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Resources available now to fire survivors, FEMA assistance & SBA loans

FEMA: The Administration has approved a major disaster declaration for the LNU Lightning Complex in Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. The declaration provides a number of programs to assist individuals, households and businesses, along with assistance for public agencies and selected non-profits that have participated in response efforts. Anyone impacted by the fires - families, volunteers, employers or employees facing challenges from these fires- should register with FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or by going online at www.disasterassistance.gov.

Small Business Administration (SBA): The Administration also approved U.S. SmallBusiness Administration (SBA) loans for homeowners, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. The SBA loans are to help businesses repair or replace disaster-damaged property, inventory, and supplies. Homeowners and renters may also be eligible for SBA loans to repair or replace disaster-related damages to homes or personal property. Businesses and homeowners that would like to apply for SBA loans can do so online at: http://www.sba.gov/category/navigationstructure/loans-grants/small-business-loans/disaster-loans.

Fire Recovery Guide

The remains of a tree  marking a residence discernable burning in the background at the Austin Creek fire. (Photo: Exclusive permission-Chris Miller Ā© 2020)
The remains of a tree marking a residence discernable burning in the background at the Austin Creek fire. (Photo: Exclusive permission-Chris Miller Ā© 2020)

Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05) released a fire recovery guide to help those affected by the LNU Lightning Complex fires find and apply for the resources available to them to help them recover.

ā€œIt can be challenging to navigate all of the resources available to fire survivors as they rebuild their lives following devastating wildfires,ā€ saidĀ Rep. Thompson.Ā  ā€œI have developed a Fire Recovery Guide to support our fire survivors as they work through this process.

ā€œThe LNU Lightning Complex is one of the largest wildfires in our stateā€™s history.Ā  My staff and I are here to help our constituents every step of the way as we recover and rebuild.Ā  And, I will continue to work to ensure that our communities have ever available federal resource necessary to get back on their feet.ā€

The guide can be found here and includes information about all the current resources available to fire survivors, including FEMA assistance, and Small Business Administration loans. Unemployment assistance, Replacing Lost Documents,Legal Services:

The guide will be updated when and if more resources become available.

Download PDF:

LNUFireRecoveryGuide.pdf

The LNU Lightning Complex fires began on August 17, 2020 and have burned over 341,000 acres. Over 1,000 structures were damaged or destroyed. Tens of thousands were forced to evacuate.

A NOTE FROM CONGRESSMAN MIKE THOMPSON

The LNU Lightning Complex fires started on August 17, 2020, has burned more than 341,000 acres. The fire has destroyed more than 800 structures, many of which are homes. Thousands of people have been displaced. Funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may be available to help individuals rebuild, repair and replace housing and other personal property not covered by insurance. Individuals who were impacted by the fires should apply for FEMA assistance. You can apply in the following ways:

ā€¢ Online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov; www.disasterassistance.gov/es (Spanish)

ā€¢ Via smartphone at m.fema.gov

ā€¢ Constituents may call the registration phone number at 1-800-621-3362; those who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY, call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.

Small Business Administration (SBA) loans may also be available to individuals and businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property, inventory, and supplies. Homeowners and renters may also be eligible for SBA loans to repair or replace disaster-related damages to homes or personal property.

After registering with FEMA, businesses and homeowners that would like to apply for SBA loans can do so online at: http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/loans-grants/small-businessloans/disaster-loans.

You can also call CONGRESSMAN MIKE THOMPSONā€™s offices if you have problems with a federal agency and need additional assistance.

CONGRESSMAN MIKE THOMPSON is committed to working with our local, state and federal officials to ensure that the federal government provides all necessary resources to support our community in this time of recovery.

ā€œOur district pulls together in tough times. Weā€™ve overcome challenges before by working together, and we will do so again. Should you need anything, my staff and I are here to help.ā€œ Thompson reiterated during his announcement..

FEMA DISASTER ASSISTANCE

All individuals who were impacted by the LNU Lightning Complex should apply for FEMA assistance. Please call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov as soon as possible.

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