Small Business Administration and Federal Emergency Management Agency Recovery Center Opens At Lost Battalion Hall In Queens

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has joined with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to staff a Recovery Center in Rego Park, NY, for residents affected by the August 8 storms. The new center opens on Thursday, October 25. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday thru Friday, and closed on weekends.

The SBA-FEMA center is located at the Lost Battalion Hall in Queens, where FEMA staff and SBA customer service representatives are on hand to assist.  The address is 93-29 Queens Boulevard, Rego Park, NY 11374.

Registering is the first step to get disaster assistance. Homeowners, renters and business owners located within the two disaster-designated counties of Kings and Queens, who have damage from the August 8 storms may register online anytime at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday – Saturday. Individuals with speech or hearing impairments should call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.

After registering, applicants are encouraged to visit an SBA-FEMA Recovery Center. This is a convenient way to meet face-to-face with disaster specialists to get answers and obtain help in filling out an SBA low-interest loan package.

Low-interest loans from the SBA are the primary source of financial aid for homeowners, renters and business owners of all sizes to repair or rebuild from disaster-related damages. Homeowners and renters also may be eligible for housing grants. Two other SBA-FEMA centers are currently open Monday thru Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed on weekends.

·         QUEENS - SBA-FEMA Recovery Center in Jamaica, located at Greater Allen AME Cathedral of New York in the parking lot at 111-17 Merrick Boulevard. (between 111th Avenue and 111th Road) Jamaica, NY 11379. 

·         BROOKLYN: SBA-FEMA Recovery Center at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School; 552 59th Street (6th Avenue/Bay Ridge) Brooklyn (Sunset), NY 11220.

The deadline to apply has been extended to November 16, 2007.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, or economic status. Also, you cannot be denied assistance for reporting discrimination or abuse. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or contact your state Office of Equal Rights. If suspicious of any abuse of FEMA programs, please contact the fraud hotline at 1-800-323-8603.

###

FEMA-1724-DR-NY (PR034)
FEMA – Rebecca Morales – 703-399-0584            
SEMO – Don Maurer – 518-292-2312
SBA – Michael Lampton – 404-347-3771