Disaster Application Deadline Approaches 

Two Weeks Remaining to Apply for Individual Disaster Assistance

Release Date: March 7, 2005
Release Number: 1573-034

» More Information on Indiana Severe Winter Storms and Flooding

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- Residents and business owners in the 85 disaster-declared counties who sustained damage from the severe winter storms and flooding that occurred between January 1 and February 11 have only two weeks left to apply for disaster assistance. March 22 is the last day applications will be accepted by phone or via the Internet for individual assistance.

“We want people to understand that this is merely an application deadline,” said Ron Sherman, federal coordinating officer. “For individuals who have already applied, their cases will continue to be processed. New applications will not be accepted after the March 22 deadline.”

Loan applications to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for disaster-related losses to real and personal property and businesses of all sizes must also be submitted by that date.

More than $10.2 million has been approved for individuals impacted by the disaster. To date, 12,702 individuals have applied for disaster assistance in the state.

Federal and state disaster recovery officials urge those who have not done so to apply as soon as possible. There are two easy ways to begin the application process. You may call FEMA’s toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) (or TTY 1-800-462-7585 for the speech and hearing impaired). Both numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday until further notice, and multilingual operators are also available to answer your call. Residents with Internet access now have the option to apply on the agency’s English language website at http://www.fema.gov (upper right hand corner).

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and effectively manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.

Last Modified: Monday, 07-Mar-2005 16:20:57