| OK Wildfire Disaster Recovery Centers are now transitioning to US SBA DisasterLoan Outreach Centers |
The Disaster Recovery Centers in Midwest City and Ratliff City will transition to U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Centers beginning on Monday, July 20, State and Federal disaster officials announced today.
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Small Business Administration officials opened the Disaster Recovery Centers to provide one-stop, face-to-face assistance and disaster information to homeowners, renters and business owners who suffered damage as a result of the April wildfires.
"Oklahoma residents should be assured that just because the Midwest City and Ratliff City Disaster Recovery Centers will close does not mean FEMA is leaving the community," said FEMA's Federal Coordinating Officer Kenneth R. Tingman. "If you have not registered yet, if you have questions about your application or our programs, call us at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585, or go online." Operators are available daily from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm Central Time. The deadline to apply is August 18, 2009.
SBA representatives at the Disaster Loan Outreach Center will meet individually with each applicant to assist in completing disaster applications and to accept completed applications. Returning SBA applications is an essential part of the disaster recovery process even for individuals who cannot afford a loan, so they may be considered for all federal assistance programs available.
The Disaster Loan Outreach Centers are located in Midwest City at the Eastside Church of Christ, 916 Douglas Blvd. and in Ratliff City at the Ratliff City Baptist Church, 234 Church Street. Hours are 9 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday until further notice.
SBA is the federal government's primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.
Informational materials on FEMA's Individuals and Households Program and the Hazard Mitigation Program will be available at both SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers.