Disaster Aid For May Storms Reaches $2.5 Million
$61,000 is obligated for Public Assistance
Release Date: June 20, 2008
Release Number: 1758-040
» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management announce that $1.5 million has been approved for disaster housing and $271,000 for other disaster-related needs for those affected by the severe storms, flooding and tornadoes that occurred May 2-12.
Following is a summary of state and federal disaster recovery information through close of business June 12.
- 1,238 individuals and households have applied for disaster assistance.
- $1.5 million in Housing Assistance has been approved for rental or temporary lodging and housing repair.
- $271,000 in Other Needs Assistance has been approved for personal property loss, medical costs and other serious disaster-related expenses not covered by insurance.
- 746 home inspections have been completed.
- 880 visits to Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) have been made by disaster-affected residents seeking recovery information.
- Public Assistance grants totaling $61,000 have been obligated to date in response to Requests for Public Assistance (RPAs) from public entities (counties, cities, and private, non-profit organizations that provide essential public services).
- The SBA has approved $745,000 in low-interest disaster loans to Arkansas residents and businesses. The SBA provides low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, non-profit organizations and businesses of all sizes that suffered damage from the May 2-12 storms.
Individuals who have become unemployed as a direct result of the March and April severe storms, flooding and tornadoes may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). So far, six applications for DUA have been received with funding of $2,652. Deadlines for DUA in Arkansas counties are the following:
- Residents in Arkansas and Phillips counties must file by June 26, 2008.
Residents of the declared counties who had losses from the storms may amend their federal income tax returns for the year 2007, filed this year, to reflect all or part of their loss, or they may include the deductions in returns to be filed by April 15, 2009.
To learn more about claiming disaster losses, ask the IRS for its "Disaster Losses Kit for Individuals" (Publication 2194). The kit contains all the IRS forms and instructions necessary to file a disaster loss claim. Business owners should ask for Public 2194-B, which has specific instructions for businesses.
To get a copy of the disaster kit, any other IRS form or information, call 1-866-562-5227 or visit the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov. Forms and publications are also available at local IRS tax assistance centers.
Arkansans who live in Arkansas, Benton, Cleburne, Conway, Crittenden, Grant, Lonoke, Mississippi, Phillips, Pulaski, Saline and Van Buren counties who suffered damages and who have not registered yet, may call: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily. Applicants also can register online at www.fema.gov.
The deadline to register for assistance is July 21 for the May 2-12 severe storms.
FEMA coordinates the Federal government's 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 terrorism.
Last Modified: Friday, 20-Jun-2008 16:41:32