Nearly $1.9 Million In Disaster Funds Issued To Ice Storm Victims 

Release Date: February 26, 2002
Release Number: 1401-19

» More Information on Oklahoma Ice Storm

Oklahoma City, OK -- Almost 4,000 Oklahomans have been issued nearly $1.9 million in disaster housing grants, individual and family grants, and low-interest disaster loans, while more than 20,800 ice storm victims throughout the 45 designated counties have applied for disaster assistance.

According to figures released by the Oklahoma Department of Civil Emergency Management (ODCEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at the close of business on February 25, the following numbers of people have applied for or received assistance:

Disaster Food Stamps
Thursday, Feb. 28, will be the last day the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) will be accepting applications for Disaster Food Stamps. Applications are being accepted at the OKDHS County Offices in the 45 disaster-designated counties for a one-week period, Feb. 22 through Feb. 28. Check with the local office for extended hours of operations during this seven-day application period.

Four Joint Disaster Recovery Centers Still Open
Almost 4,000 individuals have visited one of the joint state/federal Disaster Recovery Centers still open to assist disaster victims. The temporary centers offer individuals a chance to meet face-to-face with representatives from various assistance agencies to find out more about disaster assistance and recovery programs. The centers are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, until further notice.

The centers are located at:

Disaster Housing Assistance
To date, 3,843 Oklahoma residents have been sent disaster housing grant checks, for a total of $1,559,175. Individuals and families whose permanent homes were damaged by the recent winter ice storm, may be eligible for Disaster Housing Assistance. This assistance may be used for alternate rental housing, essential emergency repairs to make a residence habitable, or mortgage assistance. These funds may also be used for projects to reduce the risk of future disaster damages.

U.S. Small Business Administration
The SBA has approved 53 low-interest disaster loans, totaling $163,000. Those totals include 44 home-renter loans for $125,800, seven business loans for $31,600, and two business economic injury loans for $5,600. Almost 10,000 loan packets have been issued, 6,927 loan applications to homeowners and renters and 2,587 to business owners. Officials urge applicants to complete their loan paperwork as soon as possible, even if they have not received a final settlement from their insurance company. If the loan application is not returned, it will delay other forms of disaster assistance. SBA representatives are available at all Disaster Recovery Centers for applicants who need assistance completing their loan paperwork.

Individual and Family Grant Program
So far, 122 Individual and Family Grants (IFG) have been issued, totaling $69,338. The IFG Program provides grants to individuals and families to meet serious disaster-related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance or other federal, state or voluntary agency disaster assistance programs. The program is administered by the state, with FEMA providing 75 percent of the funds and the remaining 25 percent coming from the state.

This program also provides assistance for those who purchased other equipment during power outages. The eligible items for assistance include chainsaws (up to $220), generators (up to $500), non-electric heaters (up to $150) and firewood (up to $100 per cord with a maximum of two cords) purchased during the incident or emergency period of Jan. 30 through Feb. 11.

Additionally, generator reimbursement assistance is available for those who experienced power outages beyond the incident period and purchased their generator after Feb. 11. In order to receive generator assistance (up to $500), victims will need a letter from their electric company stating that they had an extended power outage beyond Feb. 11.

Application Numbers Continue to Operate
Individuals, families, and business owners who suffered losses in the designated counties should apply for disaster assistance by calling FEMA's special toll-free number, 1-800-621-3362 (TTY 1 800 462-7585). These numbers are available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. The deadline to apply for disaster assistance is April 8.

Voluntary Agencies Still Providing Assistance

Victims Can Apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance  The Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program, which is administered by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, is available to help individuals who became unemployed as a direct result of the major disaster. Eligible persons include: self-employed agricultural and hourly workers; self-employed business people; business owners unable to provide services; and other unemployed workers who are out of work as a direct result of the disaster and who do not otherwise qualify for unemployment benefits. DUA applications will be taken for a 30-day period, ending March 13. To locate the nearest state employment office to file an application call 1-888-840-9675.

Crisis Counseling Program Available
People in the designated counties have seen their lives severely affected by the ice storms. The emotional needs often extend beyond the financial assistance FEMA provides to disaster victims to help them begin to rebuild their lives. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is staffing two toll-free hotlines to assist callers with mental health concerns related to the winter storm. Reach-Out at 1-800-522-9054 is a 24-hour service providing free information and referrals to appropriate help in or near the caller's community. The Teenline at 1-800-522-8336 is open from noon to midnight to provide a caring listener for teens and young adults with questions or concerns.

Disaster Assistance Application Totals by County
Updated February 25

County Application Recieved County Application Recieved

Alfalfa

31 Kiowa 308
Beaver 0 Lincoln 2
Beckham 103 Logan 811
Blaine 894 Major 211
Caddo 1,110 McClain 17
Canadian 2,453 Noble 51
Cimarron 0 0 Nowata 4
Cleveland 42 Oklahoma 2,496
Comanche 2 Osage 257
Creek 3 Pawnee 11
Custer 1,523 Payne 84
Dewey 106 Pottawatomie 3
Ellis 20 Roger Mills 22
Garfield 3,712 Rogers 0
Garvin 3 Stephens 2
Grady 204 Texas 2
Grant 295 Tillman 0
Greer 18 Tulsa 4
Harmon 0 Washington 50
Harper 16 Washita 767
Jackson 5 Woods 21
Kay 2,533 Woodward 103
Kingfisher 1,638    
       
TOTAL 20,837      

Last Modified: Monday, 25-Aug-2003 15:56:46