Disaster Recovery Assistance Over $5.3 Million 

Release Date: March 28, 2005
Release Number: 1580-032

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A total of $5,373,456.28 in Individual and Households Program (IHP) grants has been approved for disaster assistance in Ohio since the presidential declaration of February 15, according to figures released today by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA). The presidential declaration covers the period of December 22, 2004 through February 1, 2005. The deadline for applications for disaster assistance is April 18, 2005.

The following is an update of recovery activities as of close of business Sunday, March 27:

U.S. Small Business Administration

The SBA has issued low-interest loan applications to homeowners, renters and business owners throughout Ohio. Officials urge affected residents to complete and return 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, eligibility for other forms of disaster assistance may be affected. SBA representatives will be available at the Disaster Recovery Centers listed below to assist with completion of disaster loan applications.

The following Disaster Recovery Centers opened Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 1 p.m.

In Bellefontaine - Logan County
Ohio Highpoint Career Center, House #4, 2280 State Route 540

In Bucyrus - Crawford County
Crawford County Courthouse Conference Room, 112 East Mansfield Street

For more information about SBA's disaster loan program, visit a Disaster Recovery Center or call the Disaster Area Office at 1-800-659-2955 or TTY 1-800-877-8339 for the speech or hearing-impaired. The filing deadline for physical damage applications is April 18, 2005.

Registration and Helpline Numbers Continue to Operate; Online Registration Available

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.) The special number for those with hearing or speech impairment is TTY 1 800 462-7585. These numbers are available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, until further notice. Individuals may check on the status of their application, update their current information, or request general assistance information by calling those same numbers.

People can also register for assistance online at www.fema.gov

Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA)

The Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program provides weekly benefits to those individuals out of work due to the disaster, including self-employed agricultural and hourly workers, self-employed business people, business owners unable to provide services and other unemployed workers who are out of work as a direct result of the disaster and who do not otherwise qualify for unemployment benefits. For additional information call 1-877-644-6562 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Ohio Emergency Management Agency coordinates the state's response and recovery from the State of Ohio Emergency Operations Center. One of the primary focuses of the agency is to ensure that Ohio citizens are prepared to respond to and recover from an emergency or disaster and to lead mitigation efforts against the effects of future disasters. During times of disasters, Ohio EMA coordinates activities of responding state agencies and maintains liaison with similar agencies of other states and of the federal government.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Last Modified: Monday, 28-Mar-2005 15:29:20