Half A Million Dollars In Disaster Assistance Approved For Minnesotans
Release Date: May 31, 2001
Release Number: 1370-10
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St. Paul, MN -- In just two weeks since President Bush issued a major disaster declaration on May 16, nearly half a million dollars has been allocated for disaster assistance. More than $450, 000 has been approved for disaster housing grants and low--interest loans for more than a quarter of the 905 people who have already applied for disaster assistance.
According to figures released by the Minnesota Division of Emergency Management (DEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), at the close of business on May 30, the following numbers of people have applied for or received assistance. This may be just the initial assistance people may be eligible for.
- 905 Applications have been received
- 331 Verification visits made to establish the applicant's eligibility and damage loss
- 664 Applications referred for Disaster Housing Assistance
- 234 Disaster housing grants approved, totaling $282,467
- 8 SBA low--interest loans approved, totaling $167,900
- 119 People who visited one of the nine Disaster Recovery Centers
Note: See county breakdown of disaster housing grants attached to this press release.
- Residents and business owners in 37 Minnesota counties, who sustained damage or losses beginning March 23 until May 29, can begin the disaster application process by calling 1--800--462--9029 or 1--800--462--7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. Phone lines will be available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The jurisdictions eligible for Individual Assistance include the counties of: Aitkin, Benton, Big Stone, Carlton, Chippewa, Clay, Dakota, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Kanabec, Lac qui Parle, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Polk, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, St. Louis, Sibley, Stearns, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, Wright, and Yellow Medicine, and the Tribal governments of Prairie Island and Upper Sioux.
- Temporary Disaster Recovery Centers opened in nine locations across the state to serve those affected by the severe winter storms, tornadoes and flooding. During the past week, 119 people stopped at the Recovery Centers to talk face--to--face with state and federal recovery specialists about disaster assistance and receive technical assistance about how they can reduce future disaster damage to their homes and property.
- U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) workshops will be open in the following locations to continue to answer questions about the disaster loan program and help people complete their SBA applications. A FEMA representative will also be at these locations for a limited time to answer applicants' questions about disaster assistance. All locations will be open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., as of today -- unless noted below.
Benton County 581 Hwy 23 NE, Foley Also open Saturday, June 2 Goodhue County 885 East 7th St, Red Wing Also open Saturday, June 2 Washington County 1520 S. St. Croix Trail, Lakeland Opens Saturday, June 2 Chippewa County 629 North 11th St., Montevideo Hours are 8 a.m. -- 4:30 p.m. Winona County East 4th and LaFayette, Winona Opens Saturday, June 2, Hours are 8 a.m. -- 5 p.m. Stevens County 722 Iowa Ave., Morris Opens Monday, June 4 Freeborn County 221 West Main Street; Glenville Opens Monday, June 4 St. Louis County 520 West Superior, Duluth Opens Monday, June 4 Friday hours: 10 a.m. -- 5:30 p.m. - The SBA has issued 439 loan applications to homeowners/renters and 102 to business owners. Officials urge applicants to complete their loan paperwork as soon as possible, even if they have not received a final settlement from their insurance company. If the loan application is not returned it will delay other forms of disaster assistance.
- Community Relations field officers are canvassing communities in the 26 new counties added to the disaster declaration on May 29 for individual assistance. They will be offering individuals and small business owners information about available disaster assistance programs. They will also meet with representatives of community--based agencies, community leaders, and public officials. When Community Relations staff identify unmet needs, information will be communicated to the state or federal staff best able to respond.
- Damage inspectors are now in the field visiting people who have filed applications for assistance. So far, 331 inspections have taken place in the affected counties. Residents who have applied for disaster assistance can expect to hear from one or more inspectors who will schedule a visit to look at damaged property. Applicants should ask for identification from anyone identifying themselves as damage inspectors. All inspectors carry official photo identification and do not charge anything for this service.
Last Modified: Thursday, 23-Oct-2003 09:08:13