Application Deadline Has Passed, But Help Is Still Available

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif.–The deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance has passed, but

help is still available for survivors of the severe winter storms and mudslides that began Feb.

21 and ravaged 14 counties.

FEMA strongly recommends that renters and homeowners in Butte, Kern, Madera,

Mariposa, Mendocino, Mono, Monterey, Nevada, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Luis

Obispo, Santa Cruz, Tulare and Tuolumne counties who applied for disaster assistance by

the Sept. 1 deadline stay in touch. They will need to keep FEMA updated on any changes in

mailing addresses, email addresses, or phone numbers as well as the current status of their

insurance settlements.

FEMA can be reached by going online to disasterassistance.gov, by using the FEMA mobile

app, or by calling (800) 621-3362 toll-free, The telephone lines are currently operating

round the clock, seven days a week. People who use a relay service, captioned telephone

service or other assistive service should give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual

operators are available.

FEMA also urged survivors to complete and return any U.S. Small Business Administration

(SBA) disaster loan applications they may have received. Homeowners, renters and

businesses who have applied for low-interest disaster loans can follow up with any

questions at by calling SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955

(800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing), or by emailing

disastercustomerservice@SBA.gov.

People are not obligated to accept a loan if approved. If SBA cannot approve an application,

in most cases SBA will refer the applicant to FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program for

possible additional assistance.

Homeowners and renters who applied for FEMA disaster assistance have the right to appeal

FEMA’s eligibility decisions. Survivors who disagree with FEMA’s eligibility decision may file

an appeal in writing within 60 days of receiving their letter, even though the application

deadline has passed. To learn more about the appeals process, including what to include

and how to file an appeal, click here.

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For the latest information on California’s recovery from the severe winter storms mudslides,

visit FEMA.gov/disaster/4699. You may also follow @FEMARegion9/Twitter or

Facebook.com/FEMA.

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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters.

All FEMA disaster assistance will be provided without discrimination on the grounds of race, color,

sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, limited

English proficiency or economic status. If you believe your civil rights are being violated, call the Civil

Rights Resource line at 833-285-7448.

Recently, U.S. SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced a policy change granting

12 months of no payments and 0% interest. This pertains to all disaster loans approved in response

to disasters declared on or after September 21, 2022, through September 30, 2023. This policy

change will benefit disaster survivors and help them to decrease the overall cost of recovery by

reducing the amount of accrued interest they must repay.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is the federal government’s primary source of funds for the

long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private,

nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters, fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the

cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not

fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies

or organizations. Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and

download applications at Disaster Loan Assistance .

Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email

disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who

are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 711 to access telecommunications

relay services.