LOS ANGELES (CNS) - California private nonprofit organizations are reminded they have a month to apply for a federal disaster loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration for property damage caused by the Woolsey Fire.
Eligible private nonprofits of any size may apply for low-interest SBA federal disaster loans of up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. Private nonprofits that provide essential services of a governmental nature are eligible.
SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of making improvements that protect, prevent or minimize the same type of disaster damage from occurring in the future, said Tanya N. Garfield of the SBA's Disaster Field Operations Center-West.
In addition, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help eligible private nonprofits meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster's impact.
Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the private nonprofit suffered any property damage. Private nonprofits have until Sept. 11 to apply for an SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loan.
Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Applicants may also call SBA's Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.
Residents and businesses whose homes or property were damaged by the Woolsey Fire have until Jan. 31 to apply for aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and SBA.
Residents and business owners can apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov or in person at one of two Disaster Recovery Centers.
Those centers -- at the Malibu Courthouse, 23525 Civic Center Way, and in Agoura Hills at the Hilton Foundation Building, 30440 Agoura Road -- are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Applicants may also call FEMA at (800) 621-3362 between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Pacific time.
FEMA has approved 6,646 applications and more than $48.7 million in aid related to the Woolsey and Camp fires in Los Angeles, Ventura and Butte counties, according to the agency's website.
FEMA grants do not have to be repaid and are non-taxable. They do not affect eligibility for any other federal benefits.
In addition to dollars for home repairs, residents may be eligible for rental assistance and other benefits.
The California State Supplemental Grant Program offers additional benefits when an applicant reaches the maximum amount of FEMA assistance. FEMA will automatically forward applications to the state program when federal benefits are exhausted.
Residents and business owners, including renters, may also apply for aid from the U.S. Small Business Administration, which offers low-interest loans of up to $40,000 to replace personal property, including vehicles.
The 96,949-acre Woolsey Fire -- which broke out Nov. 8 in Ventura County and quickly spread into Los Angeles County -- killed three civilians, injured three firefighters, destroyed 1,643 structures and damaged 364 others. The blaze was 100 percent contained on Nov. 21.
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