Don't Miss Out on Disaster Assistance
Release Date: September 3, 2007
Release Number: 1717-010
» More Information on Minnesota Severe Storms and Flooding
ROCHESTER, Minn. -- Minnesota residents affected by recent severe storms and flooding should make sure they have applied for all the federal assistance for which they may be eligible, according to officials of Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management (FEMA).
Only those who have applied to FEMA, may be eligible for the variety of individual assistance programs made available to the following six Minnesota counties now included in the Aug. 23 presidential disaster declaration: Fillmore, Houston, Olmsted, Steele, Wabasha and Winona.
"The only way to potentially get assistance is to apply," according to Federal Coordinating Officer Carlos Mitchell. To apply, call FEMA toll-free at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech-or hearing-impaired. Phone lines are open daily from 7 a.m. to midnight (local time) seven days a week. Application also may be made on-line at www.fema.gov.
Here are some key points to remember:
- Even if you have received assistance from the American Red Cross, you MUST still apply directly to FEMA for federal disaster assistance.
The Red Cross is there in the first days after a disaster to provide for immediate needs, including food, clothing and shelter. But FEMA programs are designed to help with long-term recovery, which starts with housing assistance. Federal assistance comes in the form of grants or U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, but applicants must apply specifically to each in order to be considered for eligibility.
- Even if you have insurance, you may still be eligible for disaster assistance.
Even though your flood insurance policy may cover most of the cost to repair your home, there may be some things insurance does not fully cover. Federal disaster assistance may be able to help fill the gaps in insurance coverage.
- You don't have to wait for your insurance adjuster's inspection or settlement before seeking federal assistance or beginning repairs on your home.
You should begin making repairs on your home as soon as possible to return it to a safe, sanitary condition. Be sure to keep all paperwork and receipts pertaining to work done, and never let any work begin before first obtaining a written estimate. Have insurance settlement papers handy when you apply for federal assistance. This information is necessary in order to determine what unmet needs you may have.
- If you have received an SBA loan application and have not completed and returned it, this could delay other forms of disaster assistance.
In a disaster declaration, the SBA is the primary source of financial assistance. If you have received an SBA loan application, you must complete and return it to be considered for other grants and programs. If you do not qualify for a loan, you will be referred for other federal or state assistance, such as FEMA's Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program, which covers disaster-related costs such as furniture, medical and dental expenses, funeral and burial expenses, and transportation expenses. Applicants will not be considered for ONA until they have applied to and been denied by SBA. You can get help by calling the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 or on-line at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
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, 04-Sep-2007 08:32:07