SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Cal OES are altering the schedules of Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) in Calaveras and Lake counties, with two Mobile Disaster Recovery Centers closing permanently.

Starting this weekend the DRC hours of operation will be:

Monday – Friday:                               8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Saturday:                                             9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Sunday:                                               Closed

The DRC locations are:

Calaveras County:    The Calaveras County Disaster Recovery Center in San Andreas

                                    891 Mountain Ranch Rd., San Andreas, CA 95249

 

Lake County:             The Lake County Disaster Recovery Center in Clearlake

                        14860 Olympic Dr., Clearlake, CA 95422

                                    The Lake County Disaster Recovery Center in Middletown

                                    21256 Washington St., Middletown, CA 95461

The following two mobile DRCs will be closing end of business Saturday Oct. 24. 

                        The Calaveras County Disaster Recovery Center in Mountain Ranch

7867 Whiskey Slide Rd., Mountain Ranch, CA 95246

                        The Calaveras County Disaster Recovery Center in Rail Road Flat

250 Railroad Flat Rd., Rail Road Flat, CA 95248

Survivors can also apply for FEMA assistance online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585; 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

A direct telephone hotline is operational to process any requests from survivors who may need additional assistance:  916-381-0330, TTY CALL 711.

For more updated information on California’s wildfire recovery, survivors may visit: caloes.ca.gov or http://beta.fema.gov/disaster/4240 and follow us on Twitter@femaregion9 and at Facebook.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). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who are referred to SBA for a disaster loan must apply to be eligible for additional FEMA assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

 

###

View original post here – 

California Disaster Recovery Centers change operational hours

WARREN, MICH. – Staying in touch with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after registering for disaster assistance is one of the most important things Michigan flood survivors can do.

“Disaster survivors who have applied for federal disaster assistance should keep FEMA updated with their current contact information,” said Michigan State Police Capt. Chris A.  Kelenske, State Coordinating Officer and Deputy State Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. “Otherwise, they could be delayed in receiving federal dollars to help recover from August’s severe storms and flooding.”

FEMA has many ways for applicants impacted by the August severe storms and flooding to update addresses, phone numbers and personal information:

  • Log on to the website at www.DisasterAssistance.gov ; or
  • Call the toll-free Helpline at 800-621-3362, or TTY at 800-462-7585; or
  • Visit any of the four Disaster Recovery Centers in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties; or
  • Visit one of the many recovery support sites in the disaster-designated counties.

When updating information, refer to the nine-digit registration number issued when applying for FEMA disaster assistance. This number is displayed on all correspondence received from FEMA and is a key identifier in tracking assistance requests.

“We understand that people move frequently as they adapt to new situations,” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont. “FEMA needs to know current addresses and contact phone numbers so we are assured assistance goes to the right place.”

Disaster Recovery Center locations are in:

Macomb County:
Renaissance Unity Church
11200 E. 11 Mile Road
Warren, MI 48089

Oakland County:
Gerry Kulick Community Center
1201 Livernois St.
Ferndale, MI 48220

Wayne County:
Wayne County Community College Welcome Center
8200 West Outer Drive
Detroit, MI 48219

Wayne County Community College Education and Performing Arts Center
21000 Northline Road
Taylor, MI 48180

All Disaster Recovery Centers are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but closed on Sunday. The FEMA registration line is open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. EDT seven days a week. The best way to find a recovery support site is to go to FEMA’s disaster-specific Web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4195

###

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 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.

English: http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4195

Spanish: http://www.fema.gov/es/disaster/4195

View original article – 

Applicants Should Stay in Touch With FEMA

1                      Joint Field Office established to coordinate recovery efforts (located in Centennial)

11                    Number of counties designated for FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program.

15                    Applicants FEMA has provided funding for stream clearance

18                    Number of counties designated for FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.

20                    Total households that are licensed into Manufactured Housing Units

21                    Communities that hosted federal/state Disaster Recovery Centers

47                    Households were licensed into 54 MHUs at peak of FEMA housing operation

1,201               FEMA Public Assistance project worksheets

22,314             Individual visits to the many federal/state Disaster Recovery Centers

28,169             Registrations for assistance from the 11 Individual Assistance counties

$4,929,852      Aid provided from FEMA/State Other Needs Assistance* Program

                        *ONA provides funding for personal property and other items like vehicles and tools

$56,698,793    Repair and rental Aid provide from FEMA’s Housing Assistance Program

$61,628,646    Total FEMA assistance grants under the Individual Assistance Program

$109,646,900  Low-interest disaster loans approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration

$262,193,453  Public Assistance* funding was awarded statewide

*FEMA Public Assistance program provides funding for emergency actions undertaken by communities as well as aid to repair or replace damaged public infrastructure

Read More: 

2013 Colorado Floods: By The Numbers

Little Rock, Ark. – Survivors of the April 27 severe storms, tornadoes and floods have until      2 p.m. Saturday, June 14, to visit the Disaster Recovery Centers in Mayflower and Vilonia.

