Aid for New Hampshire Recovery Reaches $9.5 Million 

Release Date: June 27, 2007
Release Number: 1695-029

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PORTSMOUTH, N.H. -- In the two months since New Hampshire received a Presidential disaster declaration, more than $9.5 million in federal and state disaster aid to help in recovery from April's nor'easter has been approved for residents and communities, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM).

In total, 1,920 households from the six counties designated for disaster assistance for individuals (Belknap - 117, Grafton - 83, Hillsborough - 545, Merrimack - 242, Rockingham - 566, and Strafford - 367) applied for assistance.

Under the Individuals and Households Program, $2.9 million has been approved for housing assistance to cover rental assistance, temporary lodging, and grants for home repairs not covered by insurance. In addition, $255,780 was approved for personal property loss, medical or dental costs and other significant disaster-related expenses.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) totaling $3.7 million have been approved for 85 homeowners and 8 business owners, with 25 loan applications pending. The SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center in Manchester will close tomorrow, June 28, at 5 p.m.

FEMA's Public Assistance program continues to assist long-term recovery in all New Hampshire counties. So far, $2.7 million in Public Assistance has been obligated for nearly 400 projects to reimburse local governments, state agencies and certain private nonprofits. This program provides funding for eligible costs incurred for emergency protective services, debris removal and the repair and rebuilding of public infrastructure.

The deadline for individuals to apply for disaster assistance was yesterday, but recovery information is still available for anyone who has questions about disaster assistance or who wants to check on the status of an application. The FEMA Helpline number is 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY-1-800-462-7585 for those with speech or hearing impairment. Helpline hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

For questions regarding SBA disaster loans, call 1-800-659-2955 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, or 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturdays. Residents with Internet access may go to www.fema.gov, where recovery information is also available.

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, 27-Jun-2007 14:37:16