Hurricane Rita Disaster Assistance and Loans Top $866.7 Million; $672 Million in Public Assistance Reimbursed
Release Date: April 14, 2006
Release Number: 1606-193
» More Information on Texas Hurricane Rita
AUSTIN, Texas -- Families and individuals who suffered damage from Hurricane Rita have been approved to receive more than $866.7 million in assistance from the U. S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Recovery Services Summary as of April 13, 2006:
- 479,853 individuals have registered for Individual Assistance.
- $591,381,207 has been approved through the Individuals and Household Program. Of that, FEMA has provided $504,513,888 in Individual Assistance and $86,867,319 in Other Needs Assistance.
- $275,381,400 in loans has been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for individuals and businesses affected by Hurricane Rita in Texas .
- $4,972,483 has been disbursed in Disaster Unemployment Assistance; 7,740 claims have been approved. On March 6, President Bush signed legislation that extended the benefit period to June 3. Disaster Unemployment Assistance is traditionally available for a period of up to 13 weeks from the disaster declaration date.
- 424,218 visitors have been logged by the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC). There are five DRCs in Texas . Individuals affected by Hurricane Rita may go to any DRC to have questions answered about disaster assistance in person. To locate a DRC in your area call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 or TTY (800)462-7585 and select the helpline option.
- 345,613 home inspections have been requested. Of the 345,613 inspections issued, 99.9% have been completed and 278 inspections remain. There are 22 inspectors in the field. At the peak of operations, more than 900 inspectors were in the field.
- 4,798 applicants have requested travel trailers. Some 3,859 households have leased 4,125 units and 313 have been returned to FEMA from families no longer needing travel trailers for temporary housing. Accessible units with a wider entrance, handrails, and low-step tub entry also are available.
- $672 million in Public Assistance has been obligated to Texas by FEMA. The funds will be used by the State of Texas to reimburse local governments and agencies for eligible and documented debris removal, temporary sheltering, interim housing and emergency protective measures associated with Hurricane Rita.
Homeowners, renters and business owners who sustained damage from the hurricanes may register for State and federal disaster assistance by calling the FEMA tele-registration number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 800-462-7585 for the speech- or hearing-impaired, or Register Online.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 16-May-2006 10:19:16