Illinois Disaster Assistance Reaches $650,000
Release Date: May 7, 2004
Release Number: 1513-012
» More Information on Illinois Severe Storms and Tornadoes
OTTAWA, Ill. -- A total of $650,870 in grants and low-interest disaster loans has been approved for disaster assistance in Illinois since the Presidential declaration of April 23, according to figures released today by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA).
The following is an update of recovery activities as of close of business Thursday, May 6:
- 551 individuals from the declared counties of Kankakee, LaSalle, Putnam and Will had called to apply for assistance
- 352 people had visited the Disaster Recovery Centers in Granville, Joliet and Utica
- 75 temporary rental assistance grants were approved, totaling $131,856
- 6 emergency essential repair grants were approved, totaling $29,577
- 42 Other Needs Assistance grants were approved, totaling $132,537 - may include grants for medical, dental, funeral, personal property, transportation and other eligible expenses
- 7 U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans were approved, totaling $356,900
- 518 U.S. SBA low-interest disaster loan applications were issued: 410 to homeowners, 108 to business owners
Application and Helpline Numbers Closed Sunday
Disaster recovery officials urge anyone who suffered damages or loss from the severe storms and tornadoes that occurred between April 20 and 23 to apply for assistance by calling the FEMA toll-free registration number 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). Those with speech or hearing impairment can call TTY 1-800-462-7585. Both lines are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday.
Individuals may check on the status of their application, update their current information, or request general assistance information by calling those same numbers.
One Day Remaining to Visit Disaster Recovery Center in Granville
The Disaster Recovery Center in Granville at the American Legion Hall, 209 North McCoy St., will be closing Saturday, May 8, at 7 p.m. and an SBA Workshop will be opening in the same location on Monday, May 10.
Information on disaster assistance and ways to reduce future disaster damages will continue to be available at the temporary Disaster Recovery Centers in Joliet and Utica, open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday, until further notice at:
- Bicentennial Park, 201 West Jefferson, Joliet
- Waltham Elementary School, 248 West Canal Street, Utica
The SBA Workshop in Granville will be open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, May 10 through Thursday, May 13. SBA representatives will be available to assist applicants filling out their SBA loan applications and to answer any questions. A FEMA representative will also be on site at the SBA Workshop to answer any questions about disaster assistance.
Return U.S. Small Business Administration Loan Applications
Recovery 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 currently available at the Disaster Recovery Centers, and at the SBA Workshop in Granville starting Monday, for applicants who need assistance completing their loan paperwork.
Disaster Legal Assistance
Volunteer attorneys are providing free, disaster-related legal assistance to individuals affected by the April 20 - 23 severe storms and tornadoes. The service, coordinated through the American Bar Association (ABA) Young Lawyers Division and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is available by calling 1-800-467-0385 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Persons in the disaster counties may ask for help for questions about insurance claims, home repair contracts, consumer protection matters, landlord-tenant concerns, mortgage foreclosure and debt collection problems. Advice or referrals are also provided for replacing wills, drafting powers of attorney and other important legal documents damaged or lost in the tornadoes.
If you have any questions concerning your disaster assistance application, you should call the FEMA toll-free numbers 1-800-621-FEMA (TTY 1-800-462-7585).
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Friday, 07-May-2004 15:40:51