Deadline for Hurricane Gustav Disaster Funds Nears in Mississippi

Nov. 25, 2008, is the deadline to register for federal and state Hurricane Gustav disaster aid, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Residents and business owners in Adams, Hancock, Harrison, Washington and Wilkinson counties who suffered severe weather damages or losses during the period of Aug. 28 to Sept. 8, 2008, have only until then to register for disaster assistance

Disaster assistance could include grants to help pay for temporary housing needs, essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest disaster loans from the SBA also may be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

To date, FEMA has approved more than $5.25 million in disaster aid to homeowners and renters, while the SBA has approved nearly $1.6 million in disaster loans to homeowners, renters, and businesses.

To apply, simply call toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA ( 3362 ) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired. Those with access to a computer can apply online at www.fema.gov/.

Information on SBA loan applications also is available by calling the toll-free SBA Customer Service Center, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1-800-659-2955, or visit the SBA web site at www.sba.gov, or by emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Disaster victims can visit SBA’s secure Web site at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply online for disaster loans.