Assistance to West Virginia Tops $5 Million
Release Date: April 25, 2003
Release Number: 1455-48
» More Information on West Virginia Severe Winter Storms
Charleston, WV - Financial assistance in the amount of $2.1 has been obligated to repair or replace disaster-damaged public facilities through Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Public Assistance program. The funds represent initial payments to the 170 units of government that have applied for assistance.
To qualify for public assistance funds, a Request for Public Assistance must be submitted to the West Virginia state Public Assistance Officer within 30 days of the date of declaration of a disaster or designation of an area. The form may be submitted by mail, by fax or electronically. Applicants may obtain a copy of the request from the West Virginia Office of Emergency Services by calling 304-722-7846 or through the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Public Assistance Program Web Site, (www.fema.gov).
The Public Assistance Program provides supplemental federal disaster grant assistance for the repair, replacement or restoration of disaster-damaged, publicly owned state and local government facilities, and the facilities of certain private non-profit organizations. The Federal share of assistance is 75 percent of the eligible cost for emergency measures and permanent restoration.
To be eligible, the work must be required as a direct result of the disaster and be located within the designated disaster area. Examples of emergency protective measures include search and rescue activities, debris removal and activation of emergency operation centers when determined to be in the public interest.
Projects classified as permanent work are designed to restore an eligible damaged facility to its pre-disaster condition. These projects may range from minor repairs to total replacement. Types of permanent work include:
Roads and bridges; Water control;Buildings and equipment; Utilities; and Other public facilities.
FEMA and West Virginia Office of Emergency Services officials continue response and recovery efforts for those affected by the severe winter storms of Feb. 16.
More than $3 million has been approved for the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) that includes Housing Assistance (HA) and Other Needs Assistance (ONA). HA may include lodging expense reimbursement, repair assistance and temporary rental assistance. ONA may include medical, dental and funeral expenses; furniture, clothing and some appliances; vehicle costs (up to state limits); and other eligible expenses.
County breakdown of IHP awards follows: Braxton, $30,360;Cabell, $275,480;Calhoun, $56,384; Fayette, $41,446;Greenbrier, $23,580;Harrison, $22,927;Jackson, $135,947;Kanawha, $285,762;Lewis, $12,332;Lincoln, $315,298;Logan, $59,878;Mason, $111,130;McDowell, $193,377;Mercer, $125,868;Mingo, $611,253;Monroe, $23,350;Nicholas, $47,340;Putnam, $35,011; Raleigh, $198,829;Roane, $62,828;Upshur, $8,327; Wayne, $226,478;Webster, $9,902; and Wyoming, $145,640.
The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved $656,500 for home and business loans.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 29-Apr-2003 10:24:28