The Economic Development Collaborative–Ventura County’s special services coordinator, Clare Briglio, has announced additional resources now available for businesses recovering from the impact of the Thomas Fire and subsequent floods and mudslides.
“New federal declarations have secured additional resources for those who have suffered personal and/or business injury as a result of the Thomas Fire and subsequent mudslides and floods,” explained Briglio. For direct in-person assistance in filing with FEMA or the SBA, please visit a Disaster Recovery Center in your area. In addition, EDC-VC has compiled an online list of resources at?http://edc-vc.com/disaster-recovery-services/.”
Personal injuries sustained during times like these can be life-altering and cause a multitude of issues down the line. If you feel like this could have been initially prevented, you could look into services such as Kuzyk Law or a firm that is closer to where you are living, to get the help that you need.
To access available federal fire and flood relief resources, people should follow this three-step process:
Step 1: Registration with FEMA-?Clients who have been impacted by the Thomas Fire and subsequent flood and are interested in government assistance should apply online at?DisasterAssistance.gov?or by phone at?1-800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open?7 a.m. to 10 p.m.?seven days a week.
Note: The filing deadline to return FEMA applications for property damage is?March 16, 2018. The deadline to return economic injury applications is?Oct. 15, 2018.
Step 2: Registration with the SBA for low-interest loans-?Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries. This includes Economic Injury Disaster?loans for businesses that may or may not have sustained any damage, but have experienced a downturn in business because of the disaster. The SBA customer service center is also available to answer questions at 1-800-659-2955. Applicants may also come in to a Local Recovery Center (LRC) for person-to-person assistance in completing their applications. For further information, visit SBA’s website at?www.sba.gov/disaster.
Step 3: Registration with EDD for unemployment benefits-??Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are now available for workers, business owners and self-employed individuals who lost their jobs or had their work hours substantially reduced as a result of the wildfires and associated flooding, mudslides and debris flows in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Those affected are encourages to apply online at https://eapply4ui.edd.ca.gov/, by calling 1-800-300-5616 (English) 1-800-326-8937 (Spanish) or by visiting a Local Recovery Center.
Local Recovery Centers (LRC)?- Two Disaster Recovery Centers are now open locally for personal and business assistance. Representatives from FEMA, SBA, OES and other agencies will be present to provide information and resources for economic and personal injury due to the Thomas Fire and subsequent floods. You may be given advice for professional attorneys you can visit for any personal injury sustained, such as the Attorneys at CWA Law Firm, who will professionally handle a case like this to achieve justice. Locations are as follows:
Santa Barbara? Calvary Chapel
1 N Calle Cesar Chavez #21
Monday-Friday 11-6:30
Saturday 10-2 pm
Ventura County Credit Union
6026 Telephone Rd
Monday-Wednesday 9-4pm
Thursday/Friday 9-5pm
Saturday 9-1 pm
EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Small Business Development Center, loan programs, manufacturing outreach and international trade program, or other services available to small businesses through EDC-VC, contact Bruce Stenslie at 384-1800 ext. 24 or [email protected]. Or visit www.edc-vc.com.
