Escambia County Alabama Eligible For Individual Assistance
Release Date: July 11, 2005
Release Number: 1593-001
» More Information on Alabama Hurricane Dennis
ATLANTA Ga. -- Escambia County, AL today was declared eligible by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to receive individual assistance for those who suffered damages during Hurricane Dennis.
Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response and head of FEMA said with this declaration, after affected residents and businesses owners in the county with storm damages now can apply for federal aid to offset damage costs. FEMA previously declared the counties of Baldwin and Mobile eligible for individual assistance.
Brown reminded those with damages they can immediately make application for the federal aid by calling the FEMA toll-free registration line. That number is 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing or speech impaired. Those lines will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week until further notice. Affected residents and business owners can also register online at www.fema.gov.
A high volume of call is anticipated, and Brown asked that residents and owners of commercial businesses with only minor losses wait several days before calling to permit priority assistance be given to those with destroyed or heavily damaged homes and businesses. Applicants with insurance coverage should first contact their insurance companies or agent before reporting losses to FEMA. If necessary, they should request an advance or partial payment of their settlement.
Applicants should have a telephone number where they can be reached or receive a message when an inspector or others making follow-up calls need to contact them. They also should have their social security numbers available.
One of the basic assistance programs is for rental payments for temporary housing which may provide up to three months aid for homeowners and at least one month for renters.
There are grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items and grants to replace personal property and help meet medical, dental, funeral, transportation and other uninsured needs.
Unemployment up to 26 weeks for workers who temporarily lost job because of the disaster and who can’t qualify for state benefits is provided. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest loans on primary residences and business properties. Other SBA loan programs also are available.
Other relief programs include crisis counseling, income tax assistance, legal aid, veterans benefits and social security matters. Farmers, ranchers and aquaculture operators can receive loans to cover production and property losses, other than primary residences.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages the federal response and recovery efforts following an incident of national significance. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, workers with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 12-Jul-2005 14:15:52