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Dear Community Member,
Following the most recent round of storms, I wanted to provide an update on federal resources available and the work I’m doing to help our communities recover.
On April 3, President Biden approved a disaster declaration for Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, following a bipartisan letter I sent to the Administration with the full, bipartisan California Congressional Delegation. This is critical for families and communities in the 19th Congressional District working to recover and rebuild.
The Presidential Disaster Declaration triggers the release of federal funds to help individuals and communities recover from the severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides that began on February 21, 2023. This support will be coordinated through the Federal Emergency Disaster Administration (FEMA) and can be used for assistance to individuals and households as well as other emergency work.
Individuals in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties can apply with FEMA at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call FEMA’s disaster assistance phone number at 1-800-621-3362. Individual assistance includes funds for temporary housing, repair or replacement of homes, uninsured disaster-related expenses, and hazard mitigation, in addition to other critical services.
For further assistance or information, call my office at 831-424-2229.
Additionally, households and small businesses in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties can apply for disaster loans at https://disasterloanassistance.sba.gov/ela/s/. The SBA offers disaster assistance in the form of low interest loans to businesses, nonprofit organizations, homeowners, and renters located in regions affected by declared disasters. SBA also provides eligible small businesses and nonprofit organizations with working capital to help overcome the economic injury of a declared disaster. You do not need to be a small business to access SBA home and personal property loans.
As soon as Federal-State Disaster Recovery Centers open throughout the affected area, SBA will provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants. Additional information and details on the location of disaster recovery centers is available by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955.
This is an important step but by no means the end of our efforts. I continue working with federal, state, and local partners to get the support our communities need and I’m ready to help assist with any questions or federal issues you may have as we move forward.
If you are applying for federal disaster assistance, please complete this brief survey, and my office will reach out to provide help and guidance.
Thank you,
Jimmy Panetta
United States Representative
19th Congressional District, California
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