Twenty--Two Additional Minnesota Counties To Receive Disaster Assistance 

Release Date: May 29, 2001
Release Number: 1370-09

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St. Paul, MN -- Twenty--two counties have been added to the disaster declaration issued by President Bush on May 16, making a total of 53 Minnesota counties eligible for some type of state and federal assistance as a result of the severe winter storms, flooding and tornadoes which began March 23.

People who suffered damage in the following newly--added counties are encouraged to apply for individual assistance by calling the toll--free application number 1 800 462--9029. The new counties eligible for individual assistance include: Aitkin, Big Stone, Carlton, Clay, Dakota, Kanabec, Lac qui Parle, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Norman, Olmsted, Otter Tail, Pine, Polk, Ramsey, Redwood, Renville, Rice, Sibley, Stearns, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wilkin and Wright. Some of these counties were listed in the original declaration for other forms of assistance.

Today's amendment to the disaster declaration also makes public assistance programs available to local governments and non--profit organizations in Aitkin, Becker, Benton, Brown, Carlton, Douglas, Kanabec, Kittson, Lake, Le Sueur, Marshall, Mille Lacs, Nicollet, Otter Tail, Pine, Pope, Scott, Sibley, Stearns and Wright. With this designation, federal funds are made available to state and local governments in the specified counties for the repair and replacement of disaster--damaged public facilities.

"These additions to the declaration were made following a review of damage assessment information submitted by the Minnesota Division of Emergency Management regarding costs and damages suffered by local residents and communities as a result of the severe storms and flooding," James Roche, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) federal coordinating officer, said.

A toll--free application telephone number is now operational for those in the newly declared counties for individual assistance who suffered property damage or loss from the severe winter storms, flooding and tornadoes. This number can be used to apply for a wide range of state and federal disaster assistance programs such as funding for disaster housing assistance, U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low--interest loans for individuals and businesses to repair or replace damaged property, disaster unemployment assistance, and grants for serious needs and necessary expenses not met by other programs.

Roche said those impacted may apply for assistance immediately by calling the toll--free registration number, 1--800--462--9029, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, until further notice. Those with a speech or hearing impairment may call a special TTY number at 1--800--462--7585.

"Phone--in application has proven to be the simplest, quickest and most efficient way to apply. Your phone call is your application for state and federal assistance available under the disaster declaration," said Kevin Leuer, state coordinating officer and director, Minnesota DEM. When calling to apply, have the following information available to cut down on application processing time:

According to Roche, individuals who have suffered damage or loss and have unmet needs are encouraged to call the application number immediately. "Even if you don't have all the information necessary or it was lost in the flooding or storms, don't hesitate to call and don't prejudge your eligibility," he said. "It's important that all affected residents get the assistance they are entitled to."

The initial counties declared for individual assistance include: Benton, Chippewa, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, St. Louis, Stevens, Wabasha, Washington, Winona, and Yellow Medicine and the Tribal governments of Prairie Island and Upper Sioux.

The counties originally made eligible for public assistance with the May 16th disaster declaration include Big Stone, Carver, Chippewa, Chisago, Clay, Dakota, Freeborn, Goodhue, Grant, Houston, Lac qui Parle, McLeod, Meeker, Morrison, Norman, Polk, Ramsey, Red Lake, Redwood, Renville, St. Louis, Stevens, Swift, Todd, Traverse, Wabasha, Washington, Wilkin, Winona, and Yellow Medicine and the Tribal governments of Prairie Island and Upper Sioux.

Disaster Assistance Program Information

When disaster strikes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency administers a number of disaster assistance programs and coordinates the efforts of many other federal agencies that provide services to help people through the recovery process. The types of assistance that are available follow:

Federal Emergency Management Agency Programs

Disaster Housing Assistance: Housing assistance to individuals and families whose permanent homes were damaged or destroyed by the storm. Types of aid include grants for: (1) alternate rental housing; (2) emergency repairs needed to make a residence habitable; and (3) mortgage or rental assistance in cases where the disaster has caused extreme economic hardship.

Individual and Family Grant Program: Provides grants to individuals and families to meet serious disaster--related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance or other federal, state or voluntary agency disaster assistance programs.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance: Weekly benefits are available to those individuals out of work due to the disaster, including self--employed persons, farm owners, and others not usually covered under regular unemployment insurance.

U.S. Small Business Administration Programs

Home/Personal Property Disaster Loans: Disaster loans to homeowners and renters for restoring or replacing underinsured or uninsured disaster--damaged real and personal property. Available in declared counties.

Business Disaster Loans: Disaster loans to repair or replace destroyed or damaged business facilities, inventory, machinery, equipment, etc., not covered by insurance. These loans are available to large and small businesses in declared counties. Loans also may be available only to small businesses for working capital to assist them during the disaster recovery period. These loans are available in declared and contiguous counties.

Other Agency Programs

Tax Assistance: Federal: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows underinsured or uninsured casualty losses that were suffered on home, personal property and household goods to be deducted on income tax returns. Amended returns may be filed for a previous year's filing so that disaster victims can receive a tax refund. Call the IRS at 1 800 829--1040 State: Assistance and information on casualty loss deductions on state income tax returns can also be obtained.

Farm Assistance: Emergency loans or grants to farmers who were operating and managing a farm at the time of the disaster. Loans are limited to the amount necessary to compensate for actual losses to essential property and/or production capacity.

Last Modified: Thursday, 23-Oct-2003 09:09:39