Disaster assistance for providers

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What is Disaster Assistance? Disaster assistance is money or direct assistance to individuals, families and businesses in an area whose property has been damaged or destroyed and whose losses are not covered by insurance.

1. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

• FEMA will provide assistance for the lease, purchase, or construction of temporary facilities to re-establish child care services that were present prior to a disaster. Assistance is limited to child care facilities operated by a governmental or eligible private non-profit entity prior to a disaster. If the facility was damaged, the cost of obtaining temporary facilities to re-establish operation of the program until the damaged facility can be repaired is an activity eligible for FEMA.

• Eligibility: You might be eligible if your losses occurred in an area covered by a disaster declaration. If you have insurance, you must file a claim with your insurance company. You may qualify for FEMA assistance if you are a private nonprofit facility.

• Website: http://www.fema.gov/

• Contact: 1-800-621-3362. Persons with speech or hearing disabilities may call TTY (800) 462-7585.

• Local information for your disaster: http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4085

• Apply here: http://www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm

Frequently asked questions about FEMA:

Is disaster assistance still available if I have insurance? 
By law, FEMA cannot provide money to individuals or households for losses that are covered by insurance. You have up to twelve (12) months from the date you registered with FEMA to submit your insurance information for review.

What information do I need to apply for FEMA? (other requirements for private nonprofits; see list below)

1. Your social security number
2. Current and pre-disaster address
3. A telephone number where you can be contacted
4. Total household annual income
5. A routing and account number from your bank (only necessary if you want to have disaster assistance funds transferred directly into your bank account)
6. A description of your losses that were caused by the disaster      

 Private Nonprofits:
1. Submit a Request for Public Assistance Form
2. Submit a Private Nonprofit Facility Questionnaire Form
3. Provide a copy of Bylaws and Tax Exempt Status
4. Provide lease agreement or proof of ownership
5. Provide general maintenance documentation

You can check the status of your application after 24 hours at http://www.disasterassistance.gov/. After filing with FEMA, you may receive a SBA Loan packet. Because child care is a business you will want to keep this packet and review the information as it is an opportunity to apply for a low interest loan.

2. U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

• Provides low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and most private non-profit organizations to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory, and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster.

• Eligibility: If your business or private, nonprofit organization has suffered physical damage or your small business or private, nonprofit organization of any size has sustained economic injury after a disaster, you may be eligible for financial assistance from SBA. If your business—regardless of size—is located in the declared disaster area, you may apply for a long-term, low-interest loan to repair or replace damaged property.

• Website: http://www.sba.gov/

• SBA FAQs: http://www.sba.gov/content/fact-sheet-businesses-all-sizes

• Contact: 1-800-659-2955 or email your questions to disastercustomerservice.sba.gov

• Contact local SBA office in New York State: http://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/NY/local-resources

• Additional local information for your disaster: http://www.sba.gov/content/new-york-hurricane-sandy-disaster-declaration-13365-0

• Apply here: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

Frequently asked questions about SBA:

Is disaster assistance still available if I have insurance?

The SBA loans may cover uninsured or under-insured losses. 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.

What is the SBA application process?

1. If you are applying for assistance for a Presidential disaster declaration, homeowners and renters must register with FEMA to obtain a FEMA Registration ID Number by calling 1-800-621-3362. The speech or hearing impaired may call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.

2. Review SBA’s FAQ sheet at http://www.sba.gov/content/fact-sheet-businesses-all-sizes

3. Discuss assistance needs with an SBA representative by dialing 1-800-659-2955 or visit the web site at http://www.sba.gov/ or email your questions to disastercustomerservice.sba.gov

4. Apply:

• in person at any Disaster Recovery Center and receive personal, one-on-one help from an SBA representative.
• online using SBA’s Electronic Loan Application at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela
• via a paper application which can be found at www.sba.gov. Be sure to discuss completed application and where to submit the application with an SBA representative.

How long does it take to find out if I am approved for a SBA Loan? 

The SBA tries to make a decision within 14-21 days. Make sure the application is complete. Missing information is a major cause of delays.

What if I am not approved or only partially approved for an SBA loan? 

If you are not approved for an SBA loan, you may still be eligible for FEMA dollars. See contact information above.

Should I wait for my insurance settlement before I file my loan application? 
No. Don’t miss the filing deadline by waiting for an insurance settlement.

What does a physical disaster loan pay for that could help my child care program? 

Some examples include: Real property, machinery, equipment, fixtures, inventory, and leasing improvements. SBA loans will cover uninsured physical damage. If your property was insured but you are required to apply insurance proceeds to an outstanding mortgage on the damaged property, you can include the amount applied in your disaster loan application.

3. Additional assistance and resources

Locate 70 forms of assistance from 17 federal agencies
http://www.disasterassistance.gov/disaster-assistance/browse-by-federal-agency

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Eligibility for free meals (school lunch, breakfast, Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), etc.)
http://www.naccrra.org/sites/default/files/default_site_pages/2012/cacfp_disaster_guidance.pdf

Office of Children and Family Services
Child Care Assistance for Victims of Superstorm Sandy
http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/childcare/emergency_planning/hurricane_Sandy.asp