The state and FEMA have closely monitored visitor traffic at the centers in Arkansas. Traffic to these centers has significantly decreased, indicating the information needs of survivors in the area have been met. 

Survivors can visit the remaining Disaster Recovery Centers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at:

  • 600 Highway 365, Mayflower, AR 72106

  • 1122 Main St., Vilonia, AR 72173

Disaster Recovery Centers gather different state and federal agencies and programs under one roof, offering survivors convenient access to guidance from a number of resources. Recovery centers are one-stop shops for eligible tornado survivors to get help as quickly as possible. In addition to state and FEMA personnel, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) representatives are available at both centers to provide information and answer questions about SBA low-interest disaster assistance loans to help homeowners, renters and businesses recover.

The registration deadline for Arkansas survivors is June 30, 2014.

Survivors can continue to register and check the status of their applications online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They may also call       1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.  Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

###

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 Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state’s homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.  For additional information, contact ADEM at (501) 683-6700 or visit the website at www.adem.arkansas.gov.

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 http://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money 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 losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants can go to www.sba.gov/disaster or call (800) 659-2955 (TTY 1-800-977-8339).

 

Link to article: 

Last Chance to Visit FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers in Arkansas

Little Rock, Ark. – Effective June 9, 2014, the State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) in Mayflower and Vilonia will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday–Friday. The DRCs are also open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Survivors of the severe storms, tornadoes and floods have until June 14 to visit one of  the Disaster Recovery Centers.

Disaster Recovery Centers gather different state and federal agencies and programs under one roof, offering survivors convenient access to guidance from a number of resources. Recovery centers are one-stop shops for eligible survivors from the severe storms, floods and tornadoes of April 27, to get help as quickly as possible

Survivors of the April 27 severe storms, tornadoes and floods have until June 14 to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Mayflower or Vilonia. The centers are located at:

 

 

600 Hwy 365

Mayflower, AR 72106

 

1122 Main St.

Vilonia, AR 72173

Representatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available at both DRCs to provide information and answer questions about SBA low-interest disaster assistance loans to help homeowners, renters and businesses recover.

Survivors can continue to register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.  Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

###

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 Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) is the state’s homeland security and preparedness agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to Arkansas by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.  For additional information, contact ADEM at (501) 683-6700 or visit the website at www.adem.arkansas.gov.

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 athttps://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov. For information on rebuilding and repairing safer and stronger, visit fema.gov/ar-disaster-mitigation.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money 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 losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For information about SBA programs, applicants can go to www.sba.gov/disaster or call (800) 659-2955 (TTY 1-800-977-8339).

 

Read the article – 

New Hours for FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers; Closing Date Set

Little Rock, Ark. – Storm survivors in the four disaster-designated Arkansas counties have plenty of options when it comes to asking for state and federal assistance.

A State/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open in Mayflower, Ark., on Thursday, May 8. Mobile Registration Intake Centers are opening Wednesday, May 7, in newly declared Pulaski and White counties, and registration teams are going door to door in affected areas in Faulkner, Pulaski, Randolph and White counties. (A DRC will open soon in Randolph County).

Meanwhile, storm survivors may continue to register online at www.disasterassistance.gov and by phone at 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.    

At the DRC, visitors will be able to talk to specialists from the state of Arkansas, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Internal Revenue Service, the American Red Cross, plus other agencies and groups. Those professionals will be available to answer questions and provide information on the types of assistance available to survivors.

“Some folks prefer to meet face to face rather than do business over the phone or online,” said State Coordinating Officer David Maxwell. “The recovery center gives Arkansans that opportunity.”

Disaster Recovery Center Location:

Disaster Recovery Center

(Old Pawn Shop)

600 Highway 365

Mayflower, AR 72106

Monday to Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Sundays: 1 to 6 p.m.

Meanwhile, Mobile Registration Intake Centers (MRIC) continue to assist survivors in Vilonia and Mayflower, and will open today in Pulaski and White counties. Survivors can register for state and federal assistance and check the status of their applications at an MRIC.

