Types of Assistance - Criteria and Document Requirements

Federal disaster assistance can be provided through the Stafford Act when the President declares a major disaster. In certain cases the United States Small Business Administration (USSBA) can declare a disaster under its own authority. For fishery disasters, assistance is provided through the Magnuson-Stevens Act. However, Fishery Disasters are not addressed in this document. For more information on Fishery Disasters, please contact John Vollmer, 253-512-7076.

  • Presidential Declaration of a Major Disaster

    Assistance provided under the Stafford Act includes minimal assistance for housing repairs, housing replacement, and rental assistance. Additionally, help is available for medical, dental, and funeral expenses, vehicle repair/replacement, transportation, and certain other personal property losses.

In lieu of a major disaster declaration by the President the USSBA has two programs that could help a community: an SBA Physical Loss Disaster Loan or an Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program.

  • SBA Physical Loss Disaster Loans

    This loan program provides low interest loans to eligible individuals and businesses that have incurred disaster damage. Loans are intended to help disaster victims’ repair or replace damaged property to its pre-disaster condition.

  • SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)

    EIDL provides low-interest loans to eligible small businesses that have suffered substantial economic injury, regardless of physical damage. It provides operating expenses until a business recovers.

Both SBA disaster loan programs are available as part of a Presidential disaster declaration.

Please Note: When completing any of the forms it is important that you provide all the information required by the form. Leaving a single item blank can render the information useless. And, please do not modify the forms. Remember, that federal disaster assistance addresses uninsured and underinsured losses. Consequently, insurance information is critical in determining if federal disaster assistance is required. Likewise, EMD needs to know an ESTIMATED (best guess) cost to repair, and EMD needs to know the estimated fair replacement value or pre-disaster fair market value of the damaged property, whichever is lower in the event a decision is made to request an SBA physical Disaster Loan Program in lieu of a Major Disaster Declaration.

One-on-one instruction is available by appointment. If you would like Human Services to come to your city or county office and provide instruction, please call John Vollmer at 253-512-7076 and make an appointment.

Contact:

For more information please contact John Vollmer, Human Services Manager, at 253-512-7076.