Why it is important to register with FEMA and SBA

The FEMA Region III Administrator Mary Ann Tierney and her staff conducted an on -site meeting recently to discuss the FEMA response and operational process used to provide assistance to residents as a result of Hurricane Matthew. As a result, FEMA has provided additional information to help with receiving assistance for Hurricane Matthew damages.

If you are among those Virginians who have registered for disaster assistance since Hurricane Matthew struck the Commonwealth, and you didn’t register directly with FEMA, then you didn’t register. Registering with your city’s emergency management agency, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management (VDEM), the Red Cross, with any other charitable organization, or having FEMA flood insurance is NOT the same as registering with FEMA. You still need to register with FEMA before it’s too late. The deadline is January 3, 2017. You can find information about FEMA and the registration process on the City’s Hurricane Matthew page.

If you are ineligible for FEMA grants, you may still be eligible for other programs such as volunteer agencies or assistance from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

After you have registered with FEMA, if you receive a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loan application, officials urge you to fill it out and return it to the SBA—even if you do not want a loan. If you do not qualify for the SBA loan, your application can trigger other types of assistance, allowing the SBA to refer you back to FEMA.

It is important for private citizens to know disaster loans from the SBA are not just for businesses. Homeowners may also qualify low-interest loans as low as 1.563 percent to help rebuild or repair their homes and personal property. Renters may qualify to repair or replace personal property. In fact, the majority of SBA loans are made to homeowners. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides low-interest, long term disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private/ non—profit organizations, homeowners, and renters or replace uninsured/underinsured disaster damaged property. Small Business Administration loans offer an affordable way for individuals and businesses to recover from declared disasters.

You do not have to accept the SBA loan, but sometimes-unanticipated needs arise so having the loan in your ‘back pocket’ can make a difference.

At this time 155 Newport News residents have submitted applications for consideration. Additional information and to check on an application can be obtained at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or by calling the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.