Hurricane Survivors Have Only A Few Days Left To Apply For Disaster Assistance - Deadline Is April 10
Release Date: April 5, 2006
Release Number: 1606-183
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AUSTIN, Texas -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is encouraging survivors of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to register for disaster assistance by April 10, 2006. The deadline is important for anyone planning to take advantage of FEMA's programs to assist individuals and households.
Disaster assistance eligibility is determined on a case-by-case basis and may include:
- Rental assistance.
- Grants to help pay for minor home repairs.
- Grants to replace furniture and other personal property not covered by insurance or other sources, for both homeowners and renters.
- Grants to cover serious needs and necessary expenses caused by the disaster and not covered by insurance or other sources.
- Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to homeowners or renters covering uninsured or underinsured losses to real estate and personal property and loans to businesses (including nonprofit organizations) for physical damage and economic injury loss.
- Other assistance, such as free crisis counseling and free legal aid.
In the event you applied for assistance and were denied, please read the guidelines for appeals that are found in the Help After a Disaster, Applicant's Guide To The Individuals & Households Program. This handbook is sent to everyone who registers with FEMA. An explanation of the denial reasons also can be found in this booklet.
Individuals who may have registered with the Red Cross also should register with FEMA. The toll-free registration number is 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech- and hearing-impaired. Information is available in multiple languages.
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 11:19:56