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Two Disaster Recovery Centers in Chicago Have Childcare This Week

AURORA, Ill. – Two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are offering childcare services for visitors seeking in-person information on FEMA assistance for the recent flooding that took place from April 16 to May 5.

Volunteers from the Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief will be providing the free childcare at the DRC in North Park Village and in South Chicago from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. through this Friday, June 7.

The Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief is a FEMA voluntary partner agency that has been providing much needed assistance to survivors throughout the state by cleaning out and removing debris from damaged homes. Providing childcare at the DRCs is another way the organization is supporting storm survivors.

It is not necessary to visit a DRC to receive FEMA assistance, but for those who have additional questions or would like more information on other programs, it is an additional option. Individuals can register online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. If you use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS), call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CDT seven days a week until further notice.

The DRC locations are:

North Park Village

5801 N. Pulaski, Bldg. C

Chicago, IL 60646

Hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily

Royal Savings Bank

9226 S. Commercial Ave.

Second Floor

Chicago, IL 60617

Hours: 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily

(Bank parking is free but limited. Additional free parking is at 9137 S. Exchange Ave.)

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, facebook.com/fema, and youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Photo available for download: http://www.fema.gov/photolibrary/photo_details.do?id=66182

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Two Disaster Recovery Centers in Chicago Have Childcare This Week

FEMA Registration Deadline Two Weeks Away for West, Texas Plant Explosion Survivors

AUSTIN, Texas –Homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damages from the April 17 fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas have two weeks left to register for disaster assistance from the state and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The registration deadline for FEMA disaster assistance is June 18.

“We’re urging residents with explosion-related damages to apply for FEMA assistance before June 18 and keep us posted of any insurance settlements they may receive,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Kevin L. Hannes of FEMA. “This allows us to continue processing their registrations for any unmet needs.”

A U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) is open at the POINTWEST Bank located at 210 N. Roberts Rd in West, Texas. The DLOC hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday until further notice. At the DLOC, SBA representatives will answer questions, explain the application process, help individuals and businesses apply for low-interest disaster loans and close their approved disaster loans. FEMA Individual Assistance specialists are available at the DLOC to answer questions and provide information on the types of disaster assistance available from FEMA.

“Residents are encouraged to visit the DLOC or they may contact our FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 with any specific questions or concerns,” said Hannes. “We remain committed to helping West survivors until they have received all the state and federal assistance they are eligible for and we will be here as long as needed.”

SBA’s Disaster Assistance will continue to be available beyond June 18. The filing deadline to return SBA applications for property damage is July 1, 2013. The deadline to return economic injury applications is February 3, 2014.

Survivors should register now at www.disasterassistance.gov, via smartphone at m.fema.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. FEMA phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information about SBA’s Disaster Assistance, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659 2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov. Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (800) 877 8339. Applicants may also apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

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FEMA Registration Deadline Two Weeks Away for West, Texas Plant Explosion Survivors

Renters with Flood Damage May Be Eligible for FEMA Help

AURORA, Ill. – Renters who had damage from the severe storms and flooding between April 16 and May 5 may be eligible for FEMA disaster assistance.

Homeownership is NOT a requirement for FEMA help.

Under the FEMA Housing Assistance program, both homeowners and renters who are displaced from their homes may be eligible for rental assistance grants. Immediate hotel/motel lodging may be covered, as well as longer term rental while the original home or rented quarters is repaired, or they move into replacement housing.

Both renters and homeowners also may qualify for a grant under the FEMA Other Needs Assistance program for essential personal property and to meet medical, dental, funeral and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state or charitable-aid programs.

Renters and homeowners may qualify for a low-interest, long-term disaster assistance loan of up to $40,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to replace lost or damaged personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses. Homeowners also may qualify for loans of up to $200,000 for damages to their home.

It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to register with FEMA. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116

The deadline to register for FEMA disaster assistance is Tuesday, July 9.

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Renters with Flood Damage May Be Eligible for FEMA Help

Myths and Facts about FEMA Disaster Assistance Available for Oklahoma Tornado Survivors

• MYTH: There’s no easy way to get true, reliable information about FEMA’s disaster assistance programs.
FACT: Straight answers and plain facts are available from the disaster assistance program experts on FEMA’s Help Line. Call 1-800-621-3362 or TTY 1-800-462-7585 to learn about disaster assistance programs and to register for aid.

• MYTH: It’s hard to register for FEMA disaster assistance.
FACT: There are three ways to register for disaster assistance. Call 1-800-621-3362; TTY 1-800-462-7585; online, visit www.disasterassistance.gov or go to m.fema.gov via web-enabled phone. Users of 711-Relay or Video Relay Services should call 1-800-621-3362.
o Oklahoma residents who live in counties designated for federal assistance — Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma and Pottawatomie — are urged to register with FEMA as soon as possible.

• MYTH: It takes a long time for disaster aid to reach survivors.
FACT: FEMA already has Individual Assistance specialists on the ground in Oklahoma. They will continue to process assistance for eligible survivors as applications are received.

