Deadline is Friday to apply for FEMA/SBA assistance

Nov. 19--Florida homeowners, renters or business owners who sustained property damage or loss caused by Hurricane Irma have until Friday to register and apply for federal disaster assistance from FEMA and low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Survivors should register even if they have insurance. FEMA cannot duplicate insurance payments, but eligible homeowners and renters may be able to receive money from FEMA for losses not covered by insurance to help pay for basic home repairs, temporary rental assistance and other needs such as replacing personal property. FEMA Individual Assistance is grant money that does not have to be repaid.

Register:

+ Online at DisasterAssistance.gov

+ Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 for voice, 711 and Video Relay Service. If deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585. Help is available in many languages. Helpline numbers are open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.

+ Information is available in ASL at: fema.gov/medialibrary/assets/videos/111546.

+ Download the FEMA Mobile App and apply.

+ Visit a Disaster Recovery Center. A list of is available on the mobile app, online at fema.gov/disaster-recovery-centers or by calling the Helpline.

FEMA specialists are in the centers to answer questions about how to register for federal disaster assistance, explain what is happening with an application and give tips on how to get help for damage insurance does not cover.

After registering with FEMA, people may apply for an SBA low-interest disaster loan. Go online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. SBA representatives also are available at disaster recovery centers.

For more recovery information, visit www.FEMA.gov/IrmaFL, or follow us @FEMARegion4 on Twitter and on FEMA's Facebook page.

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