Update: FEMA, supported by PEMA, the Delaware County Department of Emergency Services, and Chadds Ford Township will open a Disaster Recovery Center at the Chadds Ford Township Building, located at 10 Ring Road, Chadds Ford, PA. Residents impacted by Hurricane IDA can sign up for FEMA Disaster Assistance in person at this location.
Dates and Hours:
Friday, Sept. 17: 2pm-7pm
Saturday, Sept, 18: 10am-5pm
Monday – Friday, Sept. 20-24: 10am-7pm
On Friday, September 10th, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that federal disaster assistance has been made available to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to supplement commonwealth and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by Hurricane Ida from August 31 to September 5, 2021.
Financial assistance is available for affected individuals and businesses in Delaware County, as well as in Bucks, Chester, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and York counties.
Federal assistance programs may include but are not limited to rental assistance, repair or replacement of housing to a safe, sanitary, and functional standard (not pre-disaster condition), funds for other needs (e.g., vehicles, clothing, appliances, etc.), and low-interest loans. Follow the below steps to start your recovery process and apply for assistance:
Step 1: Take photos of your damaged home and belongings.
Step 2: Make a list of damaged/lost items.
Step 3: If you have insurance, you must file a claim with your insurance company. If you do not have insurance, continue to Step 4.
Step 4: Gather and have ready the following information:
Social Security Number:
You, another adult member or minor child in your household must have a Social Security number. You or they must also be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien. If you don't have a Social Security number, read the article How do I apply for a new or replacement Social Security number card.
Insurance Information: types of coverage (e.g., homeowners, flood, automobile)
Damage Information: description of the damage and your property
Financial Information: total annual household income, before taxes, pre-disaster Contact Information: address/phone for damaged property and applicant
Direct Deposit Information (optional): FEMA may be able to deposit funds directly to your bank account (need bank name, type of account, routing and account #s)
Step 5: Apply for disaster assistance from FEMA using one of the below methods. The application deadline is Tuesday, November 9, 2021.
Online at www.disasterassistance.gov (Espanol: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/es)
Over the phone at 1-800-621-3362 / TTY 1-800-462-7585 (7 a.m. to 1 a.m. ET, 7 days a week)
Via the FEMA smartphone application: Google Play or Apple App Store
In-person at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) - location and other details to be announced soon
Step 6: You will be contacted by a FEMA inspector, who will schedule an appointment to visit your property to confirm your eligibility for assistance.
NOTE: FEMA inspectors come from all over the country using phones from various area codes. If you apply for assistance, be prepared to answer your phone when called, even if it is from a number that you do not recognize.
Step 7: If recommended by FEMA or if you believe you might be eligible, consider applying for a low-interest loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration (see the next section below for more information).
For additional information on the disaster declaration, visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4618
Supplemental Resources:
FEMA Disaster Assistance Sequence of Delivery Fact Sheet
FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Brochure
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA) DISASTER ASSISTANCE
In addition to the FEMA programs described above, low-interest disaster loans are available from the U.S. Small Business Administration for certain homeowners, renters, and business owners in Delaware County. These loans may cover losses not covered by insurance or FEMA, as well as business operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred. Available loan types include:
Business Physical Disaster Loans:
Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
Maximum individual loan amount: $2 million
Application deadline: November 9, 2021
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL):
Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
Maximum individual loan amount: $2 million
Application deadline: June 10, 2022
Home Disaster Loans:
Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.
Maximum individual loan amount: $200,000 for real estate/$40,000 for personal property
Application deadline: November 9, 2021
Interest rates are as low as 2.855% for businesses, 2.0% for non-profit organizations, and 1.563% for homeowners and renters (subject to SBA eligibility determination).
For a brief overview of the SBA application process, view the video on YouTube.
For complete program information and eligibility criteria, view the SBA's Disaster Loan Fact Sheet.
Apply for SBA assistance using one of the below methods:
Online at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela
Via mail, call 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for deaf/hard of hearing) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week, to request a paper application or download a copy at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela. Completed applications should be mailed to U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
In-person at a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) - location and other details to be announced soon
Questions? Call 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for deaf/hard of hearing) between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., seven days a week, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.