Federal Aid Programs For Pennsylvania Disaster Recovery
Release Date: September 27, 2003
Release Number: HQ-03-218FactSheet
Following is a summary of key federal disaster aid programs that can be made available as needed and warranted under President Bush's major disaster declaration issued today for Pennsylvania.
Assistance for Affected Individuals and Families Can Include as Required:
- Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable.
Initial assistance is provided for up to three months for homeowners and at
least one month for 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; 25 percent funded by the state.)
- 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 to cover residential losses not fully compensated by
insurance. Loans available up to $200,000 for primary residence; $40,000 for
personal property, including renter losses. Loans available up to $1.5 million
for business property losses not fully compensated by insurance. (Source:
U.S. Small Business Administration.)
- Loans up to $1.5 million for small businesses that have suffered disaster-related
cash flow problems and need funds for working capital to recover from the
disaster's adverse economic impact. This loan in combination with a property
loss loan cannot exceed a total of $1.5 million. (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:
- Payment of 75 percent of the approved costs for hazard mitigation projects undertaken by the state and local governments to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural or technological disasters. (Source: FEMA funded, state administered.)
How to Apply for Assistance:
- Affected residents and business owners in Chester County can begin the disaster application process starting tomorrow by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 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.
Last Modified: Thursday, 23-Feb-2006 15:28:24