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Fifteen Illinois Counties Added for Public Assistance

AURORA, Ill. – Fifteen additional Illinois counties are now eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program as part of the federal disaster declaration for severe storms, straight-line winds and flooding during the period of April 16 to May 5.

This eligibility means that cities, counties, and certain private nonprofit organizations can apply for reimbursement for eligible costs incurred during the spring severe weather. Categories of eligible work that may be funded by FEMA are debris removal, emergency protective measures, repair or replacement of roads and bridges, water control facilities, buildings and equipment, utilities, and parks and recreational facilities.

This brings to 39 the total number of Illinois counties designated for PA. The counties (new counties are bold faced) are Adams, Bureau, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Clark, Crawford, DuPage, Fulton, Greene, Grundy, Hancock, Henderson, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Lawrence, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Mercer, Monroe, Morgan, Ogle, Peoria, Pike, Putnam, Rock Island, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stark, Tazewell, Warren, Will and Woodford.

PA is a cost-sharing program with FEMA paying 75 percent. The remainder is the responsibility of the state and local governments.

Federal Hazard Mitigation funding for the entire state was included in the original disaster declaration on May 10.

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

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Fifteen Illinois Counties Added for Public Assistance

Apply for FEMA Assistance Even if You Have Flood Insurance

AURORA, Ill. – FEMA disaster assistance may sometimes cover damages that flood insurance does not.

Illinois residents affected by the severe storms and flooding from April 16 to May 5 need to apply for disaster assistance even if they have insurance. You must apply directly with FEMA. Filing a flood insurance claim or meeting with your insurance agent does not register you with FEMA.

However, you do need to file your insurance claim with your insurance company, and you must apply with FEMA before the deadline of July 9. Failure to do so will affect your eligibility for FEMA disaster assistance.

Once you have applied, you have 12 months to tell FEMA if your insurance coverage was sufficient and to be considered for FEMA disaster assistance. By law, FEMA cannot provide money to individuals or households for losses that are covered by insurance.

After filing a flood insurance claim, if any of the following situations occurs, FEMA may be able to provide some assistance:

Your settlement was delayed longer than 30-days from the time you filed a claim.
Your settlement doesn’t cover all of your disaster-related needs.
You exhausted the additional living expenses provided by your insurance.
You are unable to locate rental resources in your area.

Fax (1-800-827-8112) or mail a letter to FEMA explaining the circumstances to:

FEMA – Individuals & Households Program

National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055

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

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

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

Continued:

Apply for FEMA Assistance Even if You Have Flood Insurance

Recertify to be Eligible for Continued Rental Help

AURORA, Ill. – Illinois households currently receiving rental assistance through FEMA for the severe storms and flooding from April 16 to May 5 must provide the necessary paperwork to recertify for continued rental help in order to ensure no interruption of benefits.

FEMA may pay up to 18 months of rental assistance to both homeowners and renters if they need to relocate while repairs are being made to their disaster-damaged residence. The rental assistance is paid in two-month increments and can include the payment of a security deposit. The security deposit may include a pet deposit fee, but the amount of the security deposit plus the pet deposit fee cannot exceed one month’s rent.

An application for continued temporary housing will be sent to applicants who have received initial rental assistance approximately two weeks after the first rental award. It reaffirms that applicants have an ongoing need for temporary housing, either because disaster-related repairs are not completed or they have been unable to find permanent replacement housing.

Applicants who continue to need rental assistance must express an interest either verbally through the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or in writing within 90 days after receipt of the application. The entire process must be completed within 120 days to be eligible. A new 90- and 120-day limit will begin with each rental recertification, and a new application needs to be filled out each cycle.

Documents required for recertification include:

The completed application
A copy of the current lease or rental agreement signed by the applicant
Rental receipts, canceled checks or money orders showing proper usage of previous rental assistance
Current income statements from family members living in the rental

The form must be completed in full and turned in on time for each rental cycle to apply for continued assistance.

