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Small Business Outreach
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 Click here to download the PDF file
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Important information, phone numbers, and Web sites for New York businesses affected by the events of September 11, 2001.
I. A Message from Ken Chenault
II. Applying for Federal Relief
III. Business Services and Information
a. General Business Assistance & Building Access
b. Financial Assistance
c. Insurance Advice
d. Real Estate
e. Tax Advice
f. Unemployment/ Job Search
g. Legal Advice
h. Medical Assistance
i. Crisis Counseling
j. Transportation Assistance and Information
k. Utility and Communication Information
IV. American Express Customer Information
I. A Message from Ken Chenault
We have all been deeply affected by the tragic events of September 11th. Our hearts and prayers go out to those who mourn the loss of family and friends.
Like so many in our city, country and around the world, we will forever be indebted to those who have given so much in responding to this crisis. We will never forget the resolve New Yorkers have shown. And we have no doubt, New York will recover. We hope the information gathered here is a beginning.
Directly or indirectly, so many of our small business customers and merchants in New York have been affected by the tragedy. From questions about federal aid to insurance problems to the need for office space, we’re finding that many businesses may not know where to turn for answers. Over the past week, we put together this guide to help give you those answers. The guide is a work in progress that we will continue to update.
At American Express, we’ve always realized how the courage, determination and entrepreneurial spirit of business owners very much epitomize the American spirit. We’ve never taken more pride in being able to help you than now—and in the weeks and months to come.
Kenneth I. Chenault
Chairman and CEO
American Express Company
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II. Federal & Government Relief
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is coordinating the federal relief effort. The U.S Small Business Administration (SBA) is working in partnership with FEMA. They will provide low-interest , long-term loans to repair or replace uninsured or underinsured losses. Businesses must begin the application process by registering with FEMA by calling 1-800-462-9029, or 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing impaired. The deadline for applying is November 10, 2001.
You can also visit the FEMA/ NY State /NYC - Disaster Assistance Service Center in Downtown Manhattan- 141 Worth Street ( at Centre Street, former DMV location).
Hours: Monday to Friday , 10 am to 8 pm
Saturday to Sunday , 10 am to 2 pm (dates and hours of operations are subject to change)
Call the FEMA Help line for current information at 1-800-525-0321.
The Information you will need to bring includes:
- The street address of your damaged
property
- Your current mailing address and a
telephone number where you can be reached if you have been forced
to relocate
- Your Social Security Number
- The gross income of your business
- Information on the type of insurance coverage you have
There are two types of SBA loans:
Business Physical Disaster Loans for Small Businesses
- Loans to repair/ replace disaster damages to property owned by the business, including real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory/ supplies. Businesses of any size may be eligible. Non-profit organizations may also be eligible. Deadline for applying is June 6, 2002.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for Small Businesses
- Loans for working capital to assist small
businesses through the disaster recover periods. These loans cover
operating expenses the business could have afforded to pay if the
disaster had not occurred.
- For more information, visit the Small Business Association or call 1-800-659-2955.
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III. Business Services and Information
Click here to see a list of organizations providing help to affected businesses, the type of assistance each of them has offered, and their contact information.
American Express has assembled a list of organizations that are providing help to businesses affected
by the events of September 11th. You can also see the type of assistance each has
offered, and its contact information. Click on a link to go right to the type of assistance you
seek.
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IV. American Express Small Business Customers
This event may have caused a variety of disruptions to your business from simple mail delivery to financial shortfalls. The American Express Web site and phone numbers below may provide some assistance with your American Express Account and assist you in financial recovery.
Accessing Your Card Account
- Our Card services remain uninterrupted. You can always check your account information and/or pay your bill click Access Your Account.
- To pay your bill by phone call 1-800-472-9297, or to pay your bill in person, visit an American Express Travel Office. Click here for a listing of Manhattan locations
- To change your billing address or telephone number and for all other inquiries call 1-800-492-3344 or the number on the back of the Corporate Card.
Accessing Financing
- Your best source for low- interest, long-term loan assistance at this time is probably the U.S Small Business Administration (See "Applying for Federal Relief section II"). However, if you do not qualify or need additional financing, the American Express financial services listed below can be a viable option.
Small Business Loans
- As an American Express customer, the application process for a Small Business Loan is short. And once approved access to funds is quick. You may borrow from $10,000 to $50,000 , and repayment terms are flexible.
To learn more or apply, call 1-800-403-1288.
Business Credit Line
- To cover unexpected shortages of cash flow, our line of credit allows you to borrow as needed and may payments over time. You can access your Business Credit Line with checks or your Business Credit Line Card.
To learn more or apply, call 1-888-439-3788.
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Assistance for Our Merchants
Authorization and Submission Issues
- The American Express authorization center has not been impacted. However, businesses with disrupted phone service might experience problems with authorizations or submissions. Businesses should verify with their phone company that their service is working properly.
- To obtain voice authorization if point-of-sale terminal authorization is not available, call 1-800-528-2121. The voice authorization fees will be waived for merchants in the impacted zip codes through October 31, 2001.
- Businesses with an American Express terminal who are unable to connect for authorizations or submissions, call 1-800-851-5948.
Payment Issues
- The American Express payment system has not been impacted. To convert from check payments to Automatic Clearing House (ACH) deposits directly into your bank account, call 1-800-528-5200.
Financial Reconciliation Reports and Inquiry/Ticket Retrievals
- If you have not received Reconciliation Reports and/or Inquiries, please contact the postal service at 212-967-8585 to determine if your mail is being held. You may avoid delays by receiving your Reconciliation Reports and Inquiries online by enroll in Online Merchant Services or calling 1-800-528-5200.
- If you are using SE Workstation, your
Reconciliation Reports and Inquiries should be available. Due to
the increase in volume you may experience some busy signals. We
apologize for any delay and are in the process of expanding the
number of ports to accommodate the increases. We suggest that you
attempt to retrieve your files early in the morning or after
business hours if possible.
- For all other inquiries please call 1-800-528-5200.
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We would like to thank our Everyday Savings partner FedEx for their support of New York City businesses. For additional copies of the guide, please stop by one of the following FedEx World Service Centers listed below:
55 Water Street
229 West Fourth Street
55 Broadway
100 Williams Street
70 Spring Street
110 Wall Street
250 East Houston Street
40 Broad Street
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