Federal/State Disaster Aid For Counties Added To Isabel Disaster
Release Date: October 4, 2003
Release Number: 1490-31
» More Information on North Carolina Hurricane Isabel
The counties added are Franklin, Granville, Greene, Lenoir, Nash, Person, Vance, Warren, Wayne and Wilson.
Residents who had damage from the hurricane are urged to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The number for those with speech or hearing impairments is 1-800-462-7585. Both numbers are available 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.
"We want the citizens of North Carolina to know that a wide array of programs are available to help them recover from the aftermath of Isabel," said FEMA official Gracia Szczech, federal coordinating officer for the disaster. "We also want them to know that help is just a phone call away."
Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted.
Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include:
- Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance is provided for one or two months for homeowners and renters. Assistance may be extended if requested after the initial period based on a review of individual applicant requirements. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
- Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional. (Source: FEMA funded and administered.)
- 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. (Source: FEMA funded at 75 percent of total eligible costs.)
- 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 self-employed individuals. (Source: FEMA funded; state administered.)
- Low-interest loans of up to $200,000 to repair disaster damaged homes. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to replace personal property. Interest rates for homeowners and renters can be as low as 2.562 percent. Actual loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
- Low-interest loans to businesses and non-profit organizations of up to $1.5 million are available to repair damage to real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, etc., and for leasehold improvements. Working capital assistance is also available through SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. A business need not have physical damage to be eligible for economic injury assistance. Interest rates for businesses can be as low as 3.1 percent. (Source: U.S. Small Business Administration.)
- Loans up to $500,000 for farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators to cover production and property losses, excluding primary residence. (Source: Farm Service Agency, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.)
- Other relief programs: Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; income tax assistance for filing casualty losses; advisory assistance for legal, veterans benefits and social security matters.
Assistance for the State and Affected Local Governments Can Include as Required:
- Payment of 75 percent of the eligible costs for removing debris from public areas, for emergency measures taken to save lives and protect property and public health, and for repairing roads, flood control works, public buildings and equipment, public utilities, and publicly owned parks and recreation areas. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
How to Apply for Assistance:
- Those in the counties designated for assistance to affected residents and business owners can begin the disaster application process immediately, by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired, from 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week until further notice. Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent 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.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Monday, 06-Oct-2003 08:57:58