FEMA will evaluate the information each cycle to determine if the applicant qualifies for ongoing federal rental assistance, based on financial need. An applicant’s current monthly rent is compared to the person’s housing costs before the disaster. Income for all household members, ongoing homeowner mortgage, insurance and utility costs for the damaged home, and other housing commitment costs are all taken into consideration when determining continued eligibility. An applicant who misses one cycle of recertification will not be eligible for continued rental assistance.

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

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

Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and ww.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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Recertify to be Eligible for Continued Rental Help

One Month Left for Illinois Residents to Register With FEMA

AURORA, Ill. – Illinois residents who had damage from the severe storms and flooding between April 16 and May 5 have only 30 days left to register for FEMA disaster assistance.

Federal disaster assistance for homeowners and renters can include grants to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other disaster-related expenses not met by insurance or other assistance programs.

FEMA provides several ways for residents of the 33 counties included in the major disaster declaration to register by the deadline of Tuesday, July 9.

Currently, Disaster Survivor Assistance (DSA) crews are going door-to-door in hard-hit areas and also visiting senior centers, churches and other community gathering places. The crews are meeting with local officials and community leaders to provide additional support for determining where unmet needs exist.

The goal is to identify anyone who needs help – homeowners, renters, business owners, eligible nonprofit agencies and faith-based organizations. This includes people with disabilities, those with access and functional needs, seniors and people with limited English proficiency.

It is important to remember that FEMA staff members who assist residents with registration are federal employees. They have received federal security clearances and carry photo identification badges. Always ask to see an ID before giving personal information to anyone.

Another way to register for federal disaster assistance is to visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) operated by the state of Illinois and FEMA. The eight DRCs currently open are in Chicago and in Cook, DuPage, Peoria, Rock Island and Woodford counties; however, three are closing later this week. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Chicago

North Park Village

5801 N. Pulaski, Bldg. C

Chicago, IL 60646

Chicago

Royal Savings Bank

9226 S. Commercial Ave.

Chicago, IL 60617

Cook County

Forest View Fire Department

7010 W. 46^th St.

Forest View, IL 60402

Cook County

1486 Miner St. (Next to Des Plaines Theater)

Des Plaines, IL 60016

DuPage County

Lisle Police Department

5040 Lincoln Ave.

Lisle, IL 60532

Peoria County (Closing June 14)

Chillicothe Fire Department (Fire Hall)

217 W. Chestnut St.

Chillicothe, IL 61523

Rock Island County (Closing June 12)

Rock Island County Emergency Management Agency

6120 78^th Ave.

Milan, IL 61264

Woodford County (Closing June 14)

Woodford County Emergency Management Agency

301 S. Main St.

Roanoke, IL 61561

However, 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

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

Have the following information handy to speed the process:

Social Security number;
Telephone number where you can be reached;
Address of the damaged property;
Current mailing address;
Brief description of disaster-related damages and losses;
Insurance information; and
Direct deposit information to speed delivery of funds.

The 33 Illinois counties designated for FEMA Individual Assistance include: Brown, Bureau, Calhoun, Clark, Cook, Crawford, DeKalb, Douglas, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Henderson, Henry, Kane, Kendall, Knox, Lake, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Peoria, Pike, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Tazewell, Whiteside, Will, Winnebago and Woodford.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

One Month Left for Illinois Residents to Register With FEMA

Disaster Recovery Center in Woodford County to Close

AURORA, Ill. – The federal/state Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Woodford County will close at
7 p.m. Friday, June 14.

Woodford County

Woodford County Emergency Management Office

301 S. Main St.

Roanoke, IL 61561

After the DRC closes, registration continues to be available in several ways: 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.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Disaster Recovery Center in Woodford County to Close

Disaster Recovery Center in Peoria County to Close

AURORA, Ill. – The federal/state Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in Peoria County will close at
7 p.m. Friday, June 14.

Peoria County

Chillicothe Fire Hall

217 W. Chestnut St.

Chillicothe, IL 61523

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

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

Disaster Recovery Center in Peoria County to Close

Flood or Wind Damage? Get Permits Before Rebuilding

AURORA, Ill. – Before beginning new construction or repairs of property damaged during the recent spring severe weather, residents are urged to consult with local building officials to obtain the necessary permits.

