LINCOLN, Neb. - After registering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), disaster survivors receive a letter concerning the status of their application. The letter may not be the final word on whether or how much disaster assistance an applicant will receive.

They also may receive a letter from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). It will explain the next action to take to complete the loan, or to contact FEMA for other potential assistance.

Many FEMA applicants will receive a disaster loan application from SBA, which should be returned as soon as possible so that their recovery process can continue. Applicants for disaster assistance may qualify for temporary housing or home repair grants from FEMA or qualify for an SBA disaster loan for home repairs.

The primary federal government source of disaster assistance is the SBA disaster housing loan, available for up to $200,000, of uncompensated physical damage, which may be enough to cover the full cost of repair or replacement.

Loss of essential personal property such as clothing, furniture, appliances and vehicles is handled differently. An SBA personal property disaster loan is the primary source for uninsured personal property losses. Amounts up to $40,000 of uncompensated loss are available.

Renters also are eligible for up to $40,000 in SBA loans to cover their uncompensated losses of personal property.

Applicants who do not qualify for an SBA loan may be referred back to FEMA's Other Needs Assistance program where an additional grant may be available.

It is important for applicants to understand that information they provide when completing an SBA disaster loan application is used in determining what categories of assistance are available for them. Even if the applicant doesn't intend to accept an SBA loan, the information in the application is needed to qualify them for FEMA grants.

Insurance coverage, or the lack of coverage, is another critical determinant in FEMA assistance. The federal government cannot pay for losses covered by insurance. One common reason that applicants receive letters from FEMA is to request further insurance information. It may be necessary to provide copies of any policies that are held.

But just because an applicant has insurance doesn't mean they won't also qualify for FEMA help. Their application will remain open for a year in case they discover that their insurance does not cover all of their loss.

Other common reasons for letters include insufficient proof of ownership or occupancy, lack of evidence that that property was the primary residence at the time of the disaster or failure to sign essential documents.

SBA applicants may receive a letter notifying them of loan withdrawal or decline. They should read the letter carefully because it contains details needed to continue processing or appeal a decline.

If any information in a letter from FEMA or the SBA is unclear, the recipient should immediately call the appropriate helpline for an explanation. The FEMA helpline is 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. SBA's Customer Service Center is 800-659-2955.

FEMA and SBA representatives also will be found at Disaster Recovery Centers. They are usually able to explain the current status of a person's application.