Governor Bentley announced Friday that FEMA granted his request to extend the deadline to register for Federal Disaster Assistance, which means Franklin County residents impacted by the tornadoes in April will have more time to apply for disaster assistance.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency granted Alabama’s request for a 21-day extension for Individual Assistance, and the new registration deadline is July 18, 2011.

“I want survivors to understand the importance of registering with FEMA and filling out all necessary paperwork, including the SBA loan applications, which is not just for business owners, but also can assist homeowners and renters as well,” Governor Bentley said in a statement. “Not returning an SBA application closes the door for other federal assistance opportunities.”

The deadline to submit loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has also been extended through July 18.

While no one is required to take out an SBA loan, applications are a key part of the FEMA registration process, so it is important that these applications are returned as well.

If the loan is not approved, survivors may be referred to other programs for grants that can assist the homeowner or renter in replacing essential household items; it can also replace or repair damage vehicles or cover other serious disaster related needs.

“This three week extension provides Alabama Emergency Management Agency and FEMA additional opportunities to work with members of the community to encourage them to complete all necessary disaster documents,” Alabama EMA Director Art Faulkner said.

This extension will apply to all 43 counties declared for Individual Assistance.

Carol Hector-Harris, a public information officer with FEMA, said the FEMA workers in Franklin County are still seeing people who haven’t applied because they have insurance, they think their damage was too minor or they feel like their application will cheat someone else out of assistance.

“I can’t stress enough how important it is that every person who has damage from these storms apply for disaster assistance,” Hector-Harris said. “It won’t cheat anyone out of the assistance they might receive and if you don’t apply, you’ll never know if you could’ve gotten help.”

Disaster survivors in the counties designated for Individual Assistance may apply online anytime at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362 (FEMA) or (TTY) 800-462-7585 for those with speech and hearing disabilities.

For SBA applications, renters or homeowners may call SBA at 800-659-2955 or they can download the application from sba.gov.