Resources Available For Elderly And Disabled
Release Date: August 23, 2007
Release Number: 1712-045
» More Information on Oklahoma Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. -- Many resources are available to assist Oklahoma elderly, special needs individuals, residents, and business owners who are still recovering from the severe storms, flooding and tornadoes which occurred prior to July 25. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) reminds residents that getting help begins by filing an application for disaster assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Other assistance is available through a number of private, state and federal agencies.
If YOU know an elderly or disabled person or any other resident or business owner who was affected by the severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes prior to July 25 be sure to tell them to register for assistance by calling FEMAs toll-free registration number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585 for the hearing- or speech-impaired. Both numbers can be reached daily between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. local time. Individuals also may visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC), open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in many disaster-affected communities. The deadline for new applications for disaster assistance through FEMA is Sept. 5, 2007.
Now more than ever, our senior citizens and special needs individuals deserve special attention, said Fred W. Liebe, state coordinating officer. We dont want anyone left behind in terms of receiving the assistance they need to make it through these difficult times.
Federal Coordinating Officer Phil Parr said, If you know of any elderly or special needs persons who have not registered for assistance, help them call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. You can make a big difference in their recovery from the severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes. FEMA grants and Other Needs Assistance (ONA) are not counted as income and will not cause them to lose Social Security benefits, pay additional taxes, or give up income-based benefit programs.
Families can call the following organizations for more disaster recovery information:
- U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA Helpline 1-800-659-2955 offers low-interest disaster loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and non-profit organizations.
- Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, 405-557-7100 offers Disaster Unemployment Assistance to people who have lost their jobs due to the disaster.
- Crisis Counseling, Mental Health Reach Out Info/Referral Hotline, 1-800-522-9054 provides free crisis counseling and referrals to help relieve grieving, stress or emotional problems caused or aggravated by the disaster.
- Disaster Legal Services, Oklahoma Bar Association, 1-800-522-8065 or Local, 405-416-7000 for free legal advice to disaster victims and assistance with emergency legal questions.
- Internal Revenue Service, 1-800-829-1040 provides tax assistance and information on casualty losses that may be deducted on Federal Income tax returns.
- Oklahoma Dept. of Veterans Affairs, 1-888-655-2838 provides death benefits, pensions, insurance settlements and adjustments to home mortgages for veterans affected by disasters.
- Oklahoma Dept. of Human Services (DHS), 1-800-521-3646 for information and direction to a local county DHS office to receive food stamps.
- Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner, 1-800-522-0071 provides information and answers questions on insurance concerns.
- Area Agency on Aging (Oklahoma City), Senior Connection 405-943-4344 provides aging services.
- American Red Cross, 1-866-GET-INFO (1-866-438-4636) for emergency needs.
- Salvation Army, 405-840-0735 for emergency needs.
FEMA coordinates the federal governments 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, 24-Aug-2007 15:50:10