First Checks Approved For Disaster Victims 

Release Date: July 3, 2000
Release Number: 1334-02

» More Information on North Dakota Severe Storms And Flooding

Bismarck, ND -- Qualified residents in counties and on reservations declared eligible for state and federal disaster aid after the severe storms, flooding, and ground saturation continuing from June 12 are receiving recovery checks. More than $285,000 in Disaster Housing Assistance has been approved, less than one week after the disaster declaration.

On June 26, President Clinton declared Benson, Bottineau, Cass, Eddy, Foster, Grand Forks, Griggs, Kidder, McHenry, McLean, Nelson, Pierce, Ramsey, Ransom, Sheridan, Traill, Walsh and Wells counties and the Spirit Lake Tribal Reservation and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Reservation a major disaster area. This declaration made residents and business owners in these counties and reservations eligible to apply for various disaster assistance programs.

Disaster assistance can come in the form of grants to pay for alternate short-term housing until repairs to the damaged dwelling can be made, and/or grants to make minimal home repairs.

In addition to disaster housing assistance, other available recovery programs include: low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for homeowners, renters or business owners; grants to meet serious disaster-related needs not covered by other programs, and disaster unemployment assistance.

Unemployment payments may be available for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and who do not qualify for state benefits, such as self-employed individuals. For information about disaster unemployment assistance, please call your local job service North Dakota.

Those who sustained damage to their residence or business because of the storms, flooding and ground saturation of June 12 and following should apply for disaster assistance by calling toll-free 1-800-462-9029. Hearing or speech-impaired applicants may call TTY: 1-800-462-7585. Hours to call are daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CDT until further notice.

So far, more than 1900 people in affected counties have registered for disaster assistance. State and federal disaster recovery officials point out that renters, as well as homeowners, can apply.

Last Modified: Thursday, 13-Nov-2003 12:53:29