Calif. Disaster Assistance Centers Switch to SBA Outreach Centers

Three federal/state assistance centers in California’s flood-stricken counties of Marin, Napa and Solano will transition to U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Outreach Centers (OC) in Napa, San Anselmo and Vacaville beginning Monday, March 20.

The assistance centers originally were staffed by federal, state and local officials and by volunteer agencies to provide disaster assistance information and to answer questions from residents and business owners who registered for disaster assistance for damages they suffered in the December-January flooding.

“At this stage of the recovery process, we believe the transition of the assistance center to an SBA outreach center will better meet the long-term needs of disaster affected citizens,” said Federal Coordinating Officer, Tom Davies of the Federal Emergency Management Agency

SBA Customer Service Representatives will continue to provide individuals and business owners with face-to-face service in completing their loan applications, answering their questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, and explaining how a SBA disaster loan can help them pay for their disaster losses.

The SBA Outreach Centers, located at 2261 Elm St., Bldg. K in Napa; 3 Tunstead Ave. in San Anselmo; and 630 Merchant St. in Vacaville, will continue to be open Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SBA offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profits. SBA disaster loans are the federal government’s primary source of money to pay for repair or replacement costs not fully covered by insurance or other recoveries. Disaster victims are encouraged to visit a SBA Outreach Center, or call us at (800) 659-2955 if they have questions or need help filling out their SBA application.

“Help with questions on federal and state disaster assistance is just a phone call away,” said State Coordinating Officer, Henry Renteria, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. “We want to make sure everyone registers who may be eligible for assistance,” he said.

Individuals may still register for disaster assistance online at www.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. The lines are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For questions and answers about available assistance selected the Helpline option.