BRUNSWICK, Ga. – A mobile Disaster Recovery Center will open at 8 a.m. Saturday to assist Hurricane Irma survivors in Charlton County.
The center will be staffed by representatives of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
The center will be at 426 Rosa Parks Rd., Folkston, GA 31537.
The mobile DRC will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily beginning Saturday.
Survivors do not need to go to a DRC to register with FEMA. In fact, survivors are encouraged to register before visiting a DRC if possible.
DRCs are accessible facilities survivors can visit to meet face-to-face with representatives from the GEMA, FEMA, SBA, and other recovery partners. When visiting a DRC, survivors can:
- Check on the status of your application,
- Ask questions about a FEMA determination letter and how to appeal a decision by FEMA,
- Get help applying for SBA disaster loans,
- Ask questions about flood insurance and hazard mitigation techniques
The quickest way to apply for federal assistance is online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or through the FEMA mobile app.
Survivors may also apply by phone at 800-621-3362 (voice, 711 or VRS) or 800-462-7585 (TTY). Lines may be busy. Try calling in the morning or evening when call volume may be lower. The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. ET, seven days a week.
The deadline to register with FEMA and complete and submit SBA disaster loans in Georgia is Nov. 14.
The SBA offers low-interest, long-term disaster loans for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private nonprofits.
Survivors who are referred to SBA by FEMA should complete the loan application even if they do not plan to accept a loan. It is a step in the federal disaster assistance process. Those who do not qualify for a disaster home loan may become eligible for other grant assistance from FEMA. Loans do not have to be accepted if offered.
Survivors may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Loan applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov.
Additional information on the disaster loan program may be obtained by:
- Calling SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing)
- Sending an email to DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov.
FEMA Individual Assistance is designed to help survivors with immediate essential needs, housing repairs to make their homes safe, sanitary and functional, and temporary rental assistance so they can find a safe place to live until their homes are repaired or until they find other permanent housing options. After insurance, SBA disaster loans are the largest source of rebuilding funds. Many survivors may have additional needs beyond what can be provided by FEMA programs. FEMA works closely with state, federal, faith-based and voluntary agency partners to help match survivors who have remaining needs with other sources of assistance.