More than $21.6 Million in Assistance for Missourians
Release Date: June 9, 2003
Release Number: 1463-53
» More Information on Missouri Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Flooding
Springfield, MO -- To date, more than $21.6 million in disaster assistance has been approved for Missourians in response to the May tornadoes, severe storms and flooding, federal and state disaster officials said today.
The following summarizes disaster assistance efforts to date:
- Of the $21,630,589 approved in grants and low-interest loans for Missourians affected by the May disaster, $2,989,868 is for Housing Assistance grants for minimal home repairs, direct housing, and temporary rental assistance not covered by insurance. Another $3,160,221 in grants has been approved for necessary expenses and serious needs caused by the disaster. This may include medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation, moving and storage expenses.
- The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $15,480,500 in low-interest loans to Missourians affected by the disaster. Low-interest loans from the SBA are the primary form of federal disaster assistance for long-term recovery for homeowners, renters and non-farm businesses of all sizes.
- To date, 5,937 individuals in disaster-declared Missouri counties have called the toll-free registration number, (800) 621-FEMA (3362) and the TTY number 800-462-7585. Applications are taken by phone, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Multi-lingual operators are available. The last day to apply to FEMA for individual disaster assistance is July 7, 2003.
- To date, 2,675 home inspections have been completed by FEMA inspectors. If an applicant is also being considered for an SBA loan, he or she will receive a second inspection by SBA.
- A total of 267 FEMA and non-FEMA personnel are currently deployed throughout Missouri, working on the recovery effort.
- The deadlines for filing claims for Disaster Unemployment Assistance are June 11, June 18 and July 7, depending on the county in which the applicant lives or works. More information is available at local unemployment offices or by calling 800-788-4002.
- Crisis Counseling services are coordinated by the Missouri Department of Mental Health. Those interested in crisis counseling should call 800-494-7355 or 800-811-4760.
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) provides special tax relief for affected Missouri taxpayers, including individuals and businesses in the disaster area, those whose tax records are located in a disaster area, and relief workers. For more information, call the IRS at 800-829-1040.
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is offering support to homeowners and low-income renters who live in disaster-declared counties and whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the May disaster. HUD's Section 203(h) program enables the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to insure mortgages for disaster victims who have lost their homes and are in the process of rebuilding or buying another home. Borrowers are eligible for 100 percent financing, including closing costs. HUD is also granting a 90-day moratorium on foreclosures of FHA-insured homes, a move potentially affecting some 5,000 homeowners. In addition, HUD is permitting the State of Missouri to redirect Community Development Block Grants (CDGB) and HOME funds for disaster recovery efforts. For information on FHA mortgages, call 800-543-9378. For information on HUD funding for communities, call 913-551-5492. For all other information about HUD's disaster programs, visit the HUD website, www.hud.gov, or call 913-551-6606.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has various programs that may be available to help agricultural producers who suffered disaster-related losses. Emergency Loans are available from the USDA Farm Services Agency, which also coordinates the Emergency Conservation Program. USDA Rural Development has loan programs for individual homeowners, communities, businesses, and not-for-profit groups. Limited grants may also be available from Rural Development. USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service provides direct technical and financial assistance to reduce hazards to life and property through its Emergency Watershed Program. For information about these and other programs, farmers, ranchers, and residents of rural communities should contact their local USDA offices.
- Disaster legal services include assistance with insurance claims, landlord/tenant and other housing problems, home repair contracts, and replacement of legal documents. For information about free disaster legal services, call 888-234-5695.
- 2,557 people have visited Disaster Recovery Centers established throughout Missouri to learn about disaster assistance programs. Disaster Recovery Centers are still open for a limited period in Canton, Carl Junction, Desoto, Jackson, Mt. Vernon, Stockton, and Kansas City. Those affected by the disaster are encouraged to visit a center to talk face-to-face with a recovery specialist and to check on the status of their applications. For the address of the Disaster Recovery Center nearest you, call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The Kansas City DRC will close at 6 p.m. on June 12.
- Governmental entities and eligible non-profit entities in the following 31 Missouri counties may now apply for assistance from FEMA's Public Assistance (Infrastructure) Program: Barton, Bollinger, Camden, Cape Girardeau, Cass, Cedar, Christian, Crawford, Clay, Dallas, Franklin, Gasconade Greene, Howard, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Lawrence, Lewis, Maries, Miller, Oregon, Osage, Pike, Platte, Polk, Pulaski, Scott, and Washington.
- The following is a list of the 74 Missouri counties where residents are eligible to apply to FEMA for Individual Assistance, followed by the number of applications received to date per county:
| Disaster Counties | Total Applications Received | Disaster Counties | Total Applications Received | Disaster Counties | Total Applications Received |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audrain | 1 | Franklin | 111 | Osage | 9 |
| Barry | 31 | Gasconade | 0 | Perry | 0 |
| Barton | 55 | Greene | 172 | Pettis | 10 |
| Bates | 1 | Henry | 2 | Phelps | 1 |
| Benton | 1 | Hickory | 3 | Pike | 28 |
| Bollinger | 3 | Howard | 43 | Platte | 135 |
| Boone | 32 | Iron | 1 | Polk | 109 |
| Buchanan | 0 | Jackson | 57 | Pulaski | 42 |
| Callaway | 4 | Jasper | 575 | Ralls | 0 |
| Camden | 154 | Jefferson | 1,669 | Randolph | 0 |
| Cape Girardeau | 190 | Johnson | 7 | Ray | 2 |
| Cass | 18 | Knox | 6 | Saline | 17 |
| Cedar | 647 | Laclede | 1 | Scott | 31 |
| Chariton | 0 | Lafayette | 3 | Shelby | 11 |
| Christian | 44 | Lawrence | 550 | Ste. Genevieve | 2 |
| Clark | 1 | Lewis | 193 | St. Clair | 0 |
| Clay | 527 | Lincoln | 2 | St. Francois | 26 |
| Clinton | 0 | Marion | 10 | St. Louis | 44 |
| Cole | 53 | McDonald | 4 | Stoddard | 1 |
| Cooper | 0 | Miller | 9 | Stone | 2 |
| Crawford | 14 | Moniteau | 2 | Taney | 2 |
| Dade | 1 | Monroe | 4 | Vernon | 26 |
| Dallas | 78 | Montgomery | 2 | Washington | 148 |
| Dent | 0 | Morgan | 5 | Webster | 0 |
| Douglas | 0 | Newton | 5 | TOTAL | 5,937 |
Last Modified: Tuesday, 10-Jun-2003 11:08:03