Our area did not meet the threshold for some forms of assistance following the storms. So, what's the next step?
With so much confusion regarding State and Federal assistance, we have spoken to Barbara Nitis, Public Information Officer for the Office of Disaster Assistance, Field Operations Center. Nitis said today, "This is an Administrative Declaration where the Small Business Administration assists with low interest government loans. Only in a Presidential Declaration will FEMA and SBA assist. In this declaration, it did not meet the threshold for a presidential."
Documents needed to file for assistance can be found at the bottom of this article.
Nitis added, "All the disaster loan outreach centers in Jasper, Newton, and Tyler Counties opened on May 6th and will close on May 24th. The centers are for individuals who need one-one assistance from our customer service representatives. The hours of operation are below and in the press release. This disaster assistance is available to homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations including places of worship".
Jasper County is the primary county, and all the surrounding counties can come to any Disaster Loan Outreach Center or apply online at https://lending.sba.gov. They also have a customer service number 1800-659-2955. The deadline is July 1, 2024, for physical damage loans and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans are January 30, 2025. There is a 12-month deferment on our disaster loans with 0% interest and no accrual from the date of your first disbursement.
Jasper County:
Jasper County EOC
271 East Lamar St, Jasper, TX 75951
Opens at 8 a.m. Monday, May 6
Mondays – Fridays, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Closes 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 24
Newton County:
Trout Creek Fire Department
17400 State Highway 87, Call, TX 75933
Opens at 9 a.m. Monday, May 6
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Closes 6 p.m. Friday, May 24
Tyler County:
Tyler County EOC
201 Veterans Way, Woodville, TX 75979
Opens at 9 a.m. Monday, May 6
Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Closes 6 p.m. Friday, May 24
Here is quick update.
Low-interest federal disaster loans are now available to Texas businesses and residents as a result of the Severe Storms, Flooding, Hail and Straight-line Winds that occurred on April 8 through the 26th of April 2024.
The Agency Declaration covers Jasper County and contiguous Texas counties of: Angelina, Hardin, Newton, Orange, Sabine, San Augustine & Tyler County's.
Linked below;
SBA Fact Sheet
Press release
Disaster Loan Outreach Center Flyer
The deadline for physical damage is July 1, 2024. For Economic Injury Disaster Loan, the deadline is January 30, 2025.
We encourage people to complete the SBA application even if they are not sure if they need it yet. If approved the loan becomes an option.
Businesses
Property Damage: up to $2,000,000 to repair or replace real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other assets that were damaged or destroyed (available to businesses of any size and private, non-profit organizations).
Economic Injury: for businesses and private non-profit organizations suffering adverse financial impacts of the disaster (with or without property loss), up to $2,000,000 for working capital to help pay obligations until normal operations resume.
Individuals and Families
Homeowners: up to $500,000 to repair or replace real estate damage and up to $100,000 to replace personal property.
Renters: up to $100,000 to repair or replace personal property.
Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 2.68 percent for private nonprofit
organizations and 3.25 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at https://lending.sba.gov. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing may call 711.
