Federal/State Team Makes Disaster Assistance Easy
Release Date: August 20, 2003
Release Number: 1476-38
» More Information on Indiana Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding
Most federal disaster assistance programs are designed to meet emergency needs in the form of disaster grants for immediate housing requirements and emergency repairs. These programs are meant to help people begin their recovery; they are not designed to return people's lives to their pre-disaster conditions.
By contrast, low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) help homeowners, renters and business owners repair or replace their disaster-related damages. SBA is the primary source of long-term disaster recovery loans for homeowners, renters, and businesses of all sizes.
Understanding the steps of the federal/state recovery process can help people reduce the confusion brought on by disaster, sort out the information available, and make the decisions required to begin rebuilding lives.
President Bush issued a major disaster declaration on July 11 for Individual Assistance in 34 counties initially. Joint damage assessments were requested by the state and six additional counties were added on July 17. Similar procedures were followed last week, which led to the August 18 addition of Lake, Porter and Vanderburgh counties. The declaration covers eligible damages that occurred between July 4 and August 6 as a result of the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding. The deadline to call and apply is Tuesday, September 9.
APPLYING FOR FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE
- The only way to apply for federal assistance is to call the special toll-free number at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairment. Both phone lines are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and multilingual operators are available when necessary.
- Your call is confidential under the Privacy Act of 1974, and the information will be used only to determine what type of assistance is most appropriate.
- This call is your application and usually takes only 15-20 minutes to complete. You will be asked general information about your income, your insurance and how badly your residence or business was damaged. You should give details about your housing needs.
- You will be given an application number, which will help locate your application in the system in the future. Write this number down so you will have it handy.
THE ASSISTANCE PROCESS
- Within a few days, a FEMA inspector will call you to arrange an appointment to visit your damaged home or apartment.
- The inspection is mandatory. Before an application can be completed and approved, the location must be inspected to verify the nature and extent of damage suffered by those who have registered for federal disaster assistance.
- You will be asked to sign a document stating that you were lawfully present in the U.S. at the time of the disaster. You will need to present proper identification.
- Inspectors will be able to show you official identification to prove their identity. If an inspector asking for access to your home cannot show you a photo ID, do not let them into your home and call your local law enforcement agency. Damage inspectors do not recommend repairs or charge for their services.
- If you qualify for FEMA Individuals and Households Program, you will receive a check and separate letter explaining how you may use the check.
- This U.S. Government check may be used for rental assistance if your home or apartment is unlivable because of the disaster. You may get checks from other programs later.
- Homeowners may use FEMA housing repair grants for essential repairs to make the residence safe, secure and sanitary. The housing repair grant is only for repairs to make primary rooms habitable, such as the bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom.
- FEMA assistance does not make you whole again, but we can give you a helping hand on the road to recovery.
THE SBA PROCESS
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) may send you a loan application after you make that first call to 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1 800 462-7585 to apply.
- It is very important to complete and return this application. If you do not fill out and return the SBA application, consideration of other assistance to you will be delayed.
- You can receive face-to-face help in filling out the SBA loan application at any Disaster Recovery Center or SBA Workshop. For the nearest location, call the SBA Helpline at 1-800-359-2227.
- SBA low-interest disaster loans are for renters, homeowners, landlords, business owners and non-profit organizations that suffered damage or loss due to the disaster. Interest rates can be as low as 2.812 percent for homeowners and renters and 2.953 percent for businesses. Loan terms on all loans can be up to 30 years.
- Qualified homeowners can borrow up to $200,000 for real estate repairs. Renters and homeowners may qualify to borrow up to $40,000 for replacement of disaster-damaged personal property.
- Businesses and non-profit organizations may apply for up to $1.5 million for losses not fully covered by insurance.
- SBA loans are made for the repair or replacement of real estate or personal property. You may borrow up to 20% more to spend on things that will help keep your damage from occurring again.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE THAT ARE PROVIDED:
- TEMPORARY HOUSING -- Money to rent a different place to live or a temporary housing unit, when rental properties are not available.
- REPAIR -- Money for homeowners to repair damage from the disaster that is not covered by insurance. The goal is to make the damaged home safe and sanitary. The homeowner may need to apply for an SBA low-interest disaster loan before receiving assistance.
- OTHER NEEDS ASSISTANCE -- Money for necessary and serious needs caused by the disaster. This includes medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, and other expenses that FEMA approves.
FEMA INFORMATION
After you have applied for assistance, the FEMA Disaster Application and Information Services line, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 is a very useful resource. You may ask about insurance programs, the status of your application or how money from various assistance programs may be used.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 20-Aug-2003 11:16:00