Governor Culver and FEMA Announce Disaster Assistance Exceeds $512 Million 

Release Date: September 5, 2008
Release Number: 1763-181

» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Disaster assistance approved for residents and governments in the State of Iowa has reached more than $512 million, according to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Rebuild Iowa Office officials.

"Today, Iowa has met another important milestone in our common efforts in bringing needed resources to communities and families statewide," Iowa Governor Chet Culver said today. "To date, our administration has successfully fought for and received over 500 million dollars in federal money for Iowa. With this announcement, I want to thank all Iowans for their hard work, their resilience, and dedication to the state we all love. Together, we will rebuild Iowa safer, stronger, and better than before."

I thank Iowans for all of their hard work as we move through this recovery process and want them to know this office will work for every Iowan," Culver said.

The FEMA/State Individuals and Households Program (IHP) have approved 23,358 households for $127.2 million. The IHP consists of Housing Assistance (HA) grants and Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grants to renters and homeowners with eligible, disaster-related damages.

FEMA Housing Assistance, one part of the IHP, has approved 21,854 households for $112.4 million.   HA provides rental assistance grants to homeowners and renters who cannot or should not live in their disaster-damaged homes and grants to homeowners to make an owner-occupied structure livable.

The State/FEMA ONA program, the other part of IHP, has approved 7,890 households for $14.8 million.   ONA provides grants directly to those affected with eligible, disaster-related funeral, dental and medical expenses.  For personal possessions, transportation and other essential need losses, those affected must first receive a decline from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for a low-interest disaster loan.

SBA has approved low interest disaster loans totaling $211.2 million.  Under a presidential disaster declaration, SBA provides loans to renters, homeowners and businesses of all sizes. Homeowners and renters who receive a disaster loan application should complete and return it to SBA, even if they are not sure if they will need to want a loan.  If SBA cannot approve an application, in most cases the applicant is referred to the FEMA/State Other Needs Assistance program for possible additional assistance.

The FEMA Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) program has disbursed $500,000 to 447 applicants.   Under a presidential disaster declaration, DUA makes unemployment assistance available to those not eligible, such as the self-employed and farm workers, for the regular unemployment program.

The State/FEMA Public Assistance program has obligated $173.6 million to the state for reimbursements for government related, eligible expenses in the area of emergency response measures, debris removal and repair or restoration of disaster damaged public infrastructure.  Certain non-profits providing essential services also may be eligible for reimbursement under this program.

The deadline to register for state and federal disaster recovery disaster assistance is September 29, 2008.  Call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585 or visit FEMA.gov.  Iowans who suffered losses of costs from the tornadoes and flooding that affected Iowa between May 25 and August 13 may be eligible.

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: Tuesday, 09-Sep-2008 14:52:21