Georgia storm survivors who have been contacted by the U.S. Small Business Administration are encouraged to complete and return a disaster loan application so they can be considered for additional federal disaster assistance.

Other Needs Assistance grants may cover uninsured losses for furniture, appliances and other personal property, even vehicles. Some survivors will not be considered for this type of assistance unless they complete and return the SBA disaster loan application. FEMA grants for housing assistance and rental assistance are not affected if survivors do not complete an SBA loan application.

Applicants from Berrien, Cook, Crisp, Dougherty, Thomas, Turner, Wilcox and Worth counties should complete the application, even if they don’t want a loan.

Some grants, those for medical, dental and funeral expenses, are not SBA dependent. So in those cases completing the loan application is not necessary, nor is it needed for survivors seeking temporary rental assistance.

Other than insurance, the SBA is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property, offering low-interest loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofits, homeowners and renters.

Survivors can get more information and guidance from SBA representatives at any FEMA Disaster Recovery Center.

Apply online using the electronic loan application via SBA’s secure website at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Disaster loan information and paper application forms can be ordered from SBA’s customer service center at 800-659-2955 or by email at [email protected]. Individuals who are deaf or hardofhearing may call 800-877-8339. For more disaster assistance information or to download applications, visit sba.gov/disaster.