Only a Week Left to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance

Release Date Release Number
NR 016
Release Date:
February 1, 2021

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – With only one week left before the Feb. 8 filing deadline for federal disaster assistance, Alabama residents who had losses or damage from Hurricane Zeta are encouraged to review the many types of grants and loans that are available.

Survivors may apply if they live in Clarke, Dallas, Marengo, Mobile, Perry, Washington and Wilcox counties and had damage from last fall’s Oct. 28-29 storm.

FEMA’s Individual Assistance program may provide financial assistance for disaster-related needs such as childcare, medical or dental care and grants for damaged or uninhabitable housing. Survivors should not expect that FEMA grants will restore your storm-damaged home to pre-disaster condition. Grants help make the dwelling safe, sanitary and functional. 

FEMA will consider your application if you have no insurance or insufficient coverage to meet your serious disaster-related needs. Assistance may include rent and grants for essential home repairs and personal property losses.

There are several ways to apply to FEMA:

Residents of the seven counties also have the option to apply to the U.S. Small Business Administration for a disaster loan. Interest rates are as low as 1.188 percent for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair and replace real estate that was damaged or destroyed in the storm. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 in loans to repair or replace Zeta-damaged personal property. Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or working capital.

The SBA filing deadline to return applications for property damage is also Feb. 8. The deadline for businesses to return working capital applications is Sept. 10, 2021. Applicants may apply online using SBA’s secure website at DisasterLoan.sba.gov or they may email FOCE-Help@SBA.gov for more information on SBA’s disaster assistance program.

For a comprehensive database of health and human service agencies available in your community, dial 211, text 888-421-1266, or chat via www.211connectsalabama.org. For more information on Alabama’s disaster recovery, visit ema.alabama.gov, AlabamaEMA Facebook page, www.fema.gov/disaster/4573 and www.facebook.com/fema.

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