Convos with SBA & FEMA

December 1, 2017 Forward! / People / Things to Do

BREAKING NEWS! SBA Application deadline extended to Jan 8th #IrMaria #LOAN #USVI Watch here for the latest interview Sunday afternoon

Since September, our beautiful Virgin Islands has been literally flooded with people who have come to help us recover after the multi-layered devastation caused by Hurricanes #IrMaria. From linemen putting back up electricity poles and relief volunteers clearing debris or rebuilding homes to agencies like FEMA and the SBA. With support application deadlines looming, those who need the services sometimes have a hard time easily accessing the necessary information. This article is an attempt to assist with that for those wanting to learn about and apply for an SBA loan or those who need to understand how the SBA and FEMA work together.

When most people hear the word loan, they cringe, mainly because of the interest rate and the fear that you won’t be able to pay it back. In a disaster response situation, that fear is heightened even more. Sometimes seeing the people you’re speaking about who are explaining how to do things is helpful, so watch the video and listen to clear explanations from SBA Public Affairs Specialists Jeanette Williams, Sandra Lawson and Elizabeth Dwyer.

FOR MORE INFO:
Visit: www.sba.gov/disaster
Call: 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339)

TOPICS DISCUSSED in the Part 1 Video:
· The SBA Disaster Assistance Program is not just for Businesses.
· What’s the difference between FEMA and SBA disaster assistance?
· If FEMA refers me to SBA what should I do? I don’t want a loan.
· If someone has already registered with FEMA do they need to register with SBA?
· How many damage inspectors can I expect to contact me?
· Have a good idea what your losses are. what rooms damaged; % loss;
· How will SBA contact me?
· I got a letter from SBA, but I’m not sure what it means?
· I’ve already been to the Disaster Recovery Center and I’ve been on the phone on hold and I’m still not sure of the status of my application?
· I received a notification indicating that my application has been withdrawn. What does that mean?
· I received a letter indicating that my application was denied?
· I haven’t filed my 2016 Tax return. Is that a problem?
· I’m not sure how to answer the inspectors questions regarding the damage. Be clear about how the damage occurred. Be specific about the cause/nature of the damage—flooding–under/ wind driven rain—window doors
· What if my rental property was damaged?
· I have a second home that was damaged. It’s where my children live. Can I apply for SBA disaster loan to repair my property?
· I haven’t heard back from my insurance company yet.
· What are the eligibility criteria for SBA Disaster loans?
· I live on my boat and it was damaged. Can I apply for SBA Disaster Loan?
· I lost my crops in the hurricanes. My farm was destroyed. Can I apply for the SBA disaster loan?
· What should I do if I suspect fraudulent activity?
· How can I apply for the SBA disaster loan?
· What is the deadline to apply?

No automatic alt text available.Part 2 of “Open Conversations with SBA & FEMA” will be on Tuesday, Dec 5th at 11am via WUVI’s Facebook Live and Audio Stream on www.wuvi.am

TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED in Part 2 with FEMA:

  • Hurricane survivors have till Dec. 18 to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance.
  • FEMA applicants have 60 days from the date of their ineligibility letter to appeal their cases in writing.
  • Make sure FEMA inspectors know your registration number when they visit your property.
  • FEMA’s phone lines are open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Lines are open seven days a week.
  • Disaster recovery centers are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Survivors could also register by telephone at 1-800-621-3362, apply for assistance online at www.disasterassistance.gov or download the FEMA application on iOS or Android.
  • Recovery centers are open on St. Thomas at Tutu Park Mall, the former Scotiabank building in Charlotte Amalie on the waterfront and at the Bordeaux Farmers Market.
  • St. John disaster recovery centers are open at the Legislature Annex in Cruz Bay and Town and Country building in Coral Bay.
  • St. Croix disaster recovery centers are at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Christiansted, Old Post Office building in Christiansted, Fire Captain Rencelliar I in Christiansted and Rotary Club West in Frederiksted.
  • Disaster unemployment assistance has been extended to Dec. 29. Unemployment is funded by FEMA but is administered by the Virgin Islands Labor Department.
  • An emergency assistance program is available for uninsured survivors. The program provides a 30-day supply of covered drugs and medical supplies. Call the assistance program at 1-855-793-7470. Enrollment runs through Jan. 31.

  • Survivors can register for FEMA assistance by going in-line to www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 for voice, 711, orVideo Relay Service.

  • Survivors who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have difficulty speaking and use a TTY, should call 800-462-7585 directly. The same number can be used for 711, VRS and other relay services.

