Federal assistance is available to eligible individuals and households in 16 Arkansas counties. Locally the counties included are Boone and Fulton. Benton, Carroll, Clay, Faulkner, Jackson, Lawrence, Prairie, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Washington, White, Woodruff and Yell also qualify for assistance.Damage or loss from the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding must have occurred between April 26th and May 19th.
The last day to apply is Monday, Aug. 14. Online applications may be submitted until midnight and the FEMA Helpline is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Daylight Time daily. Helpline operators are trained to help individuals needing assistance in registering to get their information into the system.
To register for FEMA disaster assistance call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585. If using 711 or VRS (Video Relay Service), call 800-621-3362.
Help is available in most languages, and information on the registration process is available in ASL at fema.gov (available in Spanish) at Google Play or the Apple App Store.
FEMAs Individual Assistance program is designed to help survivors with immediate essential needs and to help displaced survivors find a safe, functional place to live temporarily until they can return home. Many survivors may have additional needs beyond what can be provided by FEMA. The agency works closely with state, federal, faith-based and voluntary agencies which may be able to help.
If applicants are a homeowner or renter, FEMA may refer them to SBA. SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, most private nonprofit organizations, homeowners and renters. Businesses may borrow up to $2 million for any combination of property damage or economic injury.
SBA disaster loans are the primary source of money to pay for repair or replacement costs not fully covered by insurance or other compensation. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property.
Many Arkansans who register with FEMA will receive an automated call from the SBA with information on how to complete its loan application process. SBA low-interest disaster loans have interest rates fixed for the life of the loan.
SBA also offers low-interest working capital loans, called Economic Injury Disaster Loans, to small businesses, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes having difficulty meeting obligations as a result of the disaster.
There are three ways to apply to SBA after you register with FEMA. Applicants may call SBA at 800-659-2955. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call 800-877-8339. Those interested may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBAs secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applications are also accepted by mail by mail. First complete a paper application and then mail it to SBA at
14925 Kingsport Road, Ft. Worth TX 76155-2243.
For updates on the Arkansas response and recovery, follow the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (@AR_Emergencies) on Twitter and Facebook and http://www.adem.arkansas.gov/.
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