Arizona Disaster Recovery 30-Day Update Disaster Aid Reaches $21 Million
Release Date: July 25, 2002
Release Number: 1422-31
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Mesa, AZ -- The state of Arizona and the federal government have made available over $21 million to the citizens of Apache, Coconino, Gila and Navajo counties and the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in the state of Arizona. This disaster assistance was made possible through the June 25 disaster declaration made by President George Bush in response to the Rodeo-Chediski fire beginning on June 18.
This amount does not include costs to help the state and local governments pay for repairs to roads, bridges, buildings, equipment and eligible costs for debris removal.
Over 8,100 residents have registered for disaster assistance since President Bush declared the fire as a major disaster. Disaster assistance has been approved as follows:
- Disaster housing checks have been issued to 500 households totaling
$281,347 to assist with temporary housing and minor home repairs. Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) inspectors have completed 2,253 inspections.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $544,800
in low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses
of all sizes to repair or replace damaged property.
- Arizona officials are currently processing 1,601 requests for Individual
and Family Grant (IFG) assistance and have approved requests for $225,349.
- Help Centers have seen 5,299 victims seeking information including
answers to questions about their disaster assistance applications.
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance is still available through the Arizona
Department of Economic Security for those who lost income because of
the disaster. The deadline for filing an application is August 3.
- In addition to the June 25 disaster declaration, Arizona has received federal assistance through Fire Management Assistance declarations. FEMA Fire Management Assistance Funds are made available to state and local governments, including Indian tribes, to reimburse for fire management suppression costs. Under these grants FEMA will pay 75 percent of eligible costs incurred by state and local governments in fighting the wildfires. A $20 million advance of theses funds was made available to the state to battle the wildfires.
FEMA's disaster assistance is intended to cover basic needs and necessary expenses and in most cases will not compensate individuals for their entire loss. For instance, federal law limits housing assistance to losses associated with a person's primary residence and precludes secondary homes. FEMA disaster assistance is like a safety net; it is intended to assist those affected by the disaster on their road to recovery.
The FEMA Helpline, at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY: 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing or speech impaired, has received 2,258 calls seeking information and answers to questions about their applications.
Individuals may still register for disaster assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free registration line at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY: 1-800-462-7585).
Last Modified: Thursday, 14-Aug-2003 11:04:36