• MYTH: Survivors can’t register for FEMA assistance if they have insurance.
FACT: Survivors may be eligible for FEMA disaster aid for their uninsured and underinsured losses and damage.

• MYTH: Renters can’t get FEMA aid.
FACT: Renters whose homes were made unlivable by a disaster may be eligible for FEMA disaster grants, including rental assistance and other disaster-related needs.

• MYTH: When survivors register, they immediately qualify and receive payments from FEMA.
FACT: After survivors register, their completed applications are reviewed, and an inspector may call to schedule an inspection at their home. If survivors are eligible for assistance, they should receive a U.S. Treasury/State check or notification of a direct deposit to their bank accounts. Other types of assistance may be provided later, based on specific eligibility and need.

• MYTH: If you receive FEMA assistance, it could reduce your social security benefit.
FACT: FEMA assistance will not affect your social security payments.

• MYTH: Only businesses can get low-interest disaster loans from SBA.
FACT: SBA provides low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes (including landlords) and private nonprofit organizations for disaster damages not fully covered by insurance or other compensation.

• MYTH: Immigrants do not qualify for federal assistance.
FACT: It’s true that applicants must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or a qualified alien to be eligible for FEMA assistants. However, assistance may be available if someone registers on behalf of a child in the home who is a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien under 18.

• MYTH: Receiving a letter from FEMA stating the applicant is not eligible means the person will not get any assistance.
FACT: Receiving such a letter does not necessarily mean an applicant is not eligible for disaster aid, even when the letter states “ineligible” or “incomplete.” It can be an indication that further information is needed, or that the applicant’s insurance claim needs to be settled first before disaster aid can be granted.
For more information on Oklahoma disaster recovery, click http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4117 or visit the OEM site at www.oem.ok.gov. The fema.gov website has a link to a Rumor Control Page, which clarifies disaster-related rumors.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY call 800-462-7585.
The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) prepares for, responds to, recovers from and mitigates against emergencies and disasters. The department delivers service to Oklahoma cities, towns and counties through a network of more than 350 local emergency managers.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.
SBA is the federal government’s primary source of funding for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and private non-profit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured and uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants may call 800-659-2955 (TTY 800-877-8339).

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Myths and Facts about FEMA Disaster Assistance Available for Oklahoma Tornado Survivors

An SBA Disaster Assistance Loan Application is Key to Some FEMA Grants

AURORA, IL – FEMA disaster assistance applicants who do not complete and submit the companion U.S. Small Business Administration disaster assistance loan application could be throwing money away.

No FEMA applicant is required to accept an SBA disaster assistance loan. However, the SBA loan application provides financial information necessary to determine whether to offer a low interest loan or refer the applicant back to FEMA for possible additional grant assistance.

Common mistakes made by FEMA applicants are assuming that SBA packets are only for businesses or ignoring the application because they do not want a loan. Failure to submit a completed SBA disaster assistance loan application could prevent a survivor from receiving some types of FEMA grants.

SBA loans are an affordable means to pay for up to 100 percent of uninsured disaster-related losses.

If a disaster survivor does not qualify for a low-interest loan, FEMA may be able to offer them additional disaster grants that help reimburse for lost personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

Survivors are not required to complete an SBA disaster assistance loan application to qualify for FEMA grants for medical, dental and funeral expenses.

Help is available to complete the SBA application. Disaster survivors can call the SBA Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or TTY at 800-877-8339 or go to one of FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers to meet with an SBA representative. Survivors also can apply online using the electronic disaster loan applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Don’t throw away money. Fill out the SBA application and return as soon as possible.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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An SBA Disaster Assistance Loan Application is Key to Some FEMA Grants

FEMA’s Specialists Help Macomb and Mason County Survivors Register

AURORA, Ill. – FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews will travel to McDonough and Mason counties to meet with survivors of the April 16 – May 5 flooding to answer questions and help them register for FEMA assistance.

The dates and locations are:

McDonough County Health Department

505 E. Jackson St.

Macomb, IL 61455

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, June 3, through Saturday, June 8.

Mason County

Bath Village Offices

205 E. First St.

Bath, IL 62617

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, June 3, through Thursday, June 6.

DSA crew members will answer questions on registration, hand out flyers in several languages, assist those with damages to register for FEMA assistance and provide status updates to those who have registered. DSA Crew members, who carry federal identification, also will offer residents the opportunity to use a tablet computer to register, or, if asked, enter the data on behalf of the applicant.

FEMA mitigation specialists also will be available to provide information on how to repair or rebuild homes to limit future storm or flood damage.

Survivors also can use personal computers or phones to register. Call 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1-800-462-7585), visit DisasterAssistance.gov or use a mobile device at m.fema.gov. Information also is available by visiting the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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FEMA’s Specialists Help Macomb and Mason County Survivors Register

FEMA Specialists Offer Registration Assistance in Many Languages

AURORA, Ill. – Illinois residents affected by the severe storms and flooding can get help to register for federal disaster assistance in their native language.

