Alabama Small Business Oil Spill Recovery Resources
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Alabama Small Business Oil Spill Recovery Resources July 2010 Table of Contents 1. Alabama Small Business Development Centers……………………………………. 2 2. Baldwin EDA and Faulkner Regional Initiative……………………………………… 3 3. BP Claims Overview……………………………..………………………................. 4 3.1 BP Claims Offices..…………………………………………………………...6 3.2 BP Claims FAQ’s…………...…………………………………………….. 7 3.3 BP Community Outreach Centers……………………................................... 9 3.4 BP Important Numbers..……………………………………………………. 10 4. U.S. Coast Guard Claims-NPFC Overview…………………………………………... 11 4.1 NPFC Claims FAQ’s………………………………………………………... 14 5. SBA Disaster Assistance…...………………………………………………………… 16 5.1 SBA Business Recovery Centrs…………………………………………….. 16 5.2 SBA EIDL Details………………………………………………………......... 17 5.3 SBA EIDL Application……………………………………………………… 18 5.4 SBA Disaster Loan FAQ’s…………………………………………………… 20 6. Unemployment………………………….……………………………………………. 28 6.1 Locating Oil Spill Jobs..………………………………………….................. 28 7. Taxes....……………………………........................................................................... 29 7.1 IRS-Federal Taxes……………...……………………………………………. 29 7.2 Tax Payer Advocates……………………………………………………….. 29 7.3 IRS FAQ’s………...………………………………………………………… 30 7.4 Alabama Department of Revenue FAQ’s………………………………….. 33 8. General Oil Spill Related Information….……………………………………............. 34 8.1 Federal Fisheries….………………………………………………………… 34 8.2 Beach Statuses………………………………………………………………. 35 8.3 Port Information……………………………………………………………... 35 8.4 Unified Command…………………………………………………………… 35 8.5 Vessels of Opportunity………………………………………………………. 35 8.6 Volunteering…………………………………………………………………. 36 8.7 Reporting an Incident………………………………………………………… 37 8.8 Miscellaneous Resources........………………………………………………. 38 9. Contacts and Directories……………………………………………………………… 39 9.1 Media Contacts…………………………………………………………….. 39 9.2 Legislature Contacts………………………………………………………… 41 9.3 Local Financial Advisors/Accountants………………………………………. 42 9.4 Chambers and City Contacts……………………….……………………….. 42 9.5 Department of the Interior…………………………………………………… 43 9.6 U.S. Coast Guard……………………………………………………………. 44 10. County Statistics……………………………………………………………………… 45 10.1 Mobile County………………………………………………………………. 45 10.2 Escambia County……………………………………………………………. 46 10.3 Baldwin County……………………………………………………………… 47 10.4 Covington County……………………………………………………………. 48 10.5 Geneva County………………………………………………………………. 49 10.6 Washington County………………………………………………………….. 50 10.7 Clarke County………………………………………………………………. 51 10.8 Monroe County………………………………………………………….. 52 1. Alabama Small Business Development Centers Business owners adversely affected by the recent Deepwater BP Oil Spill can apply for SBA disaster loan payment deferrals and SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), which cover economic damages to their businesses. Businesses can receive disaster loan assistance and confidential business consulting at no cost to the owner at ASBDC Locations throughout Alabama. Contact the ASBDC at 1-877-825-7232 for additional assistance. • Applying for low-interest SBA disaster loans, economic damages to their businesses For more information about federal diaster loans visit www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. You can apply online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. • Cash flow projections for disaster loan packages and to determine if your business will have a positive cash flow • Assessing business economic injury • Determining other sources of financial assistance besides the SBA Disaster Loan program • Evaluating the financial strength of your business • Reviewing your options before you make a final decision on your business Companies in Mobile, Baldwin, Washington, and Escambia counties should contact: University of South Alabama SBDC Mr. Thomas Tucker, Director 307 University Blvd.8 College of Business, MCOB Room 118 Mobile, AL 36688 251-460-6004 www.southalabama.edu/sbdc Companies in Covington and Geneva counties should contact: Troy University SBDC Ms. Sandra Lucas, Director 100 Industrial Blvd. Troy, AL 36081 334-674-2425 cibed.troy.edu/sbdc Companies in Clarke County should contact: University of West Alabama SBDC Mr. Donald Mills, Director Guy Hunt Technical Complex, R122 Station 35Livingston, AL 35470 205-652-3665 www.sbdc.uwa.edu 2 2. Baldwin EDA and Faulkner Regional Initiative Gulf Coast Business Support Center Faulkner State Community College 3301 Gulf Shores Parkway, Room 105 Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Phone 251-968-3118 www.gulfcoastbsc.com Contact: Ms. Jeannette Harris E-mail: [email protected] Ed Bushaw, Gulf Shores Campus Director E-mail: [email protected] SBA Disaster Loan contact at BSC location: Sandra Faubert 404-695-6667 SBA Disaster Team Locations and Contacts