Federal Disaster Assistance Surpasses $90 Million 

Release Date: October 6, 2006
Release Number: 1649-074

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HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Three months after storms impacted the Commonwealth in late June, state and federal agencies continue to provide assistance. Although the application deadline has ended, assistance will continue to be disbursed to eligible applicants who registered by the October deadline.

22 22 counties were designated eligible to receive Individual Assistance (IA). These include Berks, Bradford, Bucks, Carbon, Chester , Columbia , Dauphin, Franklin , Lackawanna , Lancaster , Lebanon , Luzerne, Monroe , Montgomery , Montour, Northampton , Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne , and Wyoming . Forms of assistance can include temporary housing, home repair for damage caused by the disaster that is not covered by insurance, under the Individuals and Households Program. Additional forms can include personal property replacement, transportation, medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial costs and other miscellaneous expenses
25 25 counties were approved for Public Assistance (PA) funds. The program allows FEMA to help states, local governments and certain eligible non-profit organizations recover from a declared disaster. Eligible categories include debris removal, emergency protective measures, roads and bridges, water control facilities, the restoration of infrastructure to pre-disaster conditions, publicly owned utilities and parks and recreational facilities and other items. The counties of Adams, Armstrong, Berks, Bradford, Bucks, Carbon, Chester , Columbia , Franklin , Indiana , Lackawanna , Lebanon , Luzerne, Monroe , Montour, Northampton , Northumberland, Perry, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne , and Wyoming are eligible for the program.
4,264 4,264 Pennsylvanians received assistance from 20 mobile and fixed Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) during the time they were in operation throughout the disaster areas.
12,053 A total of 12,053 Pennsylvanians registered for disaster assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free registration number or filing on line. More than 48% of the applications received were from the four hard hit counties of Columbia , Luzerne, Schuylkill and Susquehanna.
$121,846 $121,846 in Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been provided to 176 eligible applicants.
$228,273 FEMA approved a $228,273 Crisis Counseling grant for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The program helps disaster victims recognize normal stress reactions and emotions caused or aggravated by a disaster, and regain control over themselves and their environment.
$23.4 million More than $23.4 million in federal funds has been obligated for Public Assistance (PA) projects. FEMA awards grants to assist state and local governments and certain private non-profit entities repair or rebuild vital infrastructure lost or damaged due to a disaster. FEMA pays seventy-five percent of the costs for projects while the Commonwealth has committed to pay the non-federal share of twenty-five percent.
$19.5 million

FEMA has provided more than $19.5 million to Pennsylvania flood victims for housing and other needs assistance through the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) .

  • 7,430 assistance checks , totaling $16.9 million, have been disbursed to Pennsylvania victims in the form of rental assistance and home repair or replacement grants.
  • $2.6 million has been disbursed to 2,784 Pennsylvanians from the Other Needs Assistance program (ONA) . ONA grants provide assistance to disaster victims to pay for serious, disaster-related needs not covered under any other programs.
  • Currently FEMA is providing 137 travel trailers and 15 mobile homes to residents unable to live in their damaged homes
$48 million

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved 1,363 disaster assistance loans to homeowners, renters, and businesses totaling more than $48 million.

  • More than $38 million to homeowners and renters.
  • $10 million to businesses.

FEMA's temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan.  However, an applicant must complete an SBA loan application to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 10-Oct-2006 07:15:46