Disaster Assistance For Illinois Residents Reaches $69 Million
Release Date: December 19, 2008
Release Number: 1800-048
» More Information on Illinois Severe Storms and Flooding
CHICAGO, Ill. -- More than $69 million in federal disaster assistance has been approved to help Illinois recover from September's flooding announced officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Homeowners, renters and businesses in Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, LaSalle, Peoria, Will and Woodford counties have been approved to receive $69,012,826.
"26,408 Illinois residents in nine counties have received individual disaster assistance," said Federal Coordinating Officer Libby Turner. "Along with our state and federal partners, the agency will continue our mission to help the people of Illinois toward a speedy recovery."
FEMA applicants can check on their application or update their contact information by calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 800-462-7585. The Helpline will remain open from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. CST, seven days a week until further notice.
"To date, 541 SBA low-interest disaster loans have been approved in the amount of $14,663,000 for affected victims," said Director Frank Skaggs, SBA Field Operations Center East. "We are pleased to get these loans approved so the residents and businesses of Illinois can start rebuilding and begin resuming their normal lives."
For questions regarding SBA loans, applicants can call 800-659-2955. Information about SBA low-interest disaster loans is available online at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
The following is a summary of recovery efforts as of the close of business, Thursday, Dec. 18:
- $48,115,937 has been approved for disaster housing assistance to help with temporary housing and home repairs while people rebuild or restore their damaged homes or to help renters whose rental units were damaged. $6,233,889 has been approved for other serious disaster-related needs, such as medical expenses, transportation or replacing lost personal property.
- $14,663,000 has been approved by the SBA in disaster loans to homeowners, renters and businesses, composed of 507 loans to homeowners and renters and 34 loans to businesses. SBA's low-interest disaster loans are the primary form of federal assistance for the long-term recovery of homeowners, renters and businesses of all sizes.
- 47,831 individuals and households have registered with FEMA for federal disaster assistance.
- 45,118 properties have been visited by FEMA-contracted inspectors to document storm and flood damage.
- 36,516 individuals and businesses have been issued SBA disaster assistance loan applications.
- 26,408 individuals and households have been approved for housing assistance and other needs assistance.
- 9,116 residents, 1,144 faith-based organizations, 3,255 businesses, 257 community-based organizations and 1,031 voluntary agencies have been visited by FEMA Community Relations (CR) Specialists. CR continues to meet with local government administrators, elected officials and emergency managers.
- 325 state agencies, local governments and private nonprofits have submitted Requests for Public Assistance that may cover emergency services, repair or replacement of facilities and infrastructure in 13 counties eligible for Public Assistance.
- 244 Public Assistance Kick-off Meetings have been completed in the 13 eligible counties which include: Bureau, Cass, Cook, DuPage, Greene, Grundy, Kendall, LaSalle, Macoupin, Montgomery, Scott, Will and Woodford.
The following is a county-by-county breakdown of assistance approved for FEMA's Individuals and Households Program (excluding SBA disaster loan data) as of close of business Thursday, Dec. 18:
| County | Households Approved | Amount Approved |
|---|---|---|
|
Cook |
23,595 |
$47,022,881 |
|
DeKalb |
153 |
$473,075 |
|
DuPage |
782 |
$2,328,929 |
|
Grundy |
62 |
$219,684 |
|
Kane |
325 |
$948,509 |
|
La Salle |
164 |
$913,741 |
|
Peoria |
634 |
$1,036,988 |
|
Will |
596 |
$1,161,786 |
|
Woodford |
97 |
$244,233 |
|
Totals |
26,408 |
$54,349,826 |
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 terror.
Last Modified: Monday, 22-Dec-2008 15:16:37