Over $5.6 Million To Hoosiers In Disaster Assistance 

Release Date: February 11, 2005
Release Number: 1573-021

» More Information on Indiana Severe Winter Storms and Flooding

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- A total of $5,669,074 in grants has been approved for disaster assistance for nearly half the applicants in Indiana since the Presidential declaration on January 21, according to figures released today by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Indiana State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). Disaster officials added that the number of approved claims will continue to rise as more applications are processed.

The following is an update of recovery activities as of close of business Thursday, February 10.

Application and Helpline Numbers Continue to Operate

Individuals, families and business owners who suffered losses in the declared counties should apply for assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for those with hearing or speech impairment. These numbers are available 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week until further notice. Multilingual operators are available to take your call. Individuals with Internet access now have the option to apply on FEMA's website at www.fema.gov, where valuable recovery information is also available. The application deadline is Tuesday, March 22.

Individuals may check on the status of their application, update their current information, or request general assistance information by calling those same toll-free numbers.

Individuals and Households Program

Individuals and families whose permanent homes were damaged or destroyed by the recent severe winter storms and flooding that began January 1, and are in one of the 85 declared counties in Indiana, may be eligible for the Individuals and Households Program. This assistance may be used for temporary disaster housing assistance; repairing disaster-damaged, uninsured homes to a safe, sanitary and functional condition and replacement grants for serious, disaster-related needs and expenses not covered by insurance or other assistance programs.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

Residents of the 85 disaster-declared counties who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster have two more weeks to apply for disaster unemployment Assistance. Eligible persons include: self-employed, farmers and others who are out of work as a direct result of the disaster and do not normally qualify for unemployment benefits. Those interested in disaster unemployment assistance should call 1-888-WORKONE or log on to the Department of Workforce Development web site at www.workforce.IN.gov/dwd/. The deadline to apply for DUA for all 85 counties is February 26, 2005.

Crisis Counseling Program

Crisis Counseling Program has been approved and will utilize Project Aftermath. The program is administered by the State Department of Mental Health and Addiction and funded by FEMA with a grant of $101,982. The program is funded through March 21 and provides counseling for those affected by the severe winter storms and flooding. Those interested in crisis counseling should call 1-800-564-6460. The phone line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The SBA has issued 3,884 loan applications to homeowners, renters and/or business owners. Officials urge applicants to complete their loan paperwork as soon as possible, even if they have not received a final settlement from their insurance company. If the loan application is not returned it will delay other forms of disaster assistance. SBA representatives are available at all Disaster Recovery Centers and SBA Disaster Outreach Centers to help applicants who need assistance completing their loan paperwork.

Six New Disaster Recovery Center Locations Announced

Six Disaster Recovery Centers are being opened this week by federal, state, and county officials throughout the state for disaster victims to meet face-to-face with representatives from various assistance agencies. Opening on Monday, February 14 at 1 p.m. are:

Some current DRCs will become SBA Disaster Outreach Centers (DOCs) on February 14. The outreach centers will provide SBA assistance with loan information. The new operating hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and a FEMA representative will be available to answer questions. These outreach centers will remain open until further notice. The locations are:

The Vigo County DRC at South Vigo High School on 7th St. in Terre Haute will become an SBA Disaster Outreach Center and will relocate to The EMA building at 934 S. 4th St. in Terra Haute, IN 47807.

Last Modified: Friday, 11-Feb-2005 17:25:15