The victims who suffered property damage during last winter’s storms have more time to register for federal disaster relief. The registration period, which was scheduled to end last Thursday, has now been extended to September 1st.
Chad Bowman, a spokesperson for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, says it is important for anyone who has storm related damage to register before the deadline, even if they think they don’t qualify.
Bowman adds, “If you do not apply, you will not receive any assistance. If you do apply, there is an opportunity to receive that assistance. You never know unless you try.”
FEMA has so far approved five and a half million dollars in assistance for Monterey County. That’s in addition to more than two and a half million dollars in Small Business Administration disaster loans.
The deadline for SBA loans application has also been extended to September 1st.
Although the FEMA and SBA disaster centers in Monterey County have been closed, applications can still be submitted online or by phone. You can register for assistance from FEMA on their website, www.disasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.
The SBA customer service center phone number is 800-659-2955. Its website is https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/ .
Two local charities, Community Bridges and Catholic Charities, have opened a satellite resource center in Pajaro. They offer assistance with FEMA and SBA applications. That center is located at 14 Porter Drive in Pajaro and operates Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9 am until 4 pm.
