HELP FOR QUAKE VICTIMS - Los Angeles Times
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Seven disaster application centers will be open in the quake damage area beginning Sunday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Wednesday, to help those with home, business or
personal property losses to file for federal, state or local assistance. An agency spokesman said offices will be “one-stop shopping centers” so that those seeking help will not have to seek
out the appropriate agencies on their own. Verne Paule said these centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. until further notice: Los Angeles: Bellevue Park Recreation Center, 826 Lucille
Ave.; Highland Park Recreation Center, 6150 Piedmont Ave.; Hollenbeck Recreation Center, 415 S. St. Louis St. Alhambra: Almansor Gymnasium, 800 S. Almansor St. Whittier: Whittier Quad Mall,
Laurel Avenue at Whittier Boulevard. Rosemead: Rosemead Community Center, 3936 N. Muscatel Ave. La Habra: La Habra Senior Citizens Center, 165 La Habra Blvd. Programs available include: Rent
subsidies for renters or homeowners needing shelter because of quake damage. Small Business Administration low-interest disaster loans. The maximum loan is $100,000 for a home, $20,000 to
replace lost personal property, or $500,000 for a quake-damaged business. A borrower must qualify and repay the loan. Individual loans and family grants. Administered by the state and
underwritten 75% by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, these are $5,000 grants for individuals who do not qualify for other assistance. Agricultural assistance. Administered by the
Farmers Home Administration, loans are limited to 80% of the production loss and to $500,000 per claim. Disaster unemployment assistance, unemployment insurance benefits administered by the
state Employment Development Department. Legal services and counseling in connection with quake-caused problems. Supported by the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Assn. Mental
health counseling. Provided by the National Institute of Mental Health with the assistance of state and local health agencies. Federal tax assistance. The Internal Revenue Service will
furnish counselors to help quake victims deduct uninsured casualty losses from current or previous year’s tax returns. Aid to the elderly. Social Security Administration personnel will help
senior citizens displaced by the quake redirect their Social Security checks if necessary, or to apply for disability, death and survival benefits. Volunteer agencies. The Red Cross,
Salvation Army and other non-government organizations will have representatives at the Disaster Application Centers to offer assistance. MORE TO READ