Disaster Aid For New Hampshire Tops $3.5 Million
Release Date: May 16, 2007
Release Number: 1695-013
» More Information on New Hampshire Severe Storms and Flooding
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. More than $3.5 million in grants and low interest disaster loans have been approved to help New Hampshire residents who suffered losses as a result of the noreaster that struck New England one month ago, according to figures released today by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the New Hampshire Bureau of Emergency Management (HSEM).
The following is a summary of ongoing recovery efforts, as of close of business May 15:
- 1,470 individuals have applied for assistance in the six New Hampshire counties designated for individual assistance.
- $2,168,704 in Housing Assistance has been approved for 803 applicants, to cover rental assistance, temporary lodging, and repairs to make the home safe and sanitary.
- $146,002 in Other Needs Assistance has been approved for 113 applicants, to cover personal property loss, medical or dental costs and other serious disaster-related expenses, not covered by insurance.
- $1,237,700 in loans have been approved by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for homeowners and businesses. To date, 1,221 home loan and 154 business loan applications have been issued.
- 568 people have visited one of the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) that opened in the disaster-affected areas to help meet the needs of disaster victims.
Assistance for Recovery Only a Phone Call Away
The FEMA application and helpline continues to serve the residents of New Hampshire. Individuals, families and business owners who suffered losses in Belknap, Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham and Strafford should apply for assistance by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairment, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Individuals with Internet access may apply at www.fema.gov. The application deadline is June 26.
Disaster Legal Services, coordinated through the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and FEMA, are available by calling 1-866-918-2762. The number can be accessed 24 hours a day. If the caller is asked to leave a message, the call will be returned within 24-48 hours. Persons in the disaster-designated counties may ask for help with flood-related questions about insurance claims, home repair contracts, consumer protection matters, landlord-tenant concerns, mortgage foreclosure and other disaster-related legal issues.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to those who lost work because of the disaster. DUA is also available to the self-employed and agricultural workers, who are not generally eligible for traditional unemployment benefits. Applications are due by close of business June 1 and can be made by calling the NH Employment Security (NHES) at 1-800-468-1608 to open a claim, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Disaster Assistance Helps Communities, too.
Not only are federal and state dollars helping individuals and families recover from the flooding, but communities are being helped as federal and state recovery officials work with local governments in making damage assessments of roads and public buildings for reimbursement under the Public Assistance program.
Applicant briefings, held to inform local officials about the reimbursement process, are nearly complete in all 10 counties eligible for assistance to restore infrastructure. To date, 181 requests for public assistance from New Hampshire local governments have been received by FEMA, and teams of federal and state Public Assistance officers are meeting with local officials to document response and recovery costs that may be eligible for reimbursement.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management is responsible for coordinating the state's emergency response to major natural and manmade disasters.
Last Modified: Thursday, 17-May-2007 13:59:27