  • FEMA Registration Deadline for Irma and Maria extended to December 18th FEMA Multi Family Repair and Lease Program email address:  FEMA-USVI-MLR@FEMA.DHS.GOV      

  •  Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been extended to December 29th  both Hurricanes Irma an Maria

    • DUA is funded by FEMA but administered by the Territory                                                                                                                                       

  • Survivors that lost their jobs as a result of the hurricanes should register with the Virgin Island Department of Labor (not with FEMA) at the following locations:

    • St. Croix: USVI Department of Labor, 4401 Sion Farm, Christiansted; Monday through Friday
    • St. John: Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the USVI Legislature, St. John Annex, 1D Cruz Bay; Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
    • St. Thomas: USVI Department of Labor at 2353 Kronprindsens Gade, Monday through Friday


  • The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is making the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP) available for uninsured survivors to ensure they have access to medicines and medical equipment.

      • The free program provides a 30-day supply of covered drugs and medical supplies that can be renewed every 30 days for as long as the program is active.
      • People who live in the disaster area and do not have any form of prescription insurance should call the EPAP enrollment toll-free hotline at:       

  • 1-855-793-7470.

      • The current enrollment period runs through Jan. 31, 2018.


  • Visit the FEMA USVI Facebook page at:  www.facebook.com/FEMAUSVirginIslands to get trusted information with the ongoing recovery effort.

  • Visit the FEMA Region-2 Twitter page at: https://twitter.com/femaregion2 to get trusted information with the ongoing recovery effort.

  •  
    Disaster Recovery Centers
    Island USVI St. Thomas
    Location Estate Bordeaux-Bordeaux Farmers Market
    Address 109 East Bordeaux
    Hours 8:00am-5:00pm
    Island USVI St. Thomas
    Location Charlotte Amalie (Former ScotiaBank)
    Address 81 CC&DD Kronspindsens Gade (on the waterfront)
    Hours 8:00am-5:00pm
    Island USVI St. Thomas
    Location Charlotte Amalie-Tutu Park Mall
    Address 4605 Tutu Park Mall, Suite 233
    Hours 8:00am-5:00pm
    Island USVI St. John
    Location Cruz Bay-USVI Legislature-STJ Annex
    Address 1D Cruz Bay
    Hours 8:00am-5:00pm
    Island USVI St. John
    Location Coral Bay-Town & Country Building
    Address 8-1 Estate Emmaus
    Hours 8:00am-5:00pm
    Island USVI St. Croix
    Location Christiansted-St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
    Address 38-44 Castle Coakley
    Hours 8:00am-5:00pm
    Island USVI St. Croix
    Location Fredericksted-Rotary Club West
    Address 40 KA-KD Estate LaGrange
    Hours 8:00am-5:00pm
    Island USVI St. Croix
    Location Christiansted-Old Post Office Building
    Address Church St x Company St
    Hours 8:00am-5:00pm
    Island USVI St. Croix
    Location Christiansted-Fire Captain Rencelliar I
    Address Gibbs Fire Station, Parcel #1, Estate Cotton Valley, East End
    Hours 8:00am-5:00pm
    Individual Assistance Summary Total*
    Registrations 35,919
    Individual Household Program Disbursed $ 27,369,337.00
    Housing Assistance $ Disbursed $ 22,596,077.00
    Other Needs Assistance $ Disbursed $   4,773,260.00
    *Totals reflect USVI both Hurricane Irma and Maria

    Small Business Administration (SBA)

  • The SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to help homeowners and renters as well as businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations to cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.

    • It’s important that survivors know they do not have to accept an SBA loan, if one is offered. If they do not qualify for a loan, SBA will refer them back to FEMA and they could be considered for other FEMA grants for Other Needs Assistance (ONA).
    • Contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.Survivors who are deaf or hard of hearing may call TTY 800-877-8339.
    • SBA Business Recovery Centers can be found at:

  • St. Thomas: Virgin Islands Small Business Development Center

  • University of the Virgin Islands

  • 8000 Nisky Center, Suite 720 

  • St. Thomas, VI 00802

  • Hours are Monday –Saturday from 8:00am – 5:00pm. Closed on Sundays

  • St. Croix: Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

  • 4100 Sion Farm Shopping Center, Suite 16

  • Christiansted, St. Croix USVI 00820

  • Hours are Monday –Saturday from 8:00am – 5:00pm. Closed on Sundays

  • Speaking of the Small Business Administration (SBA), they just informed me:

  • As of December 1, 2017: **Home and Business loans approved for the US Virgin Islands = $77.8mil**

  • Includes both Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.

  • What’s the number for debris again?!?

  • The US Army Corps of Engineers wanted me to share the hotline numbers again

  • Debris Hotline number is 340-643-3296 (St. Thomas and St. John)

  • For Debris on St. Croix, contact DPW (St. Croix)

Connect with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) & FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency on Facebook.
FOR MORE SBA INFO:
Visit: www.sba.gov/disaster
Call: 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339)
Click the links to find up-to-date information on FEMA’s response to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

You may also like...

Leave a Reply

Verified by MonsterInsights