FEMA disaster help deadline extended

June 25– The Federal Emergency Management Agency has approved a request by Tennessee for a 30-day extension of the deadline to register for federal assistance for those affected by the severe storms and flooding between April 30 and May 18.

"The additional time for disaster survivors to discover the extent of their damage, file for assistance and prepare their claims is important for a full recovery from this storm of historic proportions," said Federal Coordinating Officer Gracia Szczech.

Tennesseans can now file for Individual Assistance through August 5.

Likewise, the deadline to submit loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has also been extended through August 5, 2010.

While no one is required to take out an SBA loan, applications are a key part of the FEMA registration process.

A loan denial may open up other assistance to eligible applicants.

To date, FEMA has approved more than $141 million in aid to disaster households in the state, while the SBA has approved nearly $89 million in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofit organizations.

FEMA will also take applications for assistance during the upcoming holiday weekend.

Disaster survivors in the counties designated for Individual Assistance may apply online anytime at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, or call the FEMA help line at 800-621-3362 (FEMA).

The help line operates seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

You must register with FEMA to receive federal disaster assistance. Filing damage reports with state or county emergency managers or voluntary agencies will not start the process.