Federal Aid Programs for Arkansas Disaster Recovery
Release Date: April 9, 2008
Release Number: 1751-008
» More Information on Arkansas Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Federal disaster aid programs provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are available under a presidential disaster declaration to eligible residents living in Baxter, Benton, Independence, Jackson, Lawrence, Logan, Madison, Marion, Randolph, Stone and Woodruff.
If you don't have access to your home or the place you rented is uninhabitable because of flooding that occurred in March and April, you may request reimbursement for temporary housing. FEMA is making every effort to locate possible rental resources in or around disaster-stricken areas.
FEMA utilizes the Internet, local housing authorities and public sector property management offices to locate possible rental resources in or around disaster-stricken areas. A list of possible rental resources is then compiled, which includes apartments, condominiums, rental houses and privately-owned mobile home parks. A team of FEMA housing specialists is then deployed to verify all rental resources.
To access all of the programs, including rental assistance for temporary housing, you must register by calling FEMA's Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 or go to FEMA's Web site at www.fema.gov. The toll-free telephone numbers are available daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (CDT). Have your Social Security number, current mailing address, address of the damaged property and homeowner's insurance information if you have insurance. The deadline to register for assistance due to flooding is May 27.
If you are not the homeowner, you must have documentation that you are legally authorized to act for the homeowner.
After registering, you will receive a registration packet. Fill out and return all of the paper work including the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) application. Homeowners and renters who receive a disaster loan application should complete and return it to the SBA, even if they are not sure if they will need or want a loan. If the SBA cannot approve your application, in most cases, they refer you to FEMA's Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program for possible additional assistance.
Assistance is based on need, and the laws that govern various disaster assistance programs. By law, federal aid cannot duplicate assistance for losses paid under insurance or other sources. However, if a home is underinsured or uninsured, the homeowner may still be eligible for disaster assistance if the insurance proceeds are less than the maximum amount of assistance FEMA can authorize. It does not pay deductibles.
The types of assistance provided depend on many factors, such as whether a home was damaged or destroyed, or whether the applicant is a homeowner or a renter. For instance, a renter may be eligible to receive assistance for personal property losses, but not for damages to the real estate.
"The pattern of assistance after a disaster will vary widely," said Richard Griffin, state coordinating officer for the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM). "Assistance is provided on a case-by-case basis, on each individual's application and personal situation."
"You may not get the same amount or same type of disaster assistance as your neighbor," said Ken Riley, federal coordinating officer for FEMA's disaster recovery in Arkansas. "There are many variables we take into consideration. In every case, we have to make a determination on what is needed and what we legally can provide," he added.
ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES CAN INCLUDE:
Temporary Housing
- Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable. Initial assistance may be provided for up to two 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.
Home Repairs and Household Items
- Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items not covered by insurance to make damaged dwellings safe, sanitary and functional.
Personal Property
- Grants to replace personal property and help meet transportation, clothing, tools used in commerce, and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance or other federal, state and charitable aid programs.
Other Needs Assistance
- Transportation
- Medical and dental bills
- Moving and storage fees
- Personal property repair or replacement
- Reimbursement for evacuation expenses, moving and storage
DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE (DUA)
Unemployment payments up to 26 weeks may be available for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. This assistance applies to people who work in the designated counties: Living in the designated county is not part of the qualifying criteria. For additional information residents should contact their county office of the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (ADWS).
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION LOANS
If you are a homeowner or renter, FEMA may refer you to the SBA. SBA disaster loans are the primary source of money to pay for repair or replacement costs not fully covered by insurance or other compensation.
SBA offers low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private non-profit organizations.
- Homeowners may borrow up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence.
- Homeowners and renters may borrow up to $40,000 to replace personal property.
- Businesses may borrow up to $1.5 million for any combination of property damage and economic injury.
- SBA offers low-interest working capital loans (called Economic Injury Disaster Loans) to small businesses having difficulty meeting obligations as a result of the disaster.
IRS ASSISTANCE
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is postponing until May 27 certain deadlines for taxpayers who reside or have a business in the disaster area. The postponement applies to return filing, tax payment and certain other time-sensitive acts otherwise due between March 18 and May 27.
The (IRS) allows underinsured or uninsured casualty losses that were suffered on home, personal property and household goods to be deducted on income tax returns. Amended returns may be filed for a previous year's filing so that disaster victims can receive a tax refund.
In addition, the IRS will waive the failure to deposit penalties for employment and excise deposits due on or after March 18 and on or before April 2, as long as the deposits are made by April 2.
IRS Publication 2194, Disaster Loss Kit for individuals, and Publication 2194-B, Disaster Loss Kit for businesses explains the process. If the taxpayer's 2007 federal income tax return has already been filed, a copy of that return will be helpful and, perhaps, necessary. If such a copy is unavailable, a copy can be obtained from the IRS by calling the IRS Disaster Assistance Hotline 1-866-562-5227 (Monday Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CST). Calling this number also will result in expedited assistance specifically for taxpayers impacted by disaster.
HOW TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Those residents and business owners in Baxter, Benton, Independence, Jackson, Lawrence, Logan, Madison, Marion, Randolph, Stone and Woodruff can begin the disaster application process by registering online at www.fema.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers are available daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (CDT). Applicants registering for aid should be prepared to provide basic information about themselves (name, permanent address, and phone number), insurance coverage and any other information to help substantiate losses. Provide banking information if you want direct deposit.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: Wednesday, 09-Apr-2008 10:56:44