More than 8,700 register for FEMA aid
A total of 8,775 households applied for individual assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, just as the registration period closed on Monday afternoon.
According to the latest data from the agency, 4,496 applications and $22.5 million in assistance were approved so far.
Applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also closed on Monday.
As of that day, 189 loan applications were approved, bringing the total amount of approved loans to more than $10.4 million, according to data given by SBA public information officer Bill Koontz.
Home loans account for 144 of the total approved applications, of which $4.9 were loaned out. More than $5.5 million was approved for the 45 business or economic injury disaster loans.
With the registration period closed, the Disaster Recovery Center at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe will be closing on Friday at 5pm. After that day, FEMA representatives will no longer be there.
Those who need assistance with their FEMA applications may call the toll-free number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for survivors with hearing disabilities.
In DRC’s place, U.S. SBA will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center.
“SBA is going to open next Tuesday what we call a Disaster Loan Outreach Center,” Koontz said.
SBA representatives will be available at the center to meet individually with residents and business owners to answer their questions, explain SBA’s disaster loan program, help them complete their applications, and close their approved disaster loans.
“We’ll be doing the exact same thing we’ve been doing. We’ll be talking to disaster loan applicants, helping them close their loans and so forth,” he added.
DLOC will open on Oct. 13, following the Commonwealth Cultural Day this coming Monday, which is a legal holiday.
Those who have SBA-related questions or need assistance can visit DLOC on Mondays through Fridays only from 9am to 6pm.
Koontz said the SBA may be at the DLOC for at least two weeks or more, “as long as we need to be there to help people sign their approved loan paperwork.”
