| DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER/LOCAL ASSISTANCE CENTER TO OPEN IN SANTA BARBARA Providing Federal, State & Local Resources to Residents Impact by January 2023 Storm |
 A Disaster Recovery Center (DRC)/Local Assistance Center (LAC) will be opening at Direct Relief in Santa Barbara on Saturday, January 28 at 12 p.m. to provide resources to residents who were impacted by the January 2023 Storms. South County Center:Regular Hours: 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.Location: Direct Relief , 6100 Wallace Becknell Rd. Santa Barbara, CA 93117 In addition, the City of Santa Barbara will continue to provide free, in-person, assistance, as well. Appointments can be made by calling (805) 962-7653 or by visiting either Central Library or Eastside Library or visiting SantaBarbara/stormrecovery Following Saturday, the DRC/LAC will be open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for a minimum of two weeks. Residents can get help applying for federal assistance and disaster loans, update applications and learn about other resources that are available. Spanish, ASL and Mixteco interpreter services will be present. The centers are a one-stop shop where disaster survivors can get information and advice about community, state and federal agencies and other available assistance. They are also accessible to people with disabilities and those with access and functional needs. The centers, are staffed with not only local staff but trained FEMA personnel as well as representatives from California state agencies and the U.S. Small Business Administration. These specialists can clarify information you have received from FEMA or other agencies; they can explain the rental assistance available to homeowners and renters; and they can fax your requested documents to a FEMA processing center and scan or copy new information or documents needed for case files. SBA representatives are on hand to provide program information and explain how to apply for SBA’s low-interest disaster loans for businesses, private non-profits, homeowners and renters. State representatives are also available to aid in state related questions ranging from Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to Department of Insurance and Employment Development Department (EDD). The DRC/LAC also provides linkage to local resources including counseling and emotional support, local resources to aid in rebuilding, permitting, hazardous materials clean-up, housing assistance, loss of business or employment, basic health and human services, agricultural losses and tax accessor. County and city staff will be available to answer questions as well as provide resources. Several local non-profits will also be present to help community members impacted by the January 2023 Storms. |
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