Application Period Extended, $62.7 Million Disaster Aid Now Approved
Release Date: August 1, 2008
Release Number: 1768-118
» More Information on Wisconsin Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Madison, Wis. -- The application deadline has been extended from Wednesday, Aug. 13 toMonday, September 15 for damages caused by storms and flooding from June 5 to July 24.Residents and business owners now have an additional 33 days to apply for federal and state disaster assistance grants and low interest disaster loans.
To date, more than $43 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster assistance grants have been disbursed. When U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low interest disaster loans are factored in, total disaster relief is now $62.7 million.
"With more than a hundred registrations still being filed daily, this extension will give those with damages and still waiting for insurance determinations extra time to apply for aid," said Dolph Diemont, FEMA's federal coordinating officer in Wisconsin. "Our goal is to reach and register all residents with disaster related losses."
"There still may be some who don't understand how we can help them recover," said Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Johnnie Smith. "We urge these people to register and begin the recovery process now."
Recovery summary as of close of business July 31:
- $38.4 million in Individual Assistance has been distributed in FEMA grants for temporary housing and repair and replacement of storm-damaged housing (see Attachment 1 for eligible applicant numbers and disaster assistance by counties).
- $5 million has been provided in FEMA grants for other disaster needs such as transportation, medical and dental expenses, moving and storage fees, and replacement or repair of personal property.
- $19.3 million has been approved by SBA in low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters and business owners.
- 36,648 residents have registered for assistance in the 30 Wisconsin counties declared eligible for individual disaster aid.
- 33,116 home inspections have been completed.
- 8,636 residents have been advised by FEMA mitigation specialists on flood insurance, rebuilding to reduce future disaster damage, health and safety issues, and state and federal aid programs.
- 9,101 individuals have visited Wisconsin Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs). There are four centers operating as of Monday, Aug. 4.
Residents of Jefferson and Rock counties have until 7 p.m. on Saturday Aug. 2, to visit a nearby DRC. These centers have met the immediate needs of disaster-affected residents in these areas and are closing. These centers will reopen as SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Centers on Aug. 4 (see Attachment 3).
Residents may visit any of the remaining four DRCs for assistance with applications and for information on federal and state disaster aid programs (see Attachment 2 for DRC locations and hours).
Homeowners, renters and business owners can visit any of the nine SBA centers currently open in Columbia, Fond du Lac, Grant, Jefferson, Milwaukee, Sauk, Rock and Waukesha counties (see Attachment 3 for locations and hours).
Residents can register or update their information by calling the toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairment. Lines are open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. CDT. Residents also may register online 24 hours a day until further notice at www.fema.gov.
Homeowners, renters and business owners can receive information about SBA disaster loans and obtain help with the application process by calling the SBA at 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339, by visiting the SBA Web site at www.sba.gov, or by talking to an SBA customer service representative at any DRC, Disaster Loan Outreach Center or Business Recovery Center.
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: Monday, 04-Aug-2008 08:22:06