We got 20 inches of rain 

in 12 hours and several 

of those inches wound up 

in my basement. So then 

I started the process with 

FEMA and SBA to seek 

funding for replacement of 

the damage to my property. 

The SBA, during times of disasters, 

offers low-interest loans to 

homeowners, renters and businesses 

of all sizes. First, register with 

FEMA at the teleregistration number. 

That one teleregistration number registers 

you for FEMA and SBA disaster 

loan assistance. I started the FEMA 

process on the phone and I was able 

to constantly make contact with different 

representatives. People were contacting 

me. It was a very engaging back and forth 

process that was very well handled. 

If you���re referred to SBA for a disaster loan 

you will receive a loan application in 

the mail and the most important thing 

is if you get the application you should 

complete it and return it to SBA as 

soon as possible. Initially, I did my 

SBA loan application online and I 

didn���t immediately finish it all. I 

received a phone call from SBA and 

said hey, we noticed that you started 

to do your application do you need 

any assistance in completing it. I was 

like ���wow��� this is concierge-type service. 

A lot of times people think that they 

can���t afford another loan. If they 

truly can���t afford a loan, we will not 

approve the loan. And when we don���t 

approve the loan for a homeowner or 

renter, we refer them back to FEMA 

for any possible further grant assistance 

that FEMA might be able to provide. 

I���ve been granted funding through SBA 

and I���m still working with FEMA to get 

some additional documentation with 

them to see if it���s possible to get grant 

funding through them as well. 

It���s very disheartening when you���re 

going through all the flood stuff 

that���s happening. But it has been a great 

process in terms of having someone 

who feels like they understand and 

they���re willing to help.