“Disaster Recovery Centers put the federal and state personnel a survivor might want to meet under one roof, and MRICs offer a quick way for people to register,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO) Timothy J. Scranton. “Both the fixed and mobile centers – and of course, our door-to-door outreach – are designed to offer the most convenience to tornado and storm survivors here in Arkansas.”

Mobile Registration Intake Center Locations:

Pulaski County:

Pleasant Grove Baptist Church

27025 Kanis Road, Little Rock, AR 72223

White County:

4103 Highway 36 West
Searcy, AR 72143

(This is an open parking lot across highway from a volunteer fire department)

Hours for both:

Monday to Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sundays: 1 to 6 p.m.

Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are canvassing neighborhoods to help people register and provide information. All team members wear FEMA shirts and have FEMA badges.

Survivors can continue to register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585.  Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Read this article: 

Storm Survivors Have Many Ways to Register for Federal and State Help

Springfield, Ill.  – This capsule of recent disaster recovery information is provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Don’t let misinformation keep you from registering for disaster assistance.

Sometimes unexpected, uninsured expenses arise weeks or even months after a disaster. For example, you might identify additional damage to your home in the spring when temperatures rise and contractors are able to conduct a more comprehensive inspection. If your insurance settlement is delayed, you may qualify for temporary rental assistance if your home is uninhabitable. Or you may exhaust the additional living expenses provided by your insurance company. FEMA and U.S. Small Business Administration disaster assistance may help cover some of these expenses.

Registering with FEMA is quick and easy. You should register even if you have insurance and regardless of your income level or the level of damage your home sustained. Register online at DisasterAssistance.gov, with a mobile device by using the FEMA app or going to m.fema.gov, or by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). People who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY can call 800-462-7585

SBA low-interest disaster loans are a major recovery funding source for Illinois.

If you apply for assistance with FEMA and are referred to the SBA, it’s important to submit a low-interest disaster loan application to assure that the federal disaster recovery process continues. You are not obligated to accept a loan, but failure to complete and submit the application may stop the FEMA grant process. Homeowners may be eligible for loans up to $200,000 for repairs. Homeowners and renters may be eligible to borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace personal property. For businesses, loans are available up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster damaged real estate, and other business assets. Eligible small businesses and non-profits can apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.

You can apply online at DisasterLoan.SBA.gov/ela. For additional information about SBA low-interest disaster loans, contact the SBA Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955 or TTY 800-877-8339, emailing DisasterCustomerService@sba.gov or visiting sba.gov/disaster.

Rental assistance is available if you have been displaced as a result of the storms.

If you are making repairs to or rebuilding your home, you may be eligible for assistance from FEMA to cover temporary rental expenses if your home is uninhabitable – but you must register with FEMA to be considered. Call 800-621-FEMA (3362) or visit a Disaster Recovery Center if you have questions or need help finding a rental property. You can also go Nestrent.com or IlHousingSearch.org to identify available rental properties.

FEMA decision letters are not the end of the line for disaster assistance.

After registering with FEMA, you will receive a letter explaining the status of your application. The letter may state that you’re ineligible for assistance, but this isn’t necessarily a final decision. It is important to read the entire letter carefully because it states exactly what needs to be submitted for potential federal assistance. If you have insurance, you must submit all of your insurance information for FEMA to review your eligibility. Sending your insurance declaration page is not sufficient. You need to submit actual insurance settlement information. If you are unsure of how to obtain this document, contact your insurance company, call the FEMA helpline (800-621-FEMA) or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Insurance documents will be reviewed, then an inspector may arrange a visit to the damaged home or apartment to determine if there are uninsured, eligible losses. Federal disaster assistance may assist in covering some expenses not covered by insurance. You can appeal FEMA’s decision. Appeals must be filed within 60 days of the date of the determination letter. More information is available by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or by taking the letter to a Disaster Recovery Center. You can locate the nearest center by going to fema.gov/drclocator.

Help is available to repair damaged vehicles.

If you had a vehicle damaged or destroyed in one of the counties affected by the Nov. 17 Illinois tornadoes, you may be eligible for federal disaster assistance. Even if you are not a resident of one of the designated counties, you may still be eligible for this assistance if you were working or visiting one of the counties. You must register with FEMA to be considered for eligibility. In addition to FEMA assistance, homeowners and renters may be eligible to borrow up to $40,000 through SBA’s low-interest disaster loan program to repair or replace personal property, including automobiles damaged or destroyed in the disaster.

