Wisconsin Disaster Assistance Tops Two Million Dollars
Release Date: September 5, 2007
Release Number: 1719-005
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LA CROSSE, Wis. -- More than $2 million in disaster assistance has been approved in the nine days since President Bush issued a major disaster declaration for five Wisconsin counties according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
More than 1,600 households in the federally declared disaster counties of Crawford, La Crosse, Richland, Sauk and Vernon have applied for assistance. Individuals may register for assistance online at www.fema.gov anytime 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 may also call those numbers to check on the status or update their applications.
A total of $2.1 million in financial assistance has been approved for Wisconsin 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. Over 1,100 homes have been inspected during the nine days since the disaster was declared.
As of Sept. 4, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued 1,160 home loan and 312 business loan applications. 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.
SBA can provide low-interest loans to homeowners, renters and businesses of any size for property losses not fully covered by insurance. In addition, small businesses may receive loans to help provide working capital funds to recover from the disasters economic impact.
Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) are open for disaster victims to meet face-to-face with representatives from various assistance agencies. A total of 506 residents have visited DRCs set up in the disaster-affected areas to help meet the needs of disaster victims. All sites are open everyday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. until further notice, unless otherwise noted:
- Crawford County DRC, North Crawford High School, 47050 County Road X, Soldiers Grove, WI 54655
- La Crosse DRC,Town of Shelby Town Hall, 2801 Ward Ave., La Crosse, WI 54601
- Richland County DRC, Richland County Production Services Bldg, 301 Industrial Drive, Richland Center, WI 53581
- Vernon County DRC, Living Faith Church, 852 North Main Street, Viroqua, WI 54665, Closing Friday Sept. 7 at 7 p.m.
SBA representatives will remain on site. Their hours on Saturday, Sept. 8 will be from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The SBA will be open Sunday, Sept 9 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Thereafter, they will be open Mon-Sat, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) is available to those who lost work because of the disaster who are not generally eligible for traditional unemployment benefits such as self-employed and agricultural workers.
DUA applications are due by close of business September 26. Claims can be made during business hours by calling the Unemployment Insurance Division in Madison at 608-232-0678 or 608-266-1871, in Milwaukee at 414-438-7700 or toll free at 1-800-822-5246. A special (TTY) number for the hearing or speech impaired is also available at 1-888-393-8914.
A large number of Voluntary Agencies have been working to help senior residents and others with clean-up and serving meals in the affected regions. To request help from Voluntary Agencies or to volunteer to help, call 211.
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: Wednesday, 05-Sep-2007 13:44:45