Do Not Wait For Insurance Settlement; SBA Urges Return of Applications

ATLANTA--(Business Wire)--
The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding victims in eligible Kentucky
counties they should not wait to settle with their insurance companies before
applying for disaster loan assistance. The SBA encourages victims of the tornado
and severe storms that hit Casey County on October 9, 2009 to return their
completed applications, even if they have not settled with their insurance
company. Waiting to file an SBA application could cause unnecessary delays in
receiving disaster assistance. The deadline to file an SBA loan application for
physical damage is December 28.

Homeowners, renters, non-profit organizations and businesses of all sizes in
Adair, Boyle, Casey, Lincoln, Marion, Pulaski, Russell and Taylor counties are
eligible to apply for physical disaster assistance.

"Returning a completed SBA disaster loan application is an important step in the
disaster recovery process," said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA Field Operations
Center East. "SBA does not need your insurance settlement information in order
to start the application process."

It is not necessary for victims to wait for a settlement before applying to the
SBA. If a victim does not know how much of their loss will be covered by
insurance or other sources, the SBA will consider making a loan for the total
loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance
proceeds to reduce or repay their SBA loan.

SBA`s customer service representatives are on hand at the Disaster Loan Outreach
Center to issue loan applications, answer questions about the SBA`s disaster
loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete
their applications. The Center location and hours of operation are:

Casey County
Old Casey County Courthouse
625 Campbellsville Street
Liberty, KY 42539

Open: Monday, November 9 through Thursday, November 12; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Closed: Wednesday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day
Closing: Thursday, November 12, 2009 at the close of business

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace
damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible up to
$40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property. Businesses
and non-profit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair
or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory,
and other business assets.

Interest rates are as low as 2.750 percent for homeowners and renters and 4
percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set
by the SBA and are based on each applicant`s financial condition.

For small businesses and most private non-profit organizations of all sizes, the
SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs
caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available
regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

Victims unable to visit the Center may obtain applications and program
information by calling the SBA`s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955
(1-800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired), Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.
until 9 p.m. EST or by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Business loan applications can be downloaded from the SBA Web site at
www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be mailed
to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center,
14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Victims may visit SBA`s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to
apply for disaster loans.

The deadline for physical loan applications is December 28, 2009; the deadline
for economic injury applications is July 29, 2010.

For more information about the SBA`s Disaster Loan Programs, visit our Web site
at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

Release Number: 10-077, KY 11922/11923

U.S. Small Business Administration
Michael Lampton, 404-331-0333

Copyright Business Wire 2009