FEDERAL ASSISTANCE FOR RHODE ISLANDERS TOPS $41 MILLION

In just under a month since a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration was announced for Rhode Island, more than $41 million in disaster assistance grants and loans has been approved to assist residents and businesses in the recovery process. Here is a summary of ongoing disaster assistance as of close of business April 27: •    $29,670,091 in disaster assistance grants under the Individuals and Households Program has been approved. This includes $27,504,780 in Housing Assistance and $2,165,311 in Other Needs Assistance. •    $12,194,700 has been approved in U.S. Small Business Administration low-interest loans. •    23,161 FEMA registrations have been received statewide, and 21,752 SBA loan applications have been issued. •    20,898 inspections have been completed. •    6,395 people have visited Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) to talk face-to-face with recovery specialists or to get help with SBA low-interest loan applications. “We continue to work closely with the State of Rhode Island to help those affected by the flood and to provide timely federal assistance necessary for their recovery process,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Gracia Szczech. Individuals who have not yet registered for assistance are encouraged to do so by calling toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY 1-800-977-8339). The deadline to apply for federal assistance is May 28. Seven Disaster Recovery Centers remain open for residents to obtain disaster assistance information, inquire about the status of applications, and receive help completing low-interest loan applications from the U.S. Small Business Administration and more. They are: Berkeley Commons – Providence County 500 Mendon Road Cumberland, RI 02864 Cranston-Garden City – Providence County 150 Hillside Road Cranston, RI 02920 Wakefield Mall – Washington County 160 Old Tower Hill Road South Kingstown, RI 02879 South County Community Action Agency – Washington County 34 Pond St. Westerly, RI 02891 West Warwick Community Center – Kent County 145 Washington St. West Warwick, RI 02893 Bristol Fire Department – Bristol County 4 Annawamscutt Drive Bristol, RI 02809 Middletown Police Station – Newport County 123 Valley Road Middletown, RI 02842 DRC hours are Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.; Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., until further notice. ### FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders and to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to recover from, and mitigate all hazards. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private, nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and 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. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call (800) 659-2955 (TTY 1-800-977-8339). Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status.  If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.