Nearly $385,000 in Individual and Family Grants Approved 

Release Date: May 6, 1999
Release Number: 1270-13

» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms and Flooding

ST LOUIS, Mo. -- Nearly $385,000 in grants have been approved for eligible individuals and families in Madison County, Missouri who need help recovering from damages that occurred when severe storms and flooding hit the area in early April.

State and federal disaster recovery officials announced that $384,877 in grants have been mailed by the State of Missouri to persons who have serious disaster-related needs that are not covered by private insurance or other disaster assistance programs.

"The Individual and Family Grant (IFG) program is a safety net for people who have used all other means of assistance and still have financial needs due to the flooding, that they can't meet," said Carol Coleman, federal coordinating officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Additional grants will be approved for Madison County as well as the residents of four newly designated counties -- Andrew, Iron, Macon and Osage-- who are eligible for the program, according to officials with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

"The amount of the grant depends on the unmet needs of the applicant," said SEMA Director Jerry Uhlmann. "Obviously, we've been able to help a lot of people so far with needs that haven't been covered through other disaster programs."

IFG grants are awarded to eligible persons whose disaster-related expenses are not paid through private insurance or other assistance programs and who are unable to repay a disaster loan. IFG funds can target disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs and cover an array of home repair, furniture, major appliance, medical, dental, funeral and transportation costs.

The program is funded on a cost-share basis - 75% by FEMA and 25% by the state - and is administered by the State of Missouri.

Residents, business owners, farmers and ranchers in five Missouri counties now are eligible for disaster assistance because of storms from April 3-14. To register for assistance, residents and business owners must first call a toll-free registration line, 1-800-462-9029. Hearing- or speech-impaired persons can call (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Calls should be made from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Last Modified: Thursday, 18-Dec-2003 10:00:30