WARNER ROBINS, Ga. — Georgians affected by Hurricane Irma
Residents in Camden, Charlton, Chatham, Coffee, Glynn, Liberty and McIntosh counties have until Nov. 14 to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster assistance and submit their disaster loan applications with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Even if you’ve applied with another agency or organization, you must register with FEMA to access federal disaster assistance. Forms of assistance can include grants for temporary housing and emergency home repairs, SBA low-interest disaster loans and referrals with volunteer organizations who may provide free recovery help.
The quickest way to register is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by using the FEMA mobile app. You can also call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (Voice, 711 or VRS) or800-462-7585 (TTY). Lines may be busy, so it’s best to call in the morning or evening. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, seven days a week. Multilingual operators are available. Press 2 for Spanish; press 3 for other languages.
Once registered with FEMA, you may be contacted by the SBA. A low-interest SBA disaster assistance loan may help homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes cover disaster-related expenses like structural repairs or replacement of personal property. If SBA is not able to approve a home loan, you will be referred back to FEMA for possible further assistance.
If you have questions about low-interest SBA disaster loans, call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or 800-877-8339 (TTY/TDD) or send an email todisastercustomerservice@sba.
If you receive a letter from FEMA, read it carefully and respond if necessary. Sometimes, FEMA needs additional documents to process your application. Examples of missing documentation may include an insurance settlement letter, proof of residence, proof of ownership of the damaged property, and proof that the damaged property was your primary residence at the time of the disaster.
You may appeal any determination provided by FEMA in writing. Call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or (TTY) 800-462-7585 for any questions on the appeal review process and to review your file. Have your nine-digit FEMA registration number and zip code available/handy.
To meet face-to-face with representatives from FEMA, SBA, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency and volunteer groups, visit the Disaster Recovery Center located at Ballard Park, Suite 102, 323 Old Jesup Road, Brunswick, GA 31520. The center is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (closed on Sundays). The center will be closed on Fri., Nov. 10, in observance of Veterans Day and will re-open Sat., Nov. 11.
For updates on Georgia’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4338 and www.gema.ga.gov. On Twitter, follow @FEMARegion4 and @GeorgiaEMA.
Remember, the deadline to register with FEMA in Georgia is Tue., Nov. 14, 2017.
