Federal Tornado Assistance to Illinois Tops $21 Million

SPRINGFIELD, IL – FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration report federal disaster assistance to Illinois tornado survivors affected by the November storms has surpassed $21 million. 

In the two months since the Nov. 26 federal disaster declaration, FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program has approved more than $2.5 million in grants to Illinois homeowners and renters for home repairs, rental assistance and grants to replace lost personal items.  FEMA grants continue to be approved and assistance continues to flow to Illinois residents.

The SBA reports more than $18.7 million in low-interest disaster loans has been approved to help start the Illinois re-building process.

SBA disaster loans are still available to homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes in Illinois.  Failure to return the SBA loan application may stop further FEMA grants for some applicants. 

The deadline to register with FEMA for possible grants and to return SBA loan applications is Monday, Feb. 3.   

Register Online at DisasterAssisance.gov or by phone, 800-621-FEMA (3362).  Assistance is available in most languages. People who are deaf or hard of hearing may call (TTY) 800-462-7585.

SBA loan applications can be completed at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Call the SBA customer service center with questions at 800-659-2955.  People who use TTY can call 800-877-8339. For more information, visit sba.gov.

For the latest information on Illinois’ recovery from the Nov. 17 storms, visit FEMA.gov/Disaster/4157. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, facebook.com/fema and youtube.com/fema.

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. 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.

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).

FEMA News Desk: 217-522-2080

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