Illinois recovery photos and videos available

Visit fema.gov/disasters/4157 to access FEMA’s online library of photos and videos documenting response and recovery efforts to the Nov. 17 storms and tornadoes in Illinois. The page also includes updated information and important messages regarding Illinois’ recovery.

NEWS DESK: 217-522-2080

###

Excerpt from:

Illinois Tornado Recovery News: Capsule of Illinois tornado recovery news for weekly newspapers

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Less than a month after federal disaster aid was made available to the State of Alaska, more than $1 million in awards and more than $1 million in loans have been approved for households and businesses to help them recover from losses caused by the flooding of the Yukon River that occurred between May 17 and June 11, 2013, disaster officials announced today.

“It’s important to note that awards are a form of financial disaster-aid that does not have to be repaid,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), he pointed out, provide amounts needed for extensive repairs and rebuilding.

Assistance made available as of July 21, 2013, includes:

  • $1,033,234 in FEMA awards disbursed to individuals and households.
  • $422,373 for housing assistance.
  • $610,860 for other needs.
  • $1,029,500 in low-interest disaster loans approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration for homeowners, renters and businesses.
  • 285 housing inspections completed.
  • 289 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers.
  • 170 face-to-face meetings with survivors have been conducted by FEMA’s Individual Assistance Task Force in the cities of Emmonak, Alakanuk, Fort Yukon, Hughes, Circle, Eagle, and Tok as well as at the Willow House in Fairbanks.

The funds for individuals and households are made available to people found to be eligible for assistance in the Regional Educational Attendance Areas (REAAs) of Alaska Gateway, Lower Yukon, Yukon Flats, and Yukon-Koyukuk.

“While state, federal, and voluntary organizations continue to respond to the serious needs of people and communities who suffered losses as a result of the flooding, we strongly urge everyone who suffered losses in those REAAs to register for help with FEMA,” said State Coordinating Officer Bryan Fisher.

Those with flooding losses in the eligible REAAs can register by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Registration by mobile device is also available at www.m.fema.gov. Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use TTY can call 800-462-7585 (TTY).  Multilingual registration can be done by phone.

Applicants can apply for an SBA disaster loan online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela

Residents and business owners can obtain information on SBA disaster loans by calling SBA’s Customer Service Center toll-free at (800) 659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visiting SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.  Individuals who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can call (800) 877-8339.

Those affected can register in person at one of the two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) that have been set up to assist individuals, households and businesses affected by the spring floods:

  • In Galena at the Galena Interior Learning Academy, 359 Challenger Road,
  • In Fairbanks at 751 Old Richardson Hwy., Suite 202.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, at both DRCs.

If you intend to register at one of the DRCs, please bring:

  • Your Social Security number
  • Current and pre-disaster address
  • Block and lot number
  • A telephone number where you can be contacted
  • Insurance information
  • Total household annual income

Staff at the DRCs can review and update applicant information and address individual questions and concerns.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses and private, nonprofit organizations to cover costs of repair or replacement of damaged real estate, personal property, and business assets not covered by insurance or other aid. SBA offers disaster loans to cover working capital disaster needs caused by disaster for small businesses only and most private, nonprofit organizations,

There are three ways to apply for an SBA disaster loan:  After registering with FEMA, go online to SBA’s secure site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; call 1-800-659-2955 (deaf and hard-of-hearing call 1-800-877-8339); or, visit the Disaster Recovery Center for one-on-one service. For more information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

 

Follow this link: 

More Than $2 Million Approved for 2013 Flood Survivors

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The state and federal Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Fairbanks to assist individuals, households and businesses affected by the 2013 spring floods has new hours of operation.

Located at 751 Old Richardson Hwy., Suite 202 in Fairbanks, AK 99701, the center provides
face-to-face help, currently from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

Starting Sunday, July 21, 2013, the new hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 12 noon Sunday.

The center is staffed by disaster recovery specialists who can provide information and answer questions about flood-related assistance.

Those with 2013 spring flooding losses are encouraged to register with FEMA by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362) or online at DisasterAssistance.gov. Registration by mobile device is also available at www.m.fema.gov.  Those with a speech disability or hearing loss who use TTY can call 800-462-7585 (TTY).  Multilingual registration can be done by phone.

Staff at the recovery centers can review and update applicant information and address individual questions and concerns.

Those individuals unable to register by phone or online may register at the DRC. If you intend to register at the center, please bring:

 

  • Your Social Security number
  • Current and pre-disaster address
  • Block and lot number
  • A telephone number where you can be contacted
  • Insurance information

Total household annual income

  • A routing and account number from your bank (only necessary if you want to have disaster assistance funds transferred directly into your bank account). Look up your bank routing number.
  • A description of your losses that were caused by the disaster.

FEMA disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for housing, replace personal property and reimburse medical, storage and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance or charities. Assistance may also include low-interest federal disaster loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

SBA offers disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations for their uncompensated losses. Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence. Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property. Businesses may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace their disaster-damaged property and/or economic losses.

There are three ways to apply for an SBA disaster loan:  After registering with FEMA, go online to SBA’s secure site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela; call 1-800-659-2955 (deaf and hard-of-hearing call 1-800-877-8339); or, visit the Disaster Recovery Center for one-on-one service. For more information on SBA disaster assistance, go to www.sba.gov.

Read original article:  

State, FEMA Fairbanks Disaster Recovery Center Has New Hours

AURORA, Ill. Federal assistance in Illinois has reached more than $94 million, distributed among more than 35,400 individuals and households, since a major disaster was declared for the state May 10.

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

  • More than $94 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households;
  • Of that amount, more than $82 million has been approved for housing assistance, including temporary rental assistance and home repair costs;
  • More than $12 million has been approved to cover other essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and damaged personal possessions;
  • More than 49,500 home inspections have been completed to confirm disaster damage;
  • More than $12.8 million in loans to homeowners, renters or business owners has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration; and
  • More than 3,000 visits have been made to Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) operated jointly by FEMA and the state of Illinois.

Residents of 33 counties in the major disaster declaration have until July 9 to register for federal assistance. Three Disaster Recovery Centers closed this week – in Peoria, Rock Island and Woodford counties.  FEMA staff continues to set up temporary offices in affected locations to provide registration assistance.

Public Assistance (PA) was previously approved for 24 Illinois counties. Another 15 counties were added this week bringing the total to 39 counties. Eligible counties now include Adams, Bureau, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Clark, Crawford, DuPage, Fulton, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Lawrence, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McHenry, McDonough, Mercer, Monroe, Morgan, Ogle, Peoria, Pike, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, Will and Woodford.

PA provides local governments and certain eligible nonprofits with funding for debris removal, emergency protective measures and infrastructure repairs such as building roads and bridges. This assistance is on a cost-sharing basis with FEMA paying 75 percent and the remainder the responsibility of the state and local governments. State-led applicant briefings are under way.

Hazard Mitigation teams are located at six home improvement stores to provide information on how to repair or rebuild stronger and safer to help avoid damage from future storms.

Once they have registered, survivors can keep the process moving forward by using these tips:

  • Keep critical appointments. A FEMA-contracted inspector will make an appointment to visit the property. Homeowners should be there for the inspection, or authorize someone who is 18 or older and lived in the home at the time of the disaster to represent them during the inspection.
  • Read all FEMA letters and documents. Applicants deemed eligible for disaster assistance will receive a letter from FEMA providing guidance on the disaster relief grant. The document will explain ways the money can be spent for recovery and explain that federal assistance may have to be repaid if it is duplicated by insurance or other assistance received.
  • Return forms and respond promptly. Sometimes FEMA sends letters indicating that more information is necessary before approval. Applicants should read the correspondence carefully and promptly return the necessary information.
  • Stay in touch with FEMA to update an address, phone number or e-mail address.

Accepting a U. S. Small Business Administration loan is not necessary, but applying for one is required as part of the FEMA application process:

  • Survivors may receive an SBA loan application package. Loans are available for homeowners, renters, businesses and private nonprofit organizations to repair or replace real estate, contents and/or personal property damaged in the severe storms and flooding.
  • Fill out and return these forms promptly. It is not necessary to accept a loan, but this application must be completed before certain grants and other programs can be considered.
  • SBA representatives at Disaster Recovery Centers will assist in completing the loan application as well as answer any questions. Information and assistance from SBA also is available at 800-659-2955, (TTY) 800-877-8339. Survivors also can apply online at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.

It is not necessary to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to register or stay in touch 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.

Multilingual phone operators are available on the FEMA helpline. Choose Option 2 for Spanish and Option 3 for other languages.

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 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

 

Original article: 

Federal Disaster Aid to Illinois Residents Tops $94 Million

 Page 2 of 5 « 1  2  3  4  5 »