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FEMA Deadline Monday; SBA Disaster Loan Centers Set To Close

Monday, Nov. 23 is the final day people can apply for federal disaster grants and low-interest loans for the September floods in Georgia. The total disaster assistance provided so far exceeds $93 million.

A widespread outreach effort by the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has resulted in more than 27,000 applications for federal assistance. Families, individuals and businesses that have not already registered have just days left to ask for federal financial aid.

Flood survivors can apply for help by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585. Phone lines are open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET. Help is available in all languages. Registrations also are accepted online until midnight Monday at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers and Business Recovery Centers will cease operations at close of business Monday, Nov. 23, following approximately 1,000 in-person visits from flood survivors in less than a month. The centers offer one-on-one assistance with loan paperwork to families, individuals and businesses of all sizes. To date, the SBA has approved more than 1,100 disaster loans totaling more than $41 million.

People can contact the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit www.sba.gov.

Officials urge flood survivors who have not registered for disaster assistance to call FEMA today.

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