Bilingual and multilingual specialists with the FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams (DSATs) began canvassing neighborhoods shortly after the presidential disaster declaration to help American Sign Language (ASL) and non-English speakers understand the registration process.

Fourteen languages, other than English, are being used to communicate assistance information to those who had damages from the severe storms and flooding between April 16 and May 5: Arabic, Chinese, German, Greek, Hindi, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu and Vietnamese. More languages will be added as the need arises. FEMA also has specialists who are fluent in ASL.

FEMA has a “Help After a Disaster” guide available in many languages and alternative formats, including large print and Braille. The brochure, which can be accessed at www.fema.gov/help-after-disaster, explains the FEMA Individual and Households Program and provides guidance on applying for assistance.

FEMA specialists provide information to multilingual media outlets and community groups across the affected areas to get the word out to residents whose primary language is not English.

“One of the main goals during a disaster recovery effort is to get the message out to everyone about the many ways FEMA can help eligible survivors,” said Federal Coordinating Officer W. Michael Moore. “That means bridging all possible communication barriers.”

Multilingual phone operators are available to help non-English speaking survivors register for disaster aid and to answer questions. After dialing the FEMA helpline, 800-621-3362, or (TTY) 800-462-7585, callers should choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages. Those who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

FEMA Specialists Offer Registration Assistance in Many Languages

Eight Additional Illinois Counties Added to Disaster Declaration

AURORA, Ill. – Illinois residents in eight additional counties who were affected by the severe storms and flooding between April 16 and May 5 are now eligible to register for federal disaster assistance.

FEMA approved Governor Pat Quinn’s request to add Brown, Calhoun, Clark, Douglas, Henry, Pike, Whiteside and Winnebago counties to the major disaster declaration issued May 10.

This brings the total to 33 counties in the Illinois disaster declaration for severe storms and flooding between April 16 and May 5. Previous counties designated under the declaration are

Bureau, Cook, Crawford, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Kane, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Peoria, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Will and Woodford.

Individual Assistance for homeowners and renters can include grants to help pay for temporary rental assistance, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs. Also, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance.

It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to register with FEMA. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information, visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116

The deadline to register for FEMA disaster assistance is Tuesday, July 9.

SBA low-interest disaster loans may be available for homeowners, renters, businesses and private non-profit organizations of all sizes to repair or replace real estate, contents and/or personal property damaged in the severe storms and flooding. Information and assistance from SBA is available at 1-800-659-2955, (TTY) 1-800-877-8339 or online at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

Eight Additional Illinois Counties Added to Disaster Declaration

Federal Disaster Aid to Illinois Residents Tops $68 Million

AURORA, Ill. – Federal assistance in Illinois has reached more than $68 million, distributed among 24,000 individuals and households, since a major disaster was declared in the state May 10.

The latest summary of federal assistance to individuals and households that suffered losses due to the severe storms and flooding between April 16 and May 5 includes:

More than $68.3 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households;
Of that amount, more than $60 million approved for housing assistance, including temporary rental assistance, home repair costs and assistance toward replacing destroyed homes;
More than $8 million approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and damaged personal possessions;
More than 33,000 home inspections completed to confirm disaster damage;
Nearly $2 million in loans to homeowners, renters or business owners has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration; and
More than 1,560 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) operated jointly by FEMA and the state of Illinois.

Fourteen languages, other than English, are being used to communicate assistance information to those affected by the severe storms and flooding: Arabic, Chinese, German, Greek, Hindi, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Tagalog, Urdu and Vietnamese. FEMA also has specialists who are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL).

Eleven counties in Illinois were included in the initial declaration, but on May 22, an additional 14 counties were added for individual assistance.

Residents of 25 counties in the major disaster declaration can now register for federal assistance. The counties include Bureau, Cook, Crawford, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Kane, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Peoria, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Will and Woodford.

It is not necessary to visit a DRC to register with FEMA. Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information visit the Illinois Disaster website
www.fema.gov/disaster/4116

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Federal Disaster Aid to Illinois Residents Tops $68 Million

LaSalle County Disaster Recovery Center to Close

AURORA, Ill. – The state/federal Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in LaSalle County will close permanently at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 4.

It is not necessary to visit a DRC to register with FEMA. Although the center will close, Illinois survivors of the mid-April storms and flooding can continue to register by phone or online through July 9.

The center that is closing is located at:

LaSalle County

Marseilles Fire Department

205 Lincoln St.

Marseilles, IL 61341

Individuals can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants also may call 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 800-621-3362. For more information visit the Illinois Disaster website www.fema.gov/disaster/4116 .

Be sure to contact FEMA if you change your mailing address, phone number or e-mail address, receive an insurance settlement or discover additional damage.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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LaSalle County Disaster Recovery Center to Close

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