09.20.11

Hoeven Encourages Citizens to Apply for Disaster Assistance Before Deadline

BISMARCK – Senator John Hoeven today encouraged individuals and businesses to submit their applications for disaster assistance before the Sept. 22 deadline. The Thursday deadline applies to FEMA individual assistance, disaster unemployment assistance and SBA loans for home and businesses  

“We know it’s challenging for people to complete applications for recovery assistance before they know the full extent of their damages,” Hoeven said. “Folks should be assured there will be time to update their applications as necessary, but enrolling before the deadline is extremely important.”  

Registration can be completed by calling 800-621-3362 (also applies for VRS and 711-Relay users) or TTY 800-462-7585. The toll-free line is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. central time. Individuals may also register at www.disasterassistance.gov or with a smart phone at m.fema.gov.

Individuals can file DUA benefit claims with Job Service North Dakota online at www.jobsnd.com; by mail or fax (forms are located under the DUA link on jobsnd.com); by phone at 701-328-1152 (TTY 800-366-6888), from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Information about SBA loans is available through SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call TTY 800-877-8339. Applicants may also apply for SBA loans online at SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.