“Obtaining building permits is especially important for those with homes or businesses located within a FEMA-mapped floodplain,” said State Coordinating Officer Jonathon Monken, the Illinois official in charge of disaster recovery. “Residents rebuilding after the recent severe weather need to know that building permits are based on local codes and ordinances that are enforced locally, not by FEMA.”

Permits assure residents and communities that all proposed work complies with current codes, standards, flood ordinances and recommended construction techniques. Permits that include an elevation certificate can provide a permanent record of compliance with elevation, and/or retrofitting requirements, which is useful information for flood insurance ratings, and when selling your home.

Often, local permit offices can provide suggestions or literature on how to protect your home or business from future disaster-related damage.

Floodplain development permits are required and repair projects must meet community building codes and flood-damage prevention ordinances. Repairs begun without proper permits may be subject to stop-work orders, fines or penalties.

It is not necessary to visit a DRC to register for disaster assistance. 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.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

Continued here:

Flood or Wind Damage? Get Permits Before Rebuilding

Disaster Grants Won’t Affect Social Security or Taxes

AURORA, Ill. – State and federal disaster assistance is not treated as income and is not taxable. It also does not affect Social Security benefits, nor does it affect a recipient’s eligibility for other federal assistance programs.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has so far awarded more than $80.9 million dollars in disaster grants to individuals affected by the Illinois storms of April 16-May 5. Those grants have paid for temporary housing and other needs, such as personal property loss, medical care, and transportation. Here are answers to some typically asked questions:

Question: Will receiving a grant cause my income to increase to the point that I am no longer eligible for Medicaid, or food stamps, or Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF).

Answer: No. Grants for housing and Other Needs Assistance are not counted as income in determining eligibility for any income-tested benefit programs that receives U.S. government funds.

Question: I took my Social Security benefits early. If I earn more than a certain amount each year, I must repay $1 of my Social Security payment for every $2 I earn. Will FEMA grants add to my income and require me to repay Social Security?

Answer: No. FEMA grants for housing and ONA are not counted as income.

Question: I’m over 65, but if I earn more than a certain amount, I must pay tax on my Social Security income. Will a FEMA grant boost my income and require me to pay tax on my Social Security income?

Answer: No. Again, the IRS does not count FEMA grants for housing and ONA as income.

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.fem a.gov/disaster/4116.

Media Contact: 571-408-1835

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Disaster Grants Won’t Affect Social Security or Taxes

Tres formas sencillas de inscribirse para recibir asistencia federal

OKLAHOMA CITY – Se recomienda a los residentes de Oklahoma que viven en los condados de Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma y Pottawatomie y resultaron afectados por las recientes tormentas y tornados, que aprovechen las tres formas sencillas disponibles de inscribirse para recibir asistencia federal. Usted puede ser elegible para recibir asistencia del estado de Oklahoma, de la Agencia Federal para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés) y de la Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa (SBA, por sus siglas en inglés) de los Estados Unidos.
Los propietarios de viviendas, inquilinos y propietarios de empresas de todos los tamaños, así como las organizaciones sin fines de lucro pueden realizar lo siguiente:
1. Inscribirse por Internet en: www.disasterassistance.gov/espanol.
2. Inscribirse a través de un teléfono inteligente en m.fema.gov/esp.
3. Inscribirse por teléfono llamando al 1-800-621-3362 o al (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Si usted usa el servicio 711 o el servicio de transmisión de video, debe llamar al 1-800-621-3362. Los números de teléfono gratuitos estarán disponibles de 7.00am a 10.00pm los siete días de la semana hasta nuevo aviso.
Los residentes de Oklahoma deben inscribirse en FEMA aunque tengan un seguro. FEMA no puede duplicar los pagos de los seguros, pero es posible que los solicitantes con un seguro insuficiente reciban ayuda una vez que se hayan liquidado los reclamos de la compañía de seguros.
Inscribirse en FEMA es necesario para recibir ayuda federal, aun si la persona se ha inscrito en alguna otra organización de asistencia por desastre como la Cruz Roja Americana, organización local o entidad religiosa. Para inscribirse en FEMA se debe usar el nombre que figura en la tarjeta del Seguro Social. Se les pedirá a los solicitantes que brinden la siguiente información:
• Número del Seguro Social.
• Dirección de la vivienda o el apartamento dañado.
• Descripción de los daños.
• Información sobre la cobertura del seguro.
• Un número de teléfono actual para contacto.
• Una dirección donde reciba correspondencia.
• El número de una cuenta bancaria y el número de enrutamiento, en el caso de que desee un depósito directo de cualquier asistencia financiera.
Para obtener más información sobre la recuperación por desastre en Oklahoma, haga clic en http://www.fema.gov/disaster/4117 o visite el sitio del Departamento de Oklahoma para el Manejo de Emergencias (OEM, por sus siglas en inglés) en www.oem.ok.gov.