Baldwin County Harry Roberts Community Center 300 East 16th Street Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Regional Manager Grady Billinglea Phone 404-387-1680 Loan officers Norm Dault 404-387-3400 Hector Nieves 404-909-0725 Bill Hebbard 404-895-7353 Mobile County Bayou La Batre Community Center 12745 Padgett Switch Road Irvington, AL 36544 Wendall Harrington 404-695-3589 3 3. BP Claims Overview BP Claims Number 1-800-440-0858 24 Hours 7 Day a Week Claims Process WHO: Private individuals, businesses, and government entities may file claims. WHAT: You may be eligible for compensation for loss of income (including wages, and impacted private business—fishing, rental property, tourism business, etc.) and property damage or loss. Although claims for bodily injury are not compensable under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, BP is also committed to evaluating each claim for bodily injury submitted through the claims process on a case-by-case basis. HOW: Call BP Claims Line at 1-800-440-0858 to be assigned a claim number—this is the required 1st step. The line is toll-free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Claims can also be filed online at www.bp.com/claims or in person at one of the 5 BP claims centers listed below. QUESTIONS: If you have any questions about submitting a claim, you may call the BP Claims Line and speak with an operator or visit one of the 5 claim centers. NEXT: Each claim will be assigned to a claims rep who will contact you to ask for additional information regarding your claim. You must have a claim in the system and a claim number to receive compensation. Claimants should file one claim. They can report different types of damages on the same form with the same claim number. Multiple claim numbers will delay the review of the claim. Claim Documents Examples: Business Consult with a financial advisor if applicable If you do not have a financial advisor you can contact your local Chamber of Commerce to find one Business License Number Description of the business Description of how business was impacted by the incident Tax returns Historical monthly P&L detailing revenue and expenses Current monthly P&L Loss calculation (historical revenue and current revenue Any other documentation you can provide to substantiate your loss Individual W-2 1099 Description of how you were impacted by the incident Loss Calculation (historical wage information and current wage information) Employer Name Letter from employer indicating employee was let go d ue to the incident (if applicable) Any other documentation to substantiate your loss 4 Claims Number Staffing ESIS (3rdParty Vendor) mans Hotline ESIS Local Claims Representative in Houma and Theodore, AL. ESIS®, Inc. (ESIS) is currently working at BP's direction to administer claims associated with the Deepwater Horizon incident. ESIS is processing claims according to BP's guidelines as overseen by the U.S. Coast Guard in compliance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. To date, ESIS has more than 700 claims professionals in 32 field offices in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. ESIS uses licensed claims professionals where required. Claims Payment Within 5 business days once approved, if less than $5,000 BP Claims Online The Online Forms claim is available in three languages: English https://www.bp.com/secure/iframe.do?categoryId=9033722&contentId=7062138 Vietnamese https://www.bp.com/secure/iframe.do?categoryId=9033799&contentId=7062420 Spanish https://www.bp.com/secure/iframe.do?categoryId=9033798&contentId=7062408 The toll-free number for the BP claims line is 1-800-440-0858. The line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personnel at the Claims Line will provide each caller with information on how to submit a claim. Each claim will be assigned to an adjuster and the claim will promptly be investigated and evaluated. Larger and more complex claims may require additional investigation and documentation prior to evaluation and resolution. BP should pay resolved claims promptly. Specific questions on claims data and guidelines should be addressed to the BP Claims Press Office at either (281) 366-6965 or (281) 366-0265. All claims regardless of amount should be routed through the Claims line for assignment of Claim Number Claims will be tracked so status can be provided ESIS provides Weekly Claim Summaries to BP Finance Section Chief ESIS has delegated authority to pay claims below $500 with supporting documentation Claims between $501 and $5,000 must be decided by BP Finance Section Leader Claims above $5,000 must be routed through BP Legal Payments should reach claimants within 5 business days when resolved Those who have already pursued the BP claims process and are not satisfied with BP’s resolution, can call the Coast Guard at (800) 280-7118. No person asserting a claim or