Only One Month Left to Apply for Assistance
Disaster Aid Hits $7.5 Million
Release Date: March 6, 2008
Release Number: 1744-041
» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- One month after President Bush declared a major disaster due to the severe storms and tornadoes of Feb. 5 - and with only one month remaining for those affected to register for disaster assistance - aid to Arkansans has reached $7.5 million ($7,475,005), state and federal disaster-recovery officials said today.
"More than 1,600 individuals and households have applied for aid since the declaration," said Richard Griffin, state coordinating officer for the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM). "But it's important that others who may qualify for assistance realize that time is running out. There are only a few more weeks left to apply."
Tuesday, April 8 is the last day individuals can apply for FEMA assistance under the Feb. 7 disaster declaration.
The presidential declaration authorized 10 counties to receive disaster aid for individuals: Baxter, Conway, Izard, Marion, Pope, Randolph, Sharp, Stone, Union and Van Buren. Homeowners, renters and business owners in those counties who suffered damage or financial loss from the Feb. 5 storms and tornadoes can apply for disaster assistance by registering with FEMA. They can do so online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with speech or hearing impairments can call 1-800-462-7585 (TTY). FEMA operators are available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CST Monday through Friday.
"Even if you are not sure you'll be eligible, you should go ahead and make the call,' said Federal Coordinating Officer Ken Riley of FEMA. "Don't disqualify yourself from assistance by not registering."
Following are highlights of disaster relief efforts through March 5 reported by officials of ADEM, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
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1,603 individuals and households from counties eligible for individual assistance have applied for disaster aid.
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$1.8 million ($1,895,660) in Housing Assistance has been approved to cover rental assistance, temporary lodging and housing repair and replacement assistance.
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$655,388 in Other Needs Assistance has been approved to cover personal property loss, medical costs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance.
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2,116 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) have been made by people affected by the disaster to meet with recovery experts there.
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850 home inspections have been completed.
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Public Assistance grants totaling nearly $300,000 ($297,357) have been obligated to date in response to 37 Requests for Public Assistance (RPA's) from public entities (counties; cities; and private, non-profit organizations that provide essential public services. An electrical power cooperative is an example of an eligible private, non-profit organization.)
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The SBA has approved $4.6 million ($4,612,800)in low-interest disaster loans to Arkansas residents and businesses. The SBA provides low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, non-profit organizations and businesses of all sizes.
- 44 applications for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) have been received and initial funding of $13,800 has been requested by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (DWS). The Arkansas DUA program, funded by FEMA and administered by DWS, provides benefits from $128 to a maximum of $400 a week for up to 26 weeks for individuals unemployed as a direct result of the disaster. People living or working in the presidentially declared counties who have temporarily lost jobs and do not qualify for regular unemployment benefits (such as self-employed individuals) may be eligible for DUA. The deadlines to apply for DUA are March 13 for Baxter, Pope, Sharp, Stone and Van Buren counties; March 14 for Conway, Izard and Randolph counties; and March 24 for Marion and Union counties.
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: Friday, 07-Mar-2008 08:19:09