Editor's note: After meeting with FEMA representatives we were made aware of the corrected application deadlines. The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Dec. 12, not July 17, 2017 as reported in Sunday's print edition. Also earlier reports of FEMA opening a disaster recover centery next week in Midway is no longer confirmed.
Federal Emergency Management Agency representatives will be in Liberty County today to provide individual FEMA assistance for area residents.
Both Liberty and Long counties are included in the declared areas where individual assistance for damages and losses from Hurricane Matthew are available. The assistance provides grants or loans for those who are uninsured or have damages not covered under their current insurance policy.
Today, FEMA will be at Mt. Zion Church, 1370 Shaw Road, Hinesville, from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Before applying for any FEMA assistance those with insurance need to file a claim with their insurance provider. If you plan to file for assistance online visit: www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by mobile device at m.fema.gov.
If online or mobile access is unavailable, applicants should call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 800-621-3362.
The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is Dec. 12.
Other forms of financial assistance are available from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s disaster loan program.
According to the latest press release issued by the SBA, businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace real estate, machinery, equipment, inventory and other business assets damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Matthew when it hit Liberty County on Oct. 7.
Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace real estate damaged or destroyed in the storm. Homeowners and renters are eligible up to $40,000 to repair or replace disaster damaged or destroyed personal property.
Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Dec. 16. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Dec. 12, 2016.
For more information about the SBA’s Disaster Loan Program, visit www.sba.gov/disaster