Federal/State Team Makes Disaster Assistance Easy
Release Date: April 30, 2004
Release Number: 1513-007
» More Information on Illinois Severe Storms and Tornadoes
Note to Editors: Federal and state agencies are working in partnership to help Illinois residents following the recent severe storms and tornadoes. They need simple, easy to understand information, which answers their most basic questions. 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.
OTTAWA, Ill. - Most federal disaster assistance programs are designed to meet emergency needs in the form of disaster grants for immediate housing requirements, emergency repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. 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 disaster loans are the primary source of Federal assistance in the long-term recovery efforts of homeowners, renters and businesses.
Insurance is the best protection against any disaster losses. Those who suffered damages and have insurance should contact their insurance agent immediately. Then, if they find that they are underinsured or have unmet needs, they should call and apply for federal disaster assistance.
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. daily and multilingual operators are available when necessary.
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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.
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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
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Within a few days, a FEMA inspector will call you to arrange an appointment to visit your damaged home or apartment. 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.
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For those with insurance, FEMA inspections are not necessary until after your insurance settlement is complete and underinsured or uninsured eligible losses are identified. You still may be eligible for other types of disaster assistance, such as Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling and Disaster Tax Assistance. Information about these programs is available at Disaster Recovery Centers or by calling the toll-free application numbers.
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At the inspection, 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.
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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.
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If you qualify for FEMA's Individuals and Households Program, you will receive a grant check and separate letter explaining how you may use the check. You may get checks from other programs later.
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You may be provided a grant for rental assistance if your home or apartment is unlivable because of the disaster.
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Homeowners may use FEMA housing repair grants for essential repairs to make the residence safe and sanitary. The housing repair grant is only for repairs to make primary rooms functional, such as the bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom.
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Disaster Recovery Centers may be located in your area to provide a place you can ask questions and talk with disaster recovery specialists face-to-face. Call 1 800 621-FEMA (3362) for locations. These centers are also a resource for anyone, even those who did not suffer damage from this disaster, to find out more about cost-effective measures to reduce potential losses from future disasters.
- FEMA assistance does not make you whole again, but we can give you a helping hand on the road to recovery.
THE SBA PROCESS
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After you make that first call to 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1 800 462-7585 to apply, you may receive a loan application package, in the mail, from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
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If you receive an application package, it is very important to complete and return it, even if you have insurance. Failure to do so could eliminate you from getting other forms of assistance, including grants. The SBA will begin processing your loan application before insurance claims are settled.
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SBA representatives are available at any Disaster Recovery Center to issue applications, answer questions, help victims complete their applications and accept completed applications. Questions can also be answered by calling the SBA Helpline at 1-800-359-2227.
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SBA offers loans up to $200,000 to repair disaster damaged primary residences. Homeowners and renters are eligible for loans up to $40,000 to replace personal property such as furniture and clothing.
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Loans to businesses of all sizes and non-profit organizations are available up to $1.5 million to repair damage to real estate, machinery and equipment, and inventory. Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are also available to small businesses unable to pay bills or meet operating expenses.
- Interest rates can be as low as 2.875 percent for homeowners and renters and 2.750 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based upon each applicant's financial condition. The SBA mitigation program allows loans to be increased by as much as 20 percent, to protect the damaged real estate from possible future disasters of the same kind.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE PROVIDED:
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TEMPORARY HOUSING - Money to rent a different place to live or a temporary housing unit, when rental properties are not available.
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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 loan before receiving other assistance.
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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.
- Applicants may also be eligible for other types of assistance such as Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling and Disaster Tax Assistance.
FEMA INFORMATION
After you have applied for assistance, the FEMA Disaster Application and Information Services toll-free line, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585, is a very useful resource. You may ask about the status of your application or how money from various assistance programs may be used, get information on the flood insurance program, or get materials on low-cost ways to reduce future disaster damages.
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: Friday, 30-Apr-2004 15:17:44