La asistencia de recuperación por desastre se encuentra disponible sin distinción de raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad, discapacidad, dominio del inglés o condición económica. Si usted o alguien que conoce ha sido discriminado, comuníquese sin cargo con FEMA al 800-621-3362. Para utilizar la línea TTY, llame al 800-462-7585.

El OEM trabaja en la preparación, la respuesta, la recuperación y la mitigación de emergencias y desastres. El Departamento presta servicios a las ciudades, los pueblos y los condados de Oklahoma a través de una red de más de 350 administradores de emergencias locales.

La misión de FEMA es apoyar a los ciudadanos y a las agencias de primera respuesta para garantizar que como país trabajemos juntos para desarrollar, mantener y mejorar nuestra capacidad de prepararnos, protegernos y recuperarnos de los peligros, responder ante ellos y mitigarlos.

La SBA es la fuente principal de recursos financieros del gobierno federal para la reconstrucción a largo plazo de la propiedad privada dañada por desastres. La SBA ayuda a propietarios de viviendas, inquilinos, empresas de todos los tamaños y organizaciones privadas sin fines de lucro para que puedan financiar sus esfuerzos de reparación o de reconstrucción y a cubrir el costo de reemplazar la propiedad privada que se perdió o que sufrió daños por desastre. Los préstamos por desastre cubren pérdidas que el seguro u otras fuentes de recuperación no cubren en su totalidad y no duplican beneficios de otras agencias u organizaciones.

Síganos en Twitter enhttp://twitter.com/#!/femaregion6 y en el blog de FEMA en http://blog.fema.gov.

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Tres formas sencillas de inscribirse para recibir asistencia federal

National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2013: Pledge to Prepare, New England

Hurricane awareness and preparation can reduce the impact of hurricanes and save lives. For this reason, we are asking all citizens to make a pledge to prepare for hurricane season. By doing so, families, individuals, and businesses will become familiar with their vulnerabilities and can take action to prepare for and reduce the impacts of a hurricane. Hurricane season officially begins on June 1, 2013 and continues through November 30, 2013.

Many states and communities are already constantly preparing by participating in large-scale training exercises that require the same level of planning and preparation that a real hurricane would demand. These exercises are challenging, and are designed to help participants determine their level of preparedness, and where they need to focus more attention.

We ask all states, communities and residents to join us for National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 26 through June 1, 2013, by pledging to prepare – and taking these simple steps:

• Know and understand your weather risk

• Take action

• Be an example for your family, friends and neighbors when hurricanes affect our area

Knowing your risk is to understand how hurricane and tropical storm events, in both coastal and inland areas, disrupt lives and directly impact you and your family where you live, work and go to school. Check the weather forecast regularly, sign up for local alerts from emergency management officials, and obtain a NOAA Weather Radio.

Taking action includes a number of easy steps:

• Complete your Ready Emergency Preparedness Plan

• Update your Emergency Supply Kit

• Download the FEMA smartphone application to access important safety tips on what to do before, during and after a hurricane.

Being an example is the third simple step. Once you have pledged and taken action, spread the word to family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors. Inform them of your preparation actions and assist them with creating their own plan to prepare. You can be the example. Inspire others by posting your story on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. You can also post our Preparedness Widget on your social media profiles. It could save a life!

Join us today and pledge to prepare at www.ready.gov/hurricanes during National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 26 – June 1, 2013.

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“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.”

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National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2013: Pledge to Prepare, New England

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