More Than $1 Million in Disaster Assistance Approved For New Hampshire Residents 

Release Date: May 7, 2007
Release Number: 1695-006

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PORTSMOUTH, N.H. - More than $1 million in disaster assistance has been approved in the ten days since President Bush issued a major disaster declaration for New Hampshire. Assistance is available to individuals and local governments in Grafton, Hillsborough, Merrimack, Rockingham and Strafford counties and to local governments only in Belknap, Carroll, Cheshire and Sullivan counties.

Nearly 1,000 households have applied for assistance. Individuals may register for assistance online at www.fema.gov or by calling toll-free 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. Applicants also may call those numbers to check on the status or update their applications.

A total of $1,091,058 in financial assistance has been approved for New Hampshire residents under the Individuals and Households Program. This assistance may be used for temporary disaster housing; the repair of disaster-damaged, uninsured homes to a safe, sanitary and functional condition and for serious, disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.

FEMA disaster assistance covers basic needs only and will not normally compensate those affected by disaster for their entire loss. For those with insurance, the government may help pay for basic needs not covered by insurance. FEMA's temporary housing and financial assistance 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 real estate, business losses, personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

So far, 825 home loan and 98 business loan applications have been issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA officials encourage anyone who has received an application from the SBA to turn it in as soon as possible in order to be eligible for any further assistance.

Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are open for disaster victims to meet face-to-face with representatives from various assistance agencies. A total of 273 residents have visited DRCs open in the disaster-affected areas to help meet the needs of disaster victims. All sites are open Mon. through Sat., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. until further notice unless noted.

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.

People with flood-related questions about state assistance programs can call the New Hampshire flood relief hotline at 1-800-458-2407. Businesses affected by the Nor'easter can call the Business Resource Center at the Department of Resources and Development at 1-800-417-4110.

FEMA's Public Assistance Program provides aid to state and local government agencies and certain private non-profit agencies for disaster recovery costs. To explain the assistance process for local governments, FEMA and New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) are conducting briefings around the state. Funding is available for debris removal, emergency measures taken in response to the disaster and for the repair and replacement of damaged public infrastructure. There is a 75 percent federal cost share, with the remainder the responsibility of state and local governments.

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.

N.H. Homeland Security and Emergency Management is responsible for coordinating the state’s emergency response to major natural and manmade disasters.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 08-May-2007 11:18:56