Governor Culver: Now Is The Time To Apply For Federal Disaster Assistance 

Governor, FEMA remind Iowans have only 25 days to apply for federal individual assistance

Release Date: October 6, 2008
Release Number: 1763-189

» More Information on Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding

DES MOINES, Iowa -- Iowans who were impacted by this spring's devastating floods and tornadoes have a little more breathing room to apply for federal and state aid when the application deadline was moved to October 31.

"Now is the time to apply for federal individual disaster assistance through FEMA," said Governor Culver.  "Iowans have until October 31 to apply for this important program.  I encourage all Iowans who have sustained any damage during the storms and floods of 2008 to call 1-800-621-FEMA."

FEMA officials are also encouraging those in the disaster-declared counties not to procrastinate in filing for aid.

"We're pleased to work with the officials at Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division to extend the deadline so Iowans in the disaster-declared counties can get the assistance they need and deserve," said Bill Vogel, FEMA's federal coordinating officer.

"However, I would encourage everyone not to wait until the last minute to avoid any delay in the process."

There are two easy ways to begin the registration process.  Iowans may call FEMA's toll-free number; 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), TTY 1-800-462-7585.  Both numbers are available from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. (CDT), seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are also available to answer calls. Residents with Internet access have the option to register on FEMA's website at www.fema.gov where valuable recovery information is also available.

Disaster assistance can include: funding for temporary disaster housing assistance; U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans for individuals and business owners to repair or replace real or personal property; replacement grants to help meet serious disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs; and, disaster unemployment assistance.

Officials noted that the October 31 deadline only applies for the FEMA program, and emphasized applying for the FEMA program is a necessary step in receiving aid from the Jumpstart Iowa Disaster Recovery program for homeowners.  This Jumpstart Iowa program can provide up to $72,000 for down payment assistance, repair and rehabilitation, and interim-mortgage assistance.  The programs are available to anyone who has sustained damage and who has applied for assistance through FEMA or the SBA.

Renter, homeowners and businesses in the following 78 counties are eligible to register:  Adair, Adams, Allamakee, Appanoose, Audubon, Benton, Black Hawk, Boone, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cass, Cedar, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clarke, Clayton, Clinton, Crawford, Dallas, Davis, Decatur, Delaware, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Fremont, Greene, Grundy, Guthrie, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Harrison, Henry, Howard, Humboldt, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Kossuth, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Madison, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Mills, Mitchell, Monona, Monroe, Montgomery, Muscatine, Page, Polk, Pottawattamie, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Scott, Story, Tama, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Washington, Webster, Winnebago, Winneshiek, Worth and Wright.

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.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 07-Oct-2008 13:30:29