PRESS RELEASE			
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 9:15 P.M.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008


Disaster Recovery Center Expands Services in Mathews


A Disaster Recovery Center is set up at the old Wal-Mart Building at 4876 Highway 1 in Mathews. The center is open daily from 9:00 A.M. until 6:00 P.M.  Before arriving, all residents and business owners MUST register with FEMA by phone at 1-800-621-FEMA or online at www.FEMA.gov.

FEMA representatives are located at the Disaster Recovery Center to assist in the disaster recovery process and can speak to you about what type of aid and assistance is available to you. 

Representatives from the Small Business Administration (SBA) are on hand to assist in filling out disaster loan applications. If you have received a disaster loan application, you should complete and return it to the SBA, even if you are not sure if you will need or want the loan. If the SBA cannot approve your application, in most cases, they refer you to FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance Program for possible additional assistance. For more information, residents can call the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or by visiting the SBA website at www.SBA.gov.

The Louisiana Department of Labor also has a mobile unit on site to assist residents who have become unemployed due to the recent hurricanes. For more information, you can log on to www.LDOL.STATE.LA.us.