Individual and Public Assistance-Both Important to Missouri Recovery Process
Release Date: September 15, 2008
Release Number: 1773-070
» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms and Flooding
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provide two main disaster assistance programs to help communities recover from the devastation of the severe storms and flooding that occurred between June 1 and Aug. 13th.
They are as follows:
INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE
The Individuals and Households Program includes housing and/or financial assistance for other disaster-related needs.
Housing Assistance may include funding for:
- Temporary residence (rental assistance); and
- Repairs to make the home safe, sanitary and habitable.
Other Needs Assistance may include funding for:
- Medical, dental and funeral expenses;
- Personal property;
- Transportation; and
- Other disaster-related expenses.
Individual assistance can also be in the form of disaster unemployment assistance, crisis counseling, disaster legal services, and low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration for homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes, and non-profit organizations.
PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
Under the Public Assistance Grant Program, FEMA awards grants to assist state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations with the response to and recovery from disasters. The program provides funding for debris removal, implementation of emergency protective measures and permanent restoration of infrastructure. During the recovery process, the program can also provide assistance for hazard mitigation measures to prevent damage in future disasters.
Public Assistance is based on a partnership between FEMA, state, and local officials. FEMA provides not less than 75 percent of eligible costs while the state and local government is responsible for the remainder.
The state educates potential applicants; works with FEMA to manage the program; and is responsible for implementing and monitoring the grants awarded under the program. Local officials are responsible for identifying damage, providing information necessary for FEMA to approve grants and managing the projects funded under the program.
If eligible properties are insured, the insurance proceeds are deducted from the grant, when applicable.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 16-Sep-2008 11:28:37