# Disaster News {#disaster-news .Facsimile-Line}

Nearly \$31 Million Approved for NJ Residents

*Only Two Weeks Remain To Register*

**PISCATAWAY, NJ -- June 11, 2007 --** Individuals and businesses
affected by the severe storms and flooding that occurred in April, have
14 days remaining to apply for federal disaster assistance before the
**June 25 deadline.**

More than **14,800** residents in the designated counties of Bergen,
Burlington, Camden, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex,
Morris, Passaic, Somerset and Union have applied for assistance and more
than **\$30 million** in federal grants and low-interest loans have been
approved.

The following is an update of recovery activities from the New Jersey
Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM), U.S. Department of Homeland
Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small
Business Administration (SBA) as of close of business Sunday, June 10,
2007.

-   **14,827** homeowners and renters from the designated counties have
    applied for assistance.

-   **\$15.9 million** in federal grants have been approved to date for
    applicants through FEMA's Individuals and Household Program. This
    assistance may be used for temporary disaster housing assistance;
    repairing disaster-damaged, uninsured homes to a safe, sanitary and
    functional condition and replacement grants for serious,
    disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or
    other assistance programs.

-   **Over \$15 million** in SBA low-interest disaster loans have been
    approved for homeowners, renters and business owners

-   **More than 13,000** inspections have been completed.

-   **4,286** people have visited one of 13 Disaster Recovery Centers
    (DRCs) that were opened in New Jersey.

-   **13,592** disaster loan applications have been issued by the SBA,
    including **12,066** for homeowners and renters and **1,515** for
    businesses. **SBA officials encourage anyone who has received an
    application from the SBA to submit it as soon as possible in order
    to avoid delaying other forms of possible assistance. The deadline
    to submit the SBA loan application is June 25.**

**Assistance Still Just a Toll-Free Call Away**

Federal and state officials urge anyone who suffered damages or loss
from the severe storms and flooding that occurred April 14-20 to apply
for assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free registration number
**1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585** for the speech or
hearing impaired. The lines are open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily until
further notice. Individuals also may register at
[www.fema.gov](http://www.fema.gov/) . **The deadline to apply for
assistance is June 25.**

**Disaster Recovery Center Available**

The DRC in Bound Brook is open from **9 a.m. to 6 p.m.**, and **will
be** **closing Wednesday, June 13**.

**SBA Disaster Loan Assistance Centers Available**

There are seven SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers (DLOC) in Lumberton,
Paterson, Pennsauken, Piscataway, Clayton, Lodi and Fairfield where SBA
representatives are available to answer questions and help individuals
complete their low-interest loan applications. The DLOCs are open Monday
through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Paterson, whose hours are
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Lodi, whose hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For
business questions, a Business Assistance Center is open in Bound Brook,
8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

SBA offers disaster loans up to \$200,000 to repair disaster-damaged
primary residences. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to
\$40,000 to replace damaged personal property such as furniture and
clothing. Loans to businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit
organizations up to \$1.5 million are available to repair or replace
damaged real estate, machinery and equipment, supplies and inventory.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are also available to small
businesses unable to pay bills or meet operating expenses because of the
disaster.

*FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public
transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and
burial expenses do not require individuals* to *apply for an SBA loan.
However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them
to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal
property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage
expenses.*

*FEMA and NJOEM work together to coordinate the federal and state
governments' roles in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects
of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether
natural or man-made, including acts of terror.*

*Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race,
color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency
or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated
against; call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call
800-462-7585.*