More Than $3.8 Million Approved
Release Date: October 30, 2007
Release Number: 1729-025
» More Information on Illinois Severe Storms and Flooding
ROCKFORD, Ill. -- More than $3.8 million in disaster assistance has been approved in the five weeks since President Bush issued a major disaster declaration for six Illinois counties according to officials with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Illinois businesses, families and individuals who suffered damages from the Aug. 20-31 severe storms and flooding are eligible to apply for disaster assistance funding and low interest loans.
Over 1,546 households in the federally declared disaster counties of DeKalb, Grundy, Kane, Lake, LaSalle and Will 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, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Applicants may also call to check on their status or update their applications.
Over $3.2 million in financial assistance has been approved for Illinois residents under the Individuals and Households Program. This assistance may be used for temporary disaster housing; the repair of disaster-damaged homes and for serious, disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs. Over 1,361 homes have been inspected in the first three weeks since the disaster was declared.
As of Oct. 29, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $591,600, issued 1,156 home and 135 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.
FEMA coordinates the federal governments 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, 31-Oct-2007 09:26:08