Nearly $6 Million in Assistance Sent to Indiana Disaster Victims
Release Date: October 27, 2006
Release Number: 1662-017
» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms and Flooding
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- In the four weeks after Lake and Vanderburgh counties were designated for federal-state disaster assistance for damages suffered as a result of the severe storms and flooding that occurred Sept. 12 - 14, more than 3,000 grants totaling $5.93 million have been issued, either by check or direct deposit, federal and state recovery officials announced today.
The following is a snapshot of disaster recovery operations, as of close of business Oct. 26:
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A total of 3,968 Lake and Vanderburgh county residents have registered for federal disaster assistance.
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Under the Individuals and Households Program, $5,610,125 in housing grants has been approved, with $5,504,884 of that total already disbursed. Disaster housing assistance comes in the form of grants for temporary housing needs and for homeowners to make essential repairs. This assistance serves as an interim solution for people's housing needs until long-term solutions are addressed, typically through insurance or low-interest disaster loans.
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A total of $443,064 in Other Needs Assistance (ONA) grants has been approved, with $432,840 of that total already disbursed. ONA provides for uninsured or under-insured disaster-related necessary expenses and serious needs, which may include grants for medical, dental, personal property, transportation and other expenses that FEMA approves.
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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved 57 low-interest disaster loans, totaling $1,641,800 , and issued 2,793 applications to homeowners and renters and 265 to businesses.
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So far, 3,401 inspections have been completed by trained FEMA housing inspectors.
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Disaster Recovery Centers in the affected areas have served 1,058 residents, providing information about disaster assistance, Internal Revenue Service (tax) issues, mental health counseling, ways to reduce damages from future storms and completing SBA disaster loan applications.
Help Still Available
The only way to apply for federal and state disaster assistance is to contact FEMA. Call FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 (for those with a speech or hearing impairment). Both numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available to answer calls. Residents with Internet access may register on the agency's Web site at www.fema.gov where valuable recovery information is also available.
Residents and business owners who previously registered with the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and any another voluntary agency or who have reported damage to county or local officials need to apply for federal and state assistance programs by calling FEMA's toll-free number or registering online.
The deadline to apply with FEMA is Tuesday, Dec. 5.
Update Information by Calling Helpline
Applicants may check on the status of applications and update their applications by calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 (for those with a speech or hearing impairment).
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)
DUA is available for residents of the designated counties who lost work as a direct result of the disaster and meet eligibility requirements. The program is administered by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (IDWD). Applications must be submitted no later than Friday, Nov. 10, 2006. Residents of Lake and Vanderburgh counties may file their DUA claims at the following locations:
Lake: Gary WorkOne, 1776 W. 37th Ave , Gary , IN 46409-1840 (219 981-1520) Hammond WorkOne, Columbia Plaza Center , 6431 Columbia Ave. , Hammond , IN 46320 (219-933-8332)
Vanderburgh: WorkOne Evansville, 700 E. Walnut St. , Evansville , IN 47713 (812-424-4473)
Disaster Legal Services
Volunteer attorneys are providing free, disaster-related legal assistance to individuals affected by the disaster. The service, coordinated through the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and FEMA, is available by calling 1-800-266-2581 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must complete and return them to SBA to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Friday, 27-Oct-2006 12:48:09