Lucie, Seminole, Volusia and Wakulla in Florida are eligible to apply to SBA for both physical and economic injury loans under this declaration.

Survivors are urged to register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-3362 (FEMA). "If you were issued an SBA loan application, complete and return the application before the October 27 deadline, even if you don't want a loan. If the SBA is not able to approve a home loan, you will be referred to FEMA for possible grant assistance. I encourage anyone who has not completed their disaster loan application to meet with a Customer Service Representative at one of the Centers located throughout the disaster area for one-on-one assistance," said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA Field Operations Center East.

The SBA offers loans up to $200,000 to repair disaster damaged primary residences. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to replace personal property such as furniture, appliances and clothing. Loans to businesses and private, non-profit organizations of all sizes are available up to $2 million to repair damage to real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are also available to small businesses, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes unable to pay bills or meet operating expenses because of the disaster in the following counties: Bradford, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, Clay, Citrus, Columbia, DeSoto, Flagler, Franklin, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hardee, Hillsborough, Highlands, Indian River, Jackson, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Osceola, Pasco, Palm Beach, Putnam, Saint Johns, Sumter, Taylor and Union in the State of Florida; and the counties of Brooks, Camden, Charlton, Clinch, Decatur, Grady, Seminole, Thomas and Ware in the State of Georgia.

Interest rates are as low as 2.875 percent for homeowners and renters and 4 percent for businesses, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition.

Individuals and businesses who are unable to visit one of the Centers may obtain information and loan applications by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing impaired), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EDT, or by emailing our customer service center at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Business loan applications can also be downloaded from the SBA website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be returned to one of the Centers or mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX. 76155.

Survivors may also apply for disaster loans from SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.> The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is October 27, 2008. The deadline to return economic injury applications is May 26, 2009.

For more information about the SBA's Disaster Loan Programs, visit our website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.> Release Number: 09-022, FL 11409/11410