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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.

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

FEMA Specialists Offer Registration Assistance in Many Languages

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

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

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Federal Disaster Aid to Illinois Residents Tops $68 Million

Federal Disaster Aid to Illinois Residents Reaches $51 Million

CHICAGO – In the nearly two weeks since 11 counties in Illinois were declared a major disaster area, federal assistance has reached $51 million, distributed among more than 17,000 individuals and households.

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:

$51 million in FEMA grants approved for individuals and households;
Of that amount, more than $45 million approved for housing assistance, including temporary rental assistance, home repair costs and assistance toward replacing destroyed homes;
Nearly $6 million approved to cover essential disaster-related needs, such as medical and dental expenses and damaged personal possessions;
More than 22,000 home inspections completed to confirm disaster damage; and
More than 900 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) operated jointly by FEMA and the state of Illinois.

Eight languages, other than English, are being used to communicate assistance information to those affected by the severe storms and flooding: Arabic, German, Korean, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Spanish and Urdu.

On May 22, 2013, FEMA approved the addition of 14 counties. 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.

Individuals can apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via web-enabled phone at m.fema.gov. Applicants may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. People who use 711-Relay or Video Relay Services (VRS) can call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Federal Disaster Aid to Illinois Residents Reaches $51 Million