More Than $7.8 Million Approved for Disaster Assistance; Application Deadline Set for July 20 

Release Date: June 21, 2002
Release Number: 1416-16

» More Information on Illinois Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

Springfield, IL -- Just one month after President Bush authorized a major disaster declaration for Illinois, more than $7.8 million in disaster grants and low-interest loans has been approved for more than half of the 3,000 Illinois residents who have called to apply for assistance. Homeowners, renters and business owners in a total of 68 counties throughout central and southern Illinois may be eligible for individual assistance and 33 of those counties are also eligible for infrastructure assistance to local governments.

According to figures released by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), at the close of business on June 20, the following numbers of people have applied for or received assistance:

Application Deadline Set for July 20

Individuals, families, and business owners who suffered losses, which occurred between April 21 and May 23 in the 68 declared counties, have until July 20 to apply for disaster assistance. Residents can apply by calling FEMA's toll-free number, 1 800 621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1 800 462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired. These numbers are available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Government disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate you for your entire loss. If you have insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered under your insurance policy. Some disaster aid does not have to be paid back, while other forms of help may come in the form of loans. The FEMA representative will explain the details to you when you call.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA has opened temporary disaster loan assistance offices in six Illinois counties to help individuals and businesses with their disaster loan applications. The offices will be open until further notice at these locations and times:

Mt. Vernon - 227 South 9th Street
Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Edwardsville - Madison County Government Admin. Bldg. (ground floor)
157 N. Main Street
Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Decatur - American Red Cross
Mid Illinois Chapter
500 East Lake Shore Drive
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Cairo - 1st National Bank (Corner of 8th St. & Washington St.)
800 Washington Street
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Springfield - Property Management Center
200 East Lake Drive
Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fairview Heights- Fairview Heights Fire Station # 1
10045 Bunkum Road
Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

SBA officials urge applicants to complete their loan application packet and return it as soon as possible, even if they have not received a final settlement from their insurance company. If the loan application packet is not returned it will delay other forms of disaster assistance.

Disaster Housing Assistance

Individuals and families whose permanent homes were damaged or destroyed in a declared county by the recent tornadoes, severe storms and flooding may be eligible for Disaster Housing Assistance. This assistance may be used for alternate rental housing, emergency essential repairs to make a residence habitable, or mortgage or rental assistance in cases where the disaster has caused extreme economic hardship. A total of 369 have been issued for rental assistance and 1,377 for emergency essential repairs. These grants, totaling $2,466,577 may be just the initial type of assistance that resident are eligible to receive.

IFG Program Meets Serious Disaster-Related Needs

Another $743,648 has also been approved for 434 applicants referred to the Individual and Family Grant (IFG) Program. Administered by the IEMA, the program provides grants to individuals and families to meet serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance, other federal, state, or voluntary agency disaster assistance programs. FEMA provides 75 percent of the funds for the IFG grants and the state covers the remaining 25 percent.

Infrastructure Assistance to Local Governments

Local governments, state agencies, and certain private non-profit organizations in 33 counties are eligible to apply for federal funds to pay 75 percent of the approved cost for debris removal, emergency services related to the disaster, and repairing or replacing damaged public facilities, such as roads, buildings and utilities. IEMA and FEMA have completed a series of applicant briefings throughout these counties and 269 applicants have submitted a Request for Public Assistance. Project officers will begin to work directly with each of these applicants to review eligible infrastructure losses.

COUNTY APPS APPR'D CLAIMS HOUSING GRANTS
Adams 6 4 $4,283
Alexander 184 139 162,261
Bond 14 3 8,888
Brown 0 0 0
Calhoun 26 11 27,723
Cass 34 19 37,529
Champaign 5 4 5,005
Christian 59 38 78,337
Clark 6 5 6,012
Clay 10 3 3,198
Clinton 24 4 7,157
Coles 66 43 51,147
Crawford 7 3 2,260
Cumberland 6 0 0
DeWitt 0 0 0
Douglas 26 14 19,930
Edgar 6 3 8,574
Edwards 3 0 0
Effingham 32 17 21,610
Fayette 29 13 16,893
Ford 3 0 0
Franklin 30 13 14,090
Fulton 6 0 0
Gallatin 2 0 0
Greene 15 6 14,045
Hamilton 4 0 0
Hancock 4 3 4,258
Hardin 2 0 0
Iroquois 6 4 6,003
Jackson 10 5 12,560
Jasper 23 10 11,690
Jefferson 18 3 4,905
Jersey 19 10 18,401
Johnson 35 13 25,517
Lawrence 28 14 $18,252
Logan 4 0 0
Macon 205 127 192,175
Macoupin 60 38 60,593
Madison 166 108 206,861
Marion 26 14 9,561
Mason 40 30 67,603
Massac 0 0 0
McDonough 1 0 0
Menard 12 7 7,286
Monroe 2 0 0
Montgomery 25 15 17,679
Morgan 17 13 $25,480
Moultrie 13 4 6,064
Perry 10 3 3,226
Piatt 7 6 9,724
Pike 9 5 9,212
Pope 10 0 0
Pulaski 11 8 13,454
Randolph 12 5 7,650
Richland 26 19 36,260
Saline 25 10 10,023
Sangamon 238 160 253,590
Schuyler 14 8 11,937
Scott 15 11 18,815
Shelby 26 9 13,331
St. Clair 998 607 722,151
Union 90 31 52,407
Vermilion 50 38 52,825
Wabash 7 3 8,251
Washington 3 0 0
Wayne 59 10 8,189
White 14 9 17,964
Williamson 7 3 5,464

Last Modified: Tuesday, 19-Aug-2003 16:04:53