State/Federal Aid Programs For May 2 Storms
Release Date: May 22, 2008
Release Number: 1758-002FactSheet
» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes
The following is a summary of disaster assistance programs made available under President Bushs major disaster declaration of May 20 for Arkansas severe storms, flooding and tornadoes of May 2.
Assistance for affected individuals and families may include:
- Rental payments for temporary housing for those who cannot live in their homes. Initial assistance may be provided for up to three months for homeowners and at least one month for renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements.
- Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance.
- Grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.
- Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as those who are self-employed.
- Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $1.5 million for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance.
- SBA loans to $1.5 million for small businesses that have suffered disaster-related cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the disaster's adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property loss loan cannot exceed a total of $1.5 million.
Assistance for the state and affected local governments may include:
- Reimbursement of costs for emergency protective measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health.
- Assistance with costs of debris removal and restoration or replacement of disaster-damaged public facilities.
- Funding for Public Assistance includes a cost share of 75 percent FEMA, with the state of Arkansas splitting the remaining 25 percent with the applicant (12.5 percent each).
- Eligible applicants for Public Assistance include:
- State or state agency;
- Local government, such as city, county, or town;
- Native American tribes;
- Other state political subdivisions, such as a special district; or
- Public entities and rural unincorporated communities provided that an application is submitted on their behalf by a political subdivision of the state
Certain private non-profit organizations may also receive assistance. Eligible private non-profits include educational, utility, emergency, medical, rehabilitation, and temporary or permanent custodial care facilities (including those for the aged and disabled), and other facilities that provide services of a governmental nature to the general public.
How to apply for assistance:
- Disaster-affected residents and business owners in the counties of Benton, Cleburne, Conway, Crittenden, Grant, Lonoke, Mississippi, Pulaski, Saline, and Van Buren can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily.
- Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, damaged residence address, current address, phone number, insurance coverage) and any other information to help substantiate losses.
- Application procedures for local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials.
Last Modified: Friday, 23-May-2008 09:14:55