FEMA Assistance Available For Residents, Businesses
Those With Minimal Damage Asked To Delay Calling To Give Urgent Requests Priority
Release Date: September 21, 2003
Release Number: HQ-03-208
Washington, D.C. - Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary for Emergency Preparedness and Response, urges those with minimal damage from Hurricane Isabel to wait a few days before calling to register for federal disaster aid now available for eligible individuals, families and businesses in Delaware. Waiting a few days to call will allow those with the most urgent needs and disaster damage to begin the disaster aid process first, Brown said. Those needing assistance have sixty days to apply.
"Given the extent of damage due to Isabel, we must focus first on life sustaining measures," said Brown. "If you have relatively minimal damage, please let those with greater need apply first. We will be here as long as necessary and waiting a few days to apply will not affect your access to federal aid."
After large disasters, operators for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) can receive thousands of calls an hour. Operators will be working seven days a week processing calls until all applicants have been assisted. Disaster victims register for assistance by calling a toll-free number: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The number for speech and hearing impaired individuals is: 1-800-462-7585.
Applicants are also urged to contact and file the necessary claims with their insurance company before applying to FEMA. FEMA does not cover damage or losses already covered by private insurance. Residents with immediate needs for food and shelter should contact their local American Red Cross or emergency management officials.
Federal disaster assistance available for residents and businesses in the affected counties includes:
- Temporary Housing Assistance: The Temporary Housing Assistance Program is administered by FEMA and provides financial assistance to make limited repairs to homes that are damaged by disasters. The program may also provide rental assistance to those whose home is more substantially damaged. The type of assistance is determined by FEMA, based on criteria that assure that the option chosen is appropriate to the individual's need and can be delivered quickly.
- Disaster Loans: The Small Business Administration (SBA) can make federally subsidized low-interest loans to repair or replace homes, personal property or businesses, which sustained damage, not covered by insurance. For many persons this loan program is the primary form of disaster assistance they receive.
- Other Needs Assistance Grants: This program is a joint effort between FEMA and the state to provide grants to those individuals or families who are not eligible for an SBA loan. The program assists with repair or replacement of personal property, including such things as clothing, appliances and furniture. In addition, some assistance from this program may be available to help cover transportation, funeral, or medical/dental expenses.
Other key programs an individual assistance designation can provide include emergency loans for farmers from the U. S. Department of Agriculture, crisis counseling, disaster unemployment assistance, and tax relief from the IRS.
The federal programs available are not intended as a substitute for insurance. They exist to provide basic shelter and personal property needs. Vacation and secondary homes are not eligible for this assistance. FEMA programs work with individuals and families only; assistance for businesses is available through SBA.
For more information about federal disaster aid, go to www.fema.gov. For information about American Red Cross activities, go to www.redcross.org.
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: Sunday, 21-Sep